Combining a love of community and the environment has proved an award-winning blend for Chris Webb OAM.
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However, the fifth generation local is quick to point out that his work at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens has never been about accolades.
Chris is one of eight Highlanders to be added to the Queen's Honour List on Australia Day 2020.
He has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to horticulture, particularly through the botanic gardens.
Chris became a driving force behind the development of the gardens 21 years ago, about a 12 months after the first committee was formed.
Along with his wife, Charlotte Webb OAM, he has immersed himself in the botanic gardens project.
The couple has drawn on a combined knowledge, both with career backgrounds in agricultural science, horticulture and landscape design to help shape the gardens located in Bowral.
Chris said that when he first joined the SHBG committee it was still searching for a location for the project.
He said that after about a 10 year search, with several options considered, the 33 acres on the corner of Old South and Kangaloon Roads, Bowral, were secured.
The gardens were officially opened by NSW Governor Marie Bashir in 2013.
Chris said a lot had happened since that time and he had loved watching the garden grow.
"I think 2019 was a bit of a turning point," he said.
"The garden is now open every day to the public, we have regular working bees with lots of volunteers helping, and we have secured several significant grants for projects," he said.
These grants have included funds for a playground, picnic shelter and environmental projects.
Chris said that receiving a Queen's Honour was a wonderful symbol of appreciation.
However, he said accolades were not what motivated him.
He said that working in the Southern Highlands community was something that had been done by his family for generations.
"I am passionate about community, plants and landscape, the botanic gardens is the epitome of all these passions," he said.
"I've loved seeing a dream come to fruition in a good community environmental development."
