HELEN SCHWAB

Helen Schwab
25/4/1953 – 16/3/2012

Helen Schwab worked with and for Landscaping Victoria for close on ten years. In this time she was instrumental in establishing our industry magazine “Earthstyle”, managing the advertising sales, co-ordinating articles and overseeing the layout and production. When our fortnightly newsletter went electronic Helen wrote and produced the “e—news” and most often was the photographer that furnished the articles she wrote.

A typical sight at industry get-togethers was Helen, camera at the ready and notebook in hand. She knew and laughed along with everyone. She was good at getting advertising sales and sponsorships, she loved the industry and she was passionate about editing, often starting off the week trawling through our website to correct our grammatical and spelling errors. After leaving us, Helen continued to edit the HMA News for the Hort. Media Association plus freelance for other horticulture and landscaping publications incorporating her travels into her writing.

Her premature death, whilst still a shock is a reminder to us all that every day is worth living as if it our last and Helen did this. Her life was full of adventures and mis-adventures; she was surrounded by a loving family and loyal friends and she was in a happy place with both her private and professional life.

At her funeral a niece described Helen in her leopard print coat and her red lipstick – this is how I picture Helen; assured, confident and fun-loving, vale Helen, you are missed.