RELLE MOTT

Relle Mott is a specialist in Japan’s gardens, arts and culture, and an experienced tour leader for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and others.

Relle has had a long career with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, most recently as Head of Education & Public Engagement. She is now actively involved with the Friends of the Gardens and the Volunteer Guides groups, delivering lectures and guided walks for both Friends’ members and the public, on topics such as the Garden’s Asian Plants Collection as well as the history of Asia’s plant collectors.

Relle’s connection with Japan was inspired by two student exchange years. Japanese arts, culture and language were pivotal in her Fine Arts degree, a postgraduate year at Keio University, a period as a translator and interpreter, and subsequent career teaching secondary Japanese language and art. After a later Diploma of Horticulture, Relle converted her lifelong love of plants into a career in plant science education in 2003.

Since 2013, Relle has led cultural tours with a garden focus for the Friends of the Gardens to Japan, China and Uzbekistan. She has also led numerous independent walking tours on ancient pilgrim trails for small groups in Japan. As a practising ceramicist, Relle also brings her knowledge of this artform to her tours, which often include visits to Japan’s ceramics museums, galleries and studios as well as remote ceramics villages. Relle’s fluency in Japanese and deep understanding of Japan create special connections and experiences for her travellers.