Colin Phillips was the foundation Curator of Grounds or groundskeeper for Griffith University (Nathan Campus). Colin came from a family that had been involved in landscaping, nurseries, and floristry. His passion for the natural landscape and grounds at Griffith University helped create a complimentary and informed approach to the melding of the built and natural environments. Colin and the organisation's other senior foundation staff members were conscious and determined to retain as much natural environment as possible in the original development of the site.