Jerry Coleby-Williams

Who is Jerry Coleby-Williams?

Jerry Coleby-Williams is an Australian conservationist, horticulturalist and plant curator. He has been a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia since 1999. He is the director of the Seedsavers Network and an Executive Member of the Queensland Conservation Council.

Coleby-Williams was born in London. He first trained with the Royal Horticultural Society before going on to study a Diploma in Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He then worked in a variety of horticultural positions around London in the private and public sector. In 1992 he emigrated to Australia, following his ongoing passion for West Australian wildflowers. This led to his work at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney as Senior Horticultural Supervisor for Displays and Connections. In this position he researched and designed the Garden's Rare and Threatened Plants Garden, which in 1999 received an award of excellence from the Australian Institute of Horticulture.

In 2003 he moved to Brisbane, Queensland in order to establish a sustainable house and garden. This house – “Bellis” - provides a model for ways in which urban Western citizens can reduce their ecological footprint, and adapt to climate change and peak oil.