Interview Recording
Interview Transcript
Peter Holmes interviewed in August 2003 by Myfanwy Thompson
Synopsis
Peter talks about working as a young man with the noted gardener and garden designer, Paul Sorenson at “Mereworth”, an historic garden in the Southern Highlands. He was described by others in the district as “Paul’s man”. He became the head gardener and then Manager at “Mereworth” after leaving employment with Sorenson and maintained the design and original intention of the designer, consulting Sorenson often on works and plants in the garden.
He describes his early life in the Blue Mountains in Leura, and how he began working, along with his brother Barry, with “old Paul”, Paul Sorenson. Peter was employed when Sorenson began work on “Mereworth” in 1964 and was with him for about eight years. Both Peter and his brother were employed by Sorenson on work to do with propagating, grafting becaming Sorenson’s main propagator specialist in the nursery, as well as assisting with landscaping and heavy lifting.
Peter lived on the property “Mereworth” with his family and this interview focuses mainly on this garden with details on various plants and garden beds. He details how the owners of the property, the Oxley family introduced new features and maintained a keen interest in the garden. He mentions other properties, such as “Everglades” but he worked eventually at the one property. He worked with the Oxley family on “Mereworth” for over 30 years and has passed on his knowledge and records to the next Manager, maintaining a form of continuity.
Peter describes the way Sorenson worked as well as quite a bit of the Sorenson family life. The interview extends into his personal recollections of not just how and where Sorenson worked but also how he lived and his philosophy on life.
Peter also puts forward his opinions on how gardens will survive in the future, especially something like “Mereworth” and the older trees.