At Wynnum State School, the vibrant gardens and well-maintained sports fields play a crucial role in creating a positive environment for students. This transformation is largely thanks to Eric, the school’s dedicated groundskeeper, whose journey into this essential role is as inspiring as the lush landscapes he cultivates. I had the pleasure of interviewing Eric to learn more about his background, responsibilities, and aspirations for the school grounds.

A Journey into Groundskeeping

Eric’s story begins in Wellington, where he left school to join his local council’s parks and gardens team. His passion for plants deepened while working in a nursery, but a desire for new horizons led him to Australia in 1994. Starting out in a factory job, Eric eventually established a mowing business that blossomed into a successful venture. However, seeking a change, he landed a dream position at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, where he had the freedom to make positive changes to the gardens, “It was a dream role with lots of flexibility and creative freedom. I was given the opportunity and budget to really make an impact” Eric said.

When changes in the club structure prompted him to look elsewhere, he seized the opportunity at Wynnum State School. He used the old school method of popping into the office and handing in his resume to nab the role. What began as a part-time role quickly expanded, reflecting the growing importance of his contributions to the school community.

Can you describe your main responsibilities as a school groundskeeper?

A bit of everything really, I put the flags up in the morning, collect rubbish from the car parks and grounds, plant out garden beds, mulch, weed spray, line mark out the sporting fields and mow the turf on my ride-on hustler.

In what ways do you think a well-maintained school environment affects student morale and behaviour?

I sure think it does. I often get kids coming up and thanking me for the effort I put into the garden. They say, “Thank you Mr Eric for looking after our garden”. Plus adding in tasks like the line marking has helped with managing the kids of a lunch time. Line marking has created areas for the kids to play in. Here we have a rugby field, 2 normal soccer fields and a little soccer field for the younger kids which are all very much appreciated.

Have you noticed any changes in student engagement or activity levels due to the improved condition of the grounds?

Well before I got here a lot of the gardens did not exist and the oval was full of bindis. Back then, before I got here they even used to have the bindi squad who would go around collecting them. Keeping on top of this has made it a nicer environment for the kids to safely play, now I just need to tackle the wire grass.

Fostering Community Connection

Community involvement is another cornerstone of Eric’s role. He actively participates in school events, such as setting up for the kids’ fun colour run and organizing displays for Anzac Day. The support he receives from parents is evident; they often compliment his work in the gardens: “I always get comments from the kids and their parents on how much they like what I am doing with the garden, so it is a very supportive school.”

What role do you think the school grounds play in fostering community pride and involvement?

Yeah quite a big role, parents also get involved in initiatives around the school. I was recently tasked with building a chicken coup. So, we have chickens now and parent volunteers who come around to help out. The kids love it and the local parents like being involved.

How do you incorporate sustainable practices into your maintenance routine?

We are always using cuttings in the gardens, we get recycled mulch, and the kids look after worm farms to help create liquid compost. The compost produced is used in the wider community and amongst staff for their own garden too.

What are your aspirations for improving the school grounds in the future?

Do you have a bigger piece of paper? There is so much I would like to improve but the main thing at the moment is improving the oval. I would like to give the oval a top dress to level it out and help with the weeds. Once the irrigation is working, this will also help keeping the grass green.

Eric’s dedication to his role at Wynnum State School extends beyond simple maintenance; he is a key figure in creating a nurturing environment for students and fostering community pride. Through his hard work and passion, he is not just cultivating gardens, but also cultivating connections that enrich the school community. As he continues to transform the grounds, the impact of his efforts will undoubtedly resonate for years to come.

Looking to improve your own grounds or backyard? At Rock’N’Soil we have all the tips, tricks and ‘how-to’ guides you need to keep your yard looking fabulous all year round. If you have any questions – about turf, mulch or anything else – get in touch. Our expert team is here to help!