Mr Gill’s wife Ethel continued to manage the nursery with the help of long time employees Vic and Vin Lambeth, who started working at the nursery at ages 12 and 14.

The Lambeths purchased the nursery in 1961, and continued to diversify and improve the nursery. Vic was the first to purchase seedlings from Dick Wall (Floriana) - he purchased a tray of Brown onions!

The last change of ownership happened in 1980. Lance Roach, a regular client of Gill & Searles, purchased the business from Vic and Vin Lambeth. Lance’s enthusiasm and energy for the nursery business was evident from the very start. Lance began the task of modernizing and expanding the nursery, adding the Conservatory to the side of the old house in 1983.

In 1993 Lance realized the opportunity to expand further into the Bayside suburbs with the purchase of Dean’s nursery in Beaumaris. Lance purchased the nursery from long time owner Albert Dean, whom many would remember fondly for his exotic propagated plants and his barnyard animal friends! The current shop dwelling and car park were added in 1997, making the nursery even more customer friendly.

An opportunity to move further around the bay came in 2000, with Lance purchasing the old Court House in Port Melbourne. Gills Port Melbourne, with its beautiful heritage building, soon became a favourite haunt of locals and tourists. The nursery specialises in courtyard and patio gardens in line with the ever-increasing apartment development in this area.

Whilst much has changed over the past 86 years, our motto still stands…..
Gills Nurseries - a tradition of quality and service.