Past Projects
The Playford Trust formerly concentrated its funding on a number of areas of horticulture. One of such projects was the research into Novel Eucalpyt Hybrids Projects at the Laidlaw Plantation. A second was support for traineeships of horticultural staff at the Port Augusta Arid Lands Botanic Gardens.
Novel Eucalypt Hybrids Project
This project involved the propagation of ornamental eucalypts and was commenced in 2002 in collaboration with the University of Adelaide and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). The Playford Trust supported the PhD of Dr Kate Delaporte in undertaking this research which had the following aims:
- to develop vegetative techniques for ornamental eucalypts;
- the genetic mapping of molecular markers - this involved the detection of genes associated with vegetative propagation, which provided a way of identifying plants that can be readily propagated.
Sponsorship of this project by the Playford Memorial Trust has received significant financial support from the late Mr Don Laidlaw AO and Mrs Margaret Laidlaw and the Frank and Hilda Perry Trust.
For more information please click here.
The Laidlaw Plantation
In 1996 the University of Adelaide honoured the Trust's foundation Chairman, the late Mr Don Laidlaw AO, naming an area of three hectares, located in the Waite Campus, The Laidlaw Plantation. This recognised Mr Laidlaw's contribution to the State and to the horticulture industry. The plantation comprises over 30 different types of eucalypt and acacia, all of which have potential as cut flowers, buds or foliage for domestic and export markets. Playford Scholars established the plantings for the purpose of their research.
Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
In past years, the Trust has been pleased to support a trainee at the Port Augusta Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. We hope that funds will be available to continue such support in the future.
To view the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens site please click here.