Long-serving ABC star Jane Edmanson has revealed she’s stepping down from the network after nearly 40 years.
Jane, 75, has been a part of Gardening Australia as its Victorian presenter since the show’s inception in 1990.
She has the honour of being the only inaugural cast member still with the show.
The horticulturist made the announcement on Friday’s episode of Gardening Australia, telling host Costa Georgiadis: ‘It’s time.’
‘I’m retiring, although I don’t like that word. I am retiring from having done it for so many years, and it makes me feel really, really proud and humble,’ Jane revealed.
Jane added that while she was stepping down from Gardening Australia, she would still be keeping her green thumb busy.
Long-serving ABC star Jane Edmanson has revealed she’s stepping down from the network after nearly 40 years. Jane, 75, has been a part of Gardening Australia as its Victorian presenter since the show’s inception in 1990
‘It’s been a pleasure for me for so many years to present what I do on the programme, but tide’s time,’ she said.
‘I will move on and do other things within the horticultural world, and still see you and all the lovely faces on the telly. It’ll be just lovely. But the time’s right.’
Costa was quick to praise Jane and her contribution to the long-running show.
‘I want everyone at home to realise that you’ve been making gardening television for 38 years, and you’re the only remaining presenter in the team that’s been there since the first episode,’ he said.
‘It really feels like the end of an era.’
Jane jokingly replied: ‘It could be, the Paleozoic Era is finishing! It’s been so delightful, but I just know that it’s right.’
The episode served as a fitting tribute to Jane, who was surprised with a party thrown by the show’s cast and crew.
Jane said in the episode that she picked up the gardening bug from her parents and had seen remarkable changes in the horticulture industry over the years.
The horticulturist made the announcement on Friday’s episode of Gardening Australia, telling host Costa Georgiadis: ‘It’s time.’
‘I’m retiring, although I don’t like that word. I am retiring from having done it for so many years, and it makes me feel really, really proud and humble,’ Jane revealed
When I started in the nursery all those years ago, 45 years ago, picking out little plants, I had to cajole the person that I was working for because most people didn’t have women gardeners in their nurseries. So a bit of a trendsetter,’ she said.
Costa agreed, adding: ‘You certainly have been. You set a wonderful benchmark for generations. Thank you, and we’re going to miss you.’
She replied: ‘I’m going to miss everyone too, but I’ll still be watching.’
News of Jane’s Gardening Australia exit was met with heartbreak from viewers who took to social media to wish the presenter a fond farewell.
‘Well done Jane. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter. Thanks for being a great ambassador for women in horticulture,’ one viewer wrote.
‘Hard to believe that 50 years ago, women couldn’t get apprenticeships with nurseries or gardening with councils.’
Another jumped in with a similar: ‘Thank you Jane for your passion. I have grown up with you and the old Gardening Australia gang back in the 90s. Enjoy your retirement from our screens.
A third summed up the sentiment of many with: ‘I feel a bit sad.’
‘It’s been a pleasure for me for so many years to present what I do on the programme, but tide’s time,’ she added. ‘I will move on and do other things within the horticultural world, and still see you and all the lovely faces on the telly. It’ll be just lovely. But the time’s right’
The episode served as a fitting tribute to Jane, who was surprised with a party thrown by the show’s cast and crew
Jane began her career at the ABC in 1989, replacing Kevin Heinze as the presenter on gardening series Sow What, before moving to Gardening Australia in 1990
‘When I saw the promos for tonight’s program I thought it was a celebration of Jane’s many years with the program. Of course it is that, but I didn’t realise it was her last program.’
Jane began her career at the ABC in 1989, replacing Kevin Heinze as the presenter on gardening series Sow What, before moving to Gardening Australia in 1990.
She has also given hours of gardening advice over the airwaves on such stations as 2AK, 3MP and 3AW.
She has penned numerous gardening and horticulture books and was also a regular contributor to the Gardening Australia magazine.
In 2004, Jane became a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to horticulture through ‘the promotion of environmentally sustainable gardening practices, and the encouragement and education of young gardeners.’
She also earned an honorary life membership to the Horticulture Media Association of Victoria in 2013.
