In the expansive working landscape of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) the safety of visitors is of paramount consideration. Thanks to our Facilities Department (FAC) staff, KFBG is indeed a safe place for visitors and staff, an achievement that newly retired Chow Pak Tim (Tim) looks back on with fond memories and justifiable pride.

Tim polishing the bench at the FAC workshop.

“I joined KFBG’s Facilities Department in 2001 as a Supervisor,” says Tim. “Before joining KFBG, I was already an experienced professional, having specialised in engineering projects and maintenance work. I applied to KFBG because I wanted stable working hours and a more flexible working schedule for a better work-life-balance that I, like many others, consider to be of great importance. KFBG not only ticked that box but gave me the opportunity to extend myself in my new role.”

Tim working with his team for the Hong Kong Flower Show in 2008. The pictiures above showing the "before" (left) and "after" (right) of the display area.

Over the past 15 years, Tim says that the most unforgettable occasion of his working life has to be the preparation work involved in his company’s participation in two of Hong Kong’s mammoth flower shows nearly a decade ago. “At that time, KFBG participated in two flower shows every year,” he said. “One was the North District Flower Show held in Fanling in December, and the other was the Hong Kong Flower Show held in Victoria Park in March. Large-scale decoration and setting up were required for the huge display area, meaning I and my team had to work closely with the Flora Conservation Department to procure materials and build the horticulture installation with great care and to a rigid deadline. It was quite a challenge.”

Tim, in the middle of the picture, attending the Earth Day Tree Planting Activity on 22 April 2006.

For KFBG-based activities, Tim was also instrumental in the necessary preparation work. One example is the Artist-in-Residence programme and Organic Festivals (the Good Life Festival & Harvest Festival) which routinely saw Tim busy working with other staff. When asked what his working motto was, he immediately responded by saying: “Safety is always the topmost concern. In fact, it is the watchword of the whole FAC department to the extent that sometimes slowing down a job a bit was necessary to guarantee that no safety issues arose.”

Tim and his teammates often had the opportunity to work outdoors, installing signage, for example, on hiking trails in the Upper Area. As it is rugged and windy on the hillside, FAC staff would often work in pairs when working uphill. “I remember that once we were working on the Sky Trail. A huge wild cow suddenly appeared and walked towards us, with four to five wild cows following behind. As you can imagine, we retreated at once to make way for them! That was one of several interesting encounters I had with animals at work.”

Although Tim has officially retired, he still feels the pull of the KFBG family and has agreed to work with us again on a consultative basis in September, which we very much look forward to.

Denise Ng, head of Facilities Department, presenting an Appreciation Plaque to Tim on the day of Tim's retirement.

We wish Tim a contented retirement, the very best of good health, and memories enough to last a lifetime!