John van der Ley - Owner and Nursery Manager
John has 35 years experience in the nursery industry, but has been an avid gardener and collector of plants since his childhood.
Days spent in the garden with his mother and Grandparents and visits to Allan Seale’s and the Botanic Gardens fuelled John’s natural instinct for growing things. At 9 he started his first business, selling veggies to his parents and tending the garden for the neighbours in Beecroft, Sydney.
After completing a Science degree at University and later topping his class in Horticulture, John was offered a full time Horticulture teaching position at Ryde Tafe.
John’s first Wholesale Nursery in Sydney saw his passion for growing beautiful flowering ornamental plants come to fruition. A move to the Mid North Coast of NSW in the early 1980’s led to expansion into the Queensland market.
Ornamental plants are John’s specialty and Vanderley Nursery has built up an impressive range of spectacular lines under his careful guidance. Never afraid to try new methods and experimenting with new releases his reputation for producing Wow Factor plants has grown and he works happily under  the motto....So Much Colour.

Carol Goulding - Sales Manager
Carol’s training   in sales, marketing and colour consultancy have merged together to make her role in Sales an integral part of the Nursery expansion.
Attending Expos and Trade Days between Sydney and Brisbane allow for face to face contact with clients and the opportunity to create beautiful displays of Vanderley Nursery Colour.
Developing a good working relationship with the Nursery clients and offering friendly advice and good service are aspects of her job that Carol finds very rewarding.
In her spare time, Carol is a passionate cook and will soon be overseeing the Abundance Lifestyle Tea House, due to open in mid 2012, as part of the Nursery’s  expansion into retail.

Cherie Smith - Propogation
Plant preparation and propagation have kept Cherie employed on a  full and now part time basis with Vanderley Nursery for 18 years. As the longest standing member of the team, Cherie has seen millions of plants pass through production and the many fads and fashion trends come and go. In her spare time Cherie is a keen soccer player and gardener and she still maintains a passion for plants after all this time.