Those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of the very early days of the profession in Queensland, will remember Janet Conrad (12 March 1937 – 18 August 2021) both for her engaging, friendly personality and her participation in the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) meetings in the then Royal Australian Institute of Architects offices on Coronation Drive in Milton, Queensland, where we learnt so much from those early visionary landscape practitioners: Karl Langer, Harry Oakman and others. Janet was always relied upon to use her organizational abilities to further the professional and social activities of the institute, which ensured that, as a group, we were melded closely together for mutual benefit. This concern and contact with other members continued throughout her career.
Janet graduated from Somerville House, an independent school in inner-city Brisbane in 1954, and her first passion was teaching high school maths, French and English. However, upon meeting architect Bill Conrad, Janet discovered landscape architecture as her path to follow. Janet had previously completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Queensland in 1958, she then went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture in 1974 at Queensland Institute of Technology (now QUT), which she later followed up with a Master of Applied Science at QUT, graduating in 1992. In 1998, Janet was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to landscape architecture, education and international affairs.
A mother of three, Janet was extremely passionate about her family, ably managing a new career and working with her husband Bill Conrad’s practice, Conrad Gargett. Throughout her life, she was elevated to many leading positions including AILA Fellow, principal of Conrad Gargett’s landscape section, and part-time lecturer and chair of the QUT Faculty Advisory Committee in Landscape Architecture. She and Bill also supported the Learning Potential Fund Scholarships program at the university.
Janet developed a wide knowledge of horticulture and landscape design, as demonstrated in her home garden at Fig Tree Pocket in western Brisbane. This expertise was polished at QIT, ensuring her involvement in Conrad Gargett’s architectural projects resulted in outcomes with strong and legible landscape qualities. The majority of her professional expertise was applied to schools, hospitals and other similar large-scale developments.
In losing Janet, the profession loses an energetic, capable and committed advocate, always willing to encourage landscape architects, whether young or old, to take on challenges and do more.
