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23 DECEMBER 2025
It’s not just in the blockbuster musical Wicked that “pink and green go good together.” At Dillwynia Women’s Correctional Centre, the pairing of prison greens and hot pink hi-vis vests and socks set the tone as female inmates took part in two days of hands-on horticulture training.
From weed spraying and lawn mowing to hedge pruning, the women tried their hand at parks and gardens maintenance.
Seventeen women, guided by industry trainers from TME Training, learned the safe use of petrol and electric equipment, the difference between two-stroke and four-stroke engines, and correct fuel and chemical mixing procedures. They also learned to identify dead, damaged, and diseased plants and how to safely remove hazardous tree branches, discovering some of the skills that align with horticulture industry standards.
The women enthusiastically took on each new task, many using gardening equipment for the first time.
“I can’t believe I’m trying this,” Celia* said.
“I’ve never pushed a lawn mower in my life, but it is so satisfying seeing the difference where I have mowed.”
The workshop was delivered by the Work Readiness team in partnership with Pathways to Employment and BREED Australia.
“Events like this not only help the women gain practical skills, but also help build their confidence,” Leanne Breen, Acting Manager, Work Readiness CSNSW said.
“Thanks to generous funding through Women NSW, under the Return to Work Pathways Program, we can run programs like this to prepare women for a smoother transition out of custody and into work.”
The ability to secure employment in a wider variety of fields, and breaking barriers that have kept women out of areas traditionally regarded as male, has been a focus for CSNSW. And it is delivering results. Ex-inmates and those on work release have secured roles in construction, logistics, transport, and now have horticulture in their sights.
“I thought about warehouse roles and getting skilled for that for when I get out, but I have loved being in the garden and learning more,” Paula* said.
“I liked the hedge trimming and tidying the bushes. The trimmer was easy to use and made the job quick, so you could get a lot done in the garden. I’d like to get a job doing work like this.”
A local employer, Green By Nature, met with the women to talk about job opportunities and pathways into the horticultural industry, including casual work and traineeships.
“It’s been good to get real advice from people who could give us jobs,” Celia* said.
“Now we know what kind of work is there and who to talk to, I’m pretty keen to learn more and get a job in a garden with a council or even a golf course.”
The women all walked away with a Certificate of Participation, listing the skills they had learned including safe equipment handling, fuel mixing, plant care and hedge trimming. It was more than a piece of paper; it was a symbol of achievement, teamwork, and the first step toward a second chance.
*Names have been changed
