Step behind the famous hedges of Coombe Yarra Valley, the cherished Australian home of Dame Nellie Melba since 1909. Nestled in the stunning Yarra Valley just 50 minutes from Melbourne, this Heritage listed estate boasts seven acres of historic gardens — originally designed with influence from William Guilfoyle — featuring terraced lawns, rare plants, an Italianate pool, rose gardens, herbaceous borders, natives, and a productive kitchen garden.
We are seeking a Gardener and Maintenance Hand to report to the Garden and Grounds Manager, assisting with the planning, maintenance, upkeep, and ongoing development of these magnificent gardens and estate grounds.
Your key mission is to ensure the gardens and grounds retain their rich historical significance while being presented at their seasonal best — ready every day for guided garden tours, weddings, events, and visitors who come to experience Melba's enduring legacy.
This is a physically active, outdoor role that demands a true 'can-do' spirit, excellent time management, seasonal flexibility, and a strong team-oriented approach.
Core Responsibilities
* Perform general garden and grounds maintenance: planting, weeding, path and debris management, watering, turf care, mowing, edging, pruning, seasonal feeding
* Maintain the productive kitchen garden within budget, including fruiting trees for estate and kitchen use
* Plan seasonally, source plants, and coordinate supplies
* Uphold Occupational Health & Safety standards
* Assist with estate-wide upkeep, minor repairs, venue readiness, and equipment maintenance/servicing
The role would suit a person within a similar gardening role, ideally in historic, estate, or public gardens
Key Personal Attributes & Competencies
* Physically fit and energetic
* High integrity, proactive, and flexible in approach
* Excellent time management and ability to juggle multiple tasks
* Strong team player who thrives in small-team and solo settings
* Passion for heritage gardens and seasonal presentation
If you are passionate about heritage horticulture, take pride in meticulous presentation, and want to play a key role in keeping Dame Nellie Melba's extraordinary gardens thriving for future generations — we want to hear from you!