A special moment was shared last week as campus representatives and guests gathered to unveil a plaque beside a newly planted Ginkgo tree, honouring Pat and Ralph Ballinger OBE. The Ballingers farmed the land at 85 Budge Street from 1949 to 1990 before selling it to the former Nelson Polytechnic with a vision for horticultural education on the site.

Their daughter, Helen Ballinger, unveiled the plaque in tribute.

The Ginkgo, planted by MRC at the completion of the NZ Wine Centre, replaces a previous tree that was removed during construction. It now stands proudly between the NZ Wine Centre and the BRI Research Winery, with plenty of space to flourish, symbolising both legacy and growth on campus.

Pictured below from left to right around the Ginkgo tree: Tim Newsham, Richard Hunter, John Patterson, Helen Ballinger, Susan Foster and her nephew Richard Ballinger.