The Chronicle Garden Competition Guide 2022

Welcome Notes

FROM OUR CITY LEADERS

Mayor Paul Antonio, Toowoomba Regional Council

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has well and truly cemented itself as one of Australia’s premier events and a big part of that is The Chronicle Garden Competition. Many visitors we welcome to the Toowoomba Region come here to enjoy not only the many beautiful floral filled public parks we have on offer but also the many and varied private displays.

I know people who enter The Chronicle Garden Competition do so after many, many hours of painstaking work preparing, tending and making their gardens perfect for visitors to come and enjoy.

All entrants should be proud of their efforts and I congratulate the winners for their wonderful displays.

2022 is shaping as another big year for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers as we celebrate, for the second year in succession, a month-long show case of everything that makes the Toowoomba Region so great. We again expect upwards of 200,000 visitors to the Region and I’m very much looking forward to get ting along to the many and varied events of offer and also seeing the dis plays of our garden competition entrants.

Peter Lock, Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank

There’s just something about springtime in Toowoomba that lifts everyone’s spirits. The days are warmer, the gardens are blooming, and best of all the Carnival of Flowers is here! Heritage Bank is thrilled to again support The Chronicle Garden Competition. It remains at the very heart of what the Carnival is all about since the Carnival concept was first devel oped back in 1949.

The Garden Competition takes advantage of the natural ingredients that make Toowoomba unique. Our soil, climate and mountain location are the perfect ingredients for growing amazing gardens.

It showcases the efforts of those who put their heart and soul into creating garden masterpieces simply for the love of the city, and for the joy they bring to the many visitors. The gar dens are fantastic examples of what commitment, determina tion, innovation and persistence can produce.

Heritage is proud of its Toowoomba roots and takes great pride in giving back to our heartland and helping to build our local community.

The Carnival and Garden Com petition are such important assets to the Toowoomba Region and Heritage is delighted we can play a role in making it happen.

Erika Brayshaw, General Manager of The Chronicle

Welcome to the Chronicle Garden Competition for 2022! It’s great to be back for another year, and seeing all the gorgeous gardens our entrants have worked so hard to create.

It’s also been fantastic to see how our gardeners have perse vered in a year with conditions many of them had not seen for a long time - or at all. The extended periods of wet led to horticultural innovation from many, as did the cold winter we’ve had.

I know everyone has been working hard over the year and are excited to share their floral showpieces with all the guests during the Carnival of Flowers.

The month-long Carnival will celebrate the very best of our city, from the beautiful parks and private gardens to the region’s best food and produce.

The Chronicle would like to thank all our sponsors for 2022, from our main partners Toowoom ba Regional Council, Heritage Bank, and University of Southern Queensland, to our newest spon sors: Little Pig Consulting, Jacqui Walker of REMAX Success, Yukana, and Motor Mecca.

Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland is delighted to once again sponsor The Chronicle Garden Competition. The dedication of our city’s gardeners, who work tirelessly all year, brings such joy and admiration to the thousands of visi tors who come to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers.

Our University plays its own role in the Carnival. We have two unique gardens at our campus on West Street, which attract so many visitors.

Our Japanese Garden Ju Raku En, is one of the largest and most traditional Japanese stroll gardens in Australia.

Our Gumbi Gumbi Gardens feature more than 100 plant spe cies and display an extensive array of Indigenous flora used by the local First Nations communities for a range of purposes, including food and medicine.

Congratulations and thanks to all of the entrants in this year’s Chronicle Garden Competition.

The thought, work and care that goes into nurturing Toowoomba’s beautiful gardens is truly remark able.

A Gardening Triumph

THROUGH THE DECADES

It’s been going from strength to strength for 73 years now, and The Chronicle Garden Competition has no signs of slowing down

ver seven decades, Toowoomba has watched this competition bloom into the world-renowned event it is today. Held alongside the Carnival of Flowers each spring, visitors come from far and wide to enjoy a kaleidoscope of colour and excitement while the entrants open their gardens to the public.

HOPEFUL BEGINNINGS

In an attempt to brighten citizens’ spirits after the war and make the town more colourful, the first Chronicle Garden Competition was held in 1949.

It was such a success it drew more than 50 entrants in 1950, inspired the creation of the Carnival of Flowers and helped earn Toowoomba the title of Garden City. Toowoomba has become internationally renowned for the competition, and it brings thousands of visitors to the city annually. Even mid-pandemic in 2020, when circumstances prevented the traditional format of the competition, gardeners opened their properties virtually with the option for viewers to donate to charity.

THE TALENT BEHIND THE COMPETITION

The winner of the first inaugural Chronicle Garden Competition was Mrs Ruby O’Brien of 269 West St.

Since then, names like Beh, Swenson, Lloyd, Conquest, Hultgren - and more recently, Ford, Drew, Stephson and Rubb - and many others - have become synonymous with the competition and its development.

The entrants are a dedicated group of people, with some gardeners having entered the competition for more than 30 years in a row. They have produced their flora showpieces through many adverse conditions - drought, flood, frost, fire, and more.

ASSESSING THE ENTRIES

Chosen from celebrities of the gardening world, competition judges are well known to entrants and gardening enthusiasts.

It is considered a great honour to be invited to judge this renowned competition, and

GUESTS VISIT THE WINNING GARDEN IN 1981

2004 GRAND CHAMPIONS GLEN AND IDA KENDRICK

their schedules even used to be published in The Chronicle until the 1980s.

Nowadays, these important people drive all around the region across a busy week of visiting and assessing all the entered gardens.

The first judge, D.A Herbert, was a professor of botany at the University of Queensland and was assisted by his wife, with both them continuing their judging roles well into the 1960s.

Following in their shoes have been a multitude of other judges with impressive credentials, like landscape architects Arne Fink and Lawrie Smith, the curators of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and Mount Coot-tha Gardens Harold Caulfield and Ross McKinnon, as well as Sydney-based horticulturist Stan Peck, Mr and Mrs Stan Roberts, Colin Campbell, Noni Hazelhurst and ABC TV’s Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson.

THE EXHIBITION GARDENS

Gardeners who did not enter The Chronicle Garden Competition but still wished to showcase their gardens have opened their gates to the public since 1973, for a small entry fee.

Aptly titled the Exhibition Gardens, each year they raise funds for charity - donating thousands for these worthy causes.

A IS FOR AZALEA

Ever a staunch supporter of the competition, ABC Radio Southern Queensland has had its own categories since 1992.

Varying in title and amount of categories over the years, in 2021 these were condensed. This year gardeners can be eligible for the Rod Hultgren Memorial Award, which horticultural personality Penny Mckinlay will judge.

OPTIONS GALORE

In its formative years, the competition had just three categories — Open Class (for all gardens in Toowoomba), Intermediate Class (for gardens which had never before won a

prize), and Home Builders’ Garden (for postwar gardens of homes built after 1945).

Since then, categories like homestead gardens, small space gardens, and predominantly Australian native gardens have steadily been added and adapted according to trends and changing circumstances in the city and surrounding area.

Quirky categories, like ‘best display of sweet peas’ and ‘good neighbour’, have been cut from the competition or amalgamated with other categories for a more streamlined competition.

As recently as the 70-year anniversary in 2019, there were 16 categories in the city garden section and 14 in the country section, with categories for sustainable and productive gardens, reflective of the need to save water and a desire to live more selfsufficient lives by growing our own fruits and vegetables.

This year, new categries have been introduced - Rural Residential garden, Under 40 Years Gardener, and Over 70 Years Gardener.

THE POWER BEHIND

With the prize pool having grown from £50 in 1950 to more than $55,000 today, it’s clear this competition’s sponsors deserve a round of applause.

Full credit goes to this year’s partners - The Chronicle, Heritage Bank, Toowoomba Regional Council, and the University of Southern Queensland - and new sponsors Little Pig Consulting, Jacqui Walker Sells, Yukana, and Motor Mecca,

BEHIND THE SCENES

Putting the competition together is a momentous task and requires the involvement of everyone at The Chronicle, from general manager Erika Brayshaw and editor-in-chief Jordan Philp, to the advertising, editorial and distribution staff.

The Chronicle Garden Competition could not have been a success without the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

• 1950 Mrs RM O’Brien, 269 West St

• 1951 and 1952 Mr K McFadyen, 233 Ged des St

• 1953 Mrs L Lipp, 1 Drayton Rd

• 1956, 1958, 1960, 1970 Mr and Mrs CB Swenson, 4 Herries St

• 1957 Mrs RM O’Brien, 269 West St

• 1959-1965, 1967, 1971-1975, 1980 Mrs PM Beh, 56 Warwick St

• 1966, 1972 joint winners PM Beh, 56 War wick St, and CB Swenson, 4 Herries St

• 1968 Mr and Mrs SJ Perrin, 2E James St

• 1969 Mr and Mrs EW Pooley, 19 Mary St

• 1970, 1975 Clive and Monica Conquest, 26 Plant St

• 1976, 1978 Ben and Mavis Mundy, 190 Ruthven St

• 1979 Mr and Mrs P Williams, St 4 Hazzard St

• 1981, 1982, 1983 Murray and Margaret Timbs, 6 Merino St

• 1984, 1988 Clive and Monica Conquest, 26 Plant St

• 1985, 1986 Keith and Shirley Peers, 83 Drayton Rd

• 1987 Bob and Sylvia Webb, 2 Begonia Court

• 1989, 1991-1993, 1998, 1999 Rod and Maureen Hultgren, 13 Hinton St

• 1990 Mavis and John Lloyd, 69 Mary St

• 1994 Alf and Del Wagland, 11 Primrose St

• 1995-1997 Keith and Shirley Peers, 83 Drayton Rd

• 2000, 2001 Allan and Mandy Gibson

• 2002, 2003 Bill and Denise Merritt

• 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012 Glen and Ida Ken drick, 11 Montclair Cl

• 2005, 2007-2009, 2011 Arch and Julie Roggeveen, 4 Glencoe Ct

• 2013 Kelly and Cheryl Fry, 21 Dallang Rd

• 2014, 2018 Kevin and Dianna Drew, 17 Ward St

• 2015, 2016 Bob and Val Ford, 19 Burke St

• 2017 Gordon and Maria Reynolds, 40 Smythe Dr

• 2019 Julie Roggeveen, 34 Preston-Bound ary Rd

• 2020 Nil - Garden for Good

• 2021 Serge & Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil St

VISITORS ENJOY THE GARDENS IN 1978

Celebrating 25 Years

OF GARDEN STYLE

ince 1998, Toowoomba’s gardeners have made The Springs their first stop for quality plant stock, garden mixes and decorative pots.

Set on five lush acres, the Spring Street cen tre is the labor of love for owners Ashley and Marie McEwan.

The McEwan family spent 30 years farming in Pittsworth before deciding to follow a dream. A passion for gardening and family shaped the decision to open Toowoomba’s premier garden centre.

The family business took its inspiration from the large garden centres in the UK which incorporate garden, giftware, dining and furniture. Ashley wanted to create a place for families to visit and feel inspired to turn their own humble gardens into a place of wonder.

During its 25 years, The Springs has contin ued to add to the customer experience with major renovations and the addition of a play ground located in the Kingfisher Café for the kids to explore while parents enjoy a fine dining experience set amongst a beautiful garden setting.

Accredited as one of Queensland’s Garden Centres of Excellence, The Springs incorpo rates four retail departments.

The Springs garden centre nursery includes Toowoomba’s largest and most diverse range of indoor and outdoor plants, pots and water features. Visitors travel from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and beyond to view the dis plays of native plants, ornamental and fruit trees, exotic, sub-tropical and cool climate plants, perennials and garden colour.

There are giftware and home décor ideas for every budget in the Waterlily on Springs gift shop, stocked full of delectable decora

tor pieces, beautiful wall art, candles, home fragrances and gift ideas and cards for any occasion.

Toowoomba’s outdoor furni ture specialist, managed by Ashley and Marie’s youngest son Cameron, is a must-see for customers looking for inspira tion in creating their outdoor sanctuary, with over 70 settings on display including popular wicker, aluminum and hard wearing timber settings crafted in teak and kwila.

Spring is the perfect time to update that tired outdoor set ting and create an oasis with a stunning outdoor lounge and outdoor dining setting.

You can also find a large selection of outdoor rugs, umbrellas and a great range of outdoor cushions on display.

If you’re looking for the finest breakfast or lunch be sure to visit Kingfishers Café, Toowoomba’s premier garden café.

Open from 8am, seven days a week, King fishers boasts a modern dining experience in a lush garden location - so why not plan you next function or event there?

Ashley, Marie and the whole Springs team would love to see you during the Carnival of Flowers, so come in and get the inspiration to help create your own garden oasis. Their expert staff are on-hand to answer any ques tions you may have - from plant selection and lawn care, to fertilizing or choosing the perfect statement pot for your garden.

Be inspired during spring with a ‘must-see’ visit to The Springs.

The Springs Garden World provides the perfect place for visitors and gardeners to relax and enjoy the Carnival of Flowers while providing inspiration and all the ingredients to make their own award-winning garden

TO OUR GARDENERSThank You

The whole team at The Chronicle would like to extend heartfelt thanks to each and every gardener who entered the competition this year

he Chronicle Garden Competition wouldn’t be possible without the champion efforts of the entrants - our gardeners.

Through rain, drought, frost and more they persevere and reap the rewards of that dedication come September when their gorgeous gardens come into bloom. From general manager Erika Brayshaw and the whole team at The Chronicle, thank you to each and every entrant for 2022. We greatly appreciate your involvement every year and making the Garden Competition what it is today.

Happy Carnival.

FOR THE WILDLIFEPlanting Blooms

By Emily Roberts

veryone loves seeing butterflies and bees in the garden. They are a lovely addition to the garden and can be very helpful. They both will pollinate your garden, as will birds, bats, beetles and wasps. However, the best pollinators are bees and butterflies so they’re the ones you want to attract. When trying to attract them you’ll want something that they like to eat. Below are just a few of the flowers you can grow.

ALLIUM (ALLIUM GIGANTEUM)

These are large plants that usually grow to one and half metres up. They have big round flowers that come in various colours. The

flowers have a powdery aroma that is like a glowing sign to bees and butterflies. They spread quickly but are slow enough not to take over the garden.

NATIVE BLUEBELLS (WAHLENBERGIA STRICTA)

These flowers are a favourite to bees and butterflies as well and they add a bit of colour to the garden. They are easy to grow and their bright blue colour attracts the bees and makes them a chooser for any garden.

BUTTERFLY BUSH (BUDDLEJA DAVIDII)

This is another good plant that attracts bees and butterflies. It is easy to grow and has

St Luke’s Flower and Music Festival

16-21 September 2022

This year’s Flower and Music Festival mark’s our 56th year of continuous participation in the major celebration of life in Toowoomba. We are focusing the look

There is a veritable “feast” the Toowoomba City Labyrinth plant

• Friday 16 September

12.00pm Peter Schneider (piano)

Jim Durack (viola/violin)

• Saturday 17 September

10.00am Carnival Parade Belinda Tigell (Singer/Songwriter)

2.00pm Philharmonic Choir

• Sunday 18 September

8.00am Festival Sunday Worship with John’s Cathedral Chamber Choir

11.00am Brisbane Chamber Choir

2.00pm (handbell ensemble)

• Monday 19 September

12.00pm van Klinken (pipe organ)

Phil Ryan (Trumpet)

Sarah Dixon (Soprano)

• Tuesday 20 September

12.00pm ELDUO: Blencowe (keyboard/recorder) Chauntler (guitar)

• Wednesday 21 September Sharon Matheson (harp)

very long flowering periods. The flowers are small but numerous, covering a long showy cone that comes at the end of the growing tips of the plant. These flowers are the main call to bees and butterflies but the butterfly bush also has a scent that will also attract the insects.

EVERLASTING DAISIES (XEROCHRYSUM BRACTEATUM)

These are fun colourful flowers that bees love. They grow well in a hot climate and prefer full sun though they will tolerate shade. They come in many colours which is mostly what will attract the bees and butterflies.

Happy Gardening!

Since its establishment in 1973, The Chronicle Exhibition Gardens program has featured over 65 fantastic gardens and raised more than $792,000 for charity.

Each year several of Toowoomba’s finest gardens are open for public viewing, with selected charitable organisations chosen to benefit from these open gardens at Carnival time.

Gardens Admission is by ticket only — CASH ONLY (no EFPOS) —

During the Carnival you can purchase your admission ticket at any of the exhibition gardens for either a single garden, 3 garden or 6 garden entry pass.

For multiple garden admissions you must present your ticket to the gatekeeper at each garden for it to be validated upon entry. Children will be admitted free of charge with an accompanying adult.

Enquiries: Val 07 4635 5232 Open Charity

2 Val Peachey (Charity: AEIOU)

5 Fern Drive, Kearney’s Spring

To see all four gardens costs $12, three gardens cost $10 and $5 for one garden. Tickets are available at each of the gardens. This year all money raised will be shared between Hope Horizons, Anglicare, Base Services, LifeFlight, RFDS and AEIOU. Exhibition Gardens

Val has an integrated garden, with structural evergreens, weeping standard maples, a magnificent conifer and a range of roses, alstroemerias, hellebores, bulbs and salvias.

The garden is beautiful all year round with a variety of perennials flowering at different times of the year but comes to life in Spring with a display of flowering annuals such as larkspurs, foxgloves, orlaya and hollyhocks amongst the roses.

A walk through the gated archway, covered with a climbing rose and clematis on the western side of the house, reveals a montana clematis, salivas and other perennials — with a little gem magnolia, a michelia and a flowering plum.

Adrian and Gail’s garden features a variety of Australian native plants which grow on three garden levels. The garden includes a rainforest, campfire area, fairy garden and a dry creek bed where native grasses abound. Dotted throughout the garden is a collection of old farming memorabilia and unique recycled metal art created by Adrian.

Everlasting daisies provide spectacular spring colour. Seating is placed throughout the garden where you can sit, relax and enjoy the native flowers and birds.

5 Jill Rod

Jill and Rod have a year-round garden. A display of weeping grevillea, callistemon, eremophilia, westriginia and euphorbia along with geraniums, hybrid T and bush roses perform well throughout spring and summer. A display of orchids, clivias and hanging baskets can be admired in the fernery and a dry creek riverbed with a bridge has been Incorporated at the back of the house.

1 LeAnne

4

LeAnne’s garden features flowering peach trees, may bushes, magnolias, conifers including a blue spruce, cottage perennials, daisies, roses, azaleas, clivias and annuals.

The paved garden paths and stairways lead you through many terraced rooms throughout this garden, from the shaded courtyard on the northern side with its Japanese maples, port wine magnolias, fuchsias and camellias, to the apple fountain garden beyond with its collection of roses, camellias and annuals. This beautiful spot takes in the restful view down Flagstone Creek.

3 Cheryl & Ian Feeney Base Services)

2 Blue Meadow Court, Blue Mountain

Framed with a backdrop of tall spotted gums, Cheryl and Ian’s garden looks like a botanical park.

The various gardens have their own focus – the secret garden, the magnolia garden, the orchard garden, the bottle tree garden, the ornamental pear garden, the Himalayan cedars, a mature Rothmania and pin oaks amongst others.

There are many varieties of fruit trees in or near the orchard garden which is sown with flowering perennials to attract bees and insects. Dotted amidst the garden are several resting places where the beauty of the grounds can be appreciated.

6 Lesley & Michael Conway (Charity: RFDS) General Gordon Court, Cotswold

Sections of the garden consist of a network of pathways to wander along which are bordered by trees and beds of shrubs, perennials and seasonal colour all suited to grow with low water needs.

The garden has an eclectic display of structures and pieces made from recycled materials given by friends and family or collected from recycling facilities. These add surprise and enjoyment to the journey through.

A World of Colour

AT COBB+CO MUSEUM

he whole family can delight in a blooming brilliant range of experiences across the whole of September at Cobb+Co Museum.

Surround yourself with a spectacular display of more than 50 hanging baskets, lovingly created by local green thumbs, community groups and schools.

Home to Australia’s finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles, step back in history and learn about life in 19th century Queensland.

Discover the region’s indigenous culture and stories in The Binangar Centre, see remains of local prehistoric giants in Megafauna, set the kids loose in Sciencentre, and enjoy much more.

Plus, don’t miss heritage trade demonstrations in Blacksmithing, Rustic Furniture or Silversmithing being held over the carnival period.

HANGING BASKET DISPLAY

Immerse yourself in a spectacular display of floral baskets and vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice award. The Hanging Basket Display will be on daily from Friday, September 9 to Friday, September 30. This event is supported by Yates.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

Explore a line-up of fun activities for families throughout the spring school holiday period. Take part in free trails and activities around the museum. Plus go undercover in current exhibition Spy: Espionage in Australia.

SPRINGTIME SPECIALS

Not only does Cobb’s Coffee Shop boast Toowoomba’s best scones, but for the month of September you can try their deliciously decadent Re-Imagined Tiramisu, part of the Toowoomba Region’s #trEATS trail.

Cobb+Co Museum is open daily from 9.30am to 4pm; for more information visit cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au

Meet Residential Gardens

JUDGE GEORGE HOAD

eorge Hoad AM is this year’s Residential gardens judge.

A keen gardener with many years and awards under his belt, George describes himself as having four passions in life - theatre & music, collecting, travel, and - of coursegardening.

George spends a lot of time fostering his six-acre garden, Winchelsea, in NSW and regularly opens it to the public for charity. He has served as president of the Killa bakh Garden Club for 17 years, was elected into The Garden Clubs of Australia (GCA) Management Committee in 2012 and elected president in 2015 for five years.

In 2017, George instigated and launched Australia’s innaugral National Gardening Week (NGW) which offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the simple joys of

gardening and to highlight the associated environmental, social and health benefits. He was appointed NGW Ambassador in 2021. George is also a member of numerous gar dening organisations, judges a section at the Taree and Wingham shows, wrote a regular gardening column for a local newspaper for 10 years from 2010, and still contributes an occasional gardening segment on the local ABC radio Morning Show.

He is thrilled to be chosen to judge this year’s The Chronicle Garden Competition.

“Toowoomba is renowned for its gardens and the cavalcade of colour; the love and care that goes into those gardens,” George says.

“I feel quite honoured and privileged to be able to judge this year.”

Rusell Campbell Judges

SCHOOLS & COMMERCIAL

udging the School, Commercial, and Not-for-Profit gardens, Rusell Campbell has been in and around gardens since he was a small child. He has fond memories of the joy gardening brought to his mother, particular ly when she would chat to passers-by admir ing the flowers during Carnival time.

Rusell is well-known for his work as curator over many years for the Japanese Garden at the University of Southern Queensland, as well as his involvement with the annual Camellia Show held at the TAFE. He has also been a garden competition judge down in the Lockyer Valley in his time, and trained many people in horticultural practise out in the field.

Rusell has been gardening for roughly 50 years, and gained formal qualifications in

has helped design and establish several The Chronicle Garden Competition prize-win ning gardens across the region over the decades.

With extensive experience with Japanese and Chinese gardens and how they use focal points and other features, Rusell brings a weath of horticultural knowledge to the competition.

He is excited to be on the other side of the coin as a judge this year, and keen for seeing future gardeners try out their green thumbs.

“I have a big belief in young people, and love seeing people I’ve worked with or trained over the years grow up to be successful gar deners or horticulturists in their own right.

“I’m hoping the Schools category inspires the young people – who knows, maybe the school kids will be Grand Champion one

TO SUPPORT GARDEN CITYHeritage Proud

oowoomba Carnival of Flowers is an icon of our community and continues to delight locals and visitors every year. It’s a proud tradition that helps define the Toowoomba identity, and at the heart and soul of this is The Chronicle Garden Competition.

As a long-time supporter of the Carnival, Heritage Bank is proud to partner with The Chronicle and all the other co-sponsors to bring the Garden Competition to life. These gardens draw thousands of people from all over the country to admire what commitment, passion, and persistence can produce.

They might not use brushes and paints, but our competition gardeners are artists. Each year, rain, hail or shine they produce living masterpieces that delight everyone who vis its. And they do it all simply for the love of the city and for the joy that their efforts give to the many visitors who come along to take a look. It’s a fantastic example of community spirit, and one of the many reasons Heritage Bank is proud to be a sponsor. Heritage Bank is immensely proud of its Toowoomba roots which stretch all the way back to 1875. Best of all, Heritage remains

headquartered in Toowoomba and continues to have the best interests of this region at the core of its activities.

As a customer-owned bank, Heritage has a long history of putting people first in every thing they do.

The profits they make are used to support their members and the communities they live in. Whether through great banking products and services, or actively getting

behind community events and initiatives, Heritage is passionate about helping people and building stronger connections. That’s why Heritage is proud to support many of the key events and activities that make Toowoomba a place that is treasured by so many. The Garden Competition is such an important asset to the Carnival and Toowoomba Region that Heritage is delight ed to play a role in making it happen.

A Toowoomba institution in its own right, Heritage Bank is happy to call our city home and support The Chronicle Garden Competition and Carnival of Flowers for another year

AT THE UNI GARDENS A Celebration of Culture

HE GUMBI GUMBI GARDENS

The Gardens were opened in 2013 and designed in close partnership with respected elders from Toowoomba and elders of the Jarowair people.

They feature more than 100 plant species, including an extensive array of Indigenous flora used by the local Aboriginal commu nities for a range of purposes, and offer lots of places to gather, look at astronomy, plants and the interrelationship between plants and animals.

At its heart, the Gumbi Gumbi Gardens represent the acknowledgement of local Indigenous heritage, culture, and continued contribution to the region.

The Gumbi Gumbi Gardens covers approx imately 2.2 hectares of land adjacent to the northern side of the UniSQ Toowoomba’s main entrance and include a number of small and large teaching spaces. They are open at all times and admission is free.

Parking is available adjacent to the Gardens.

JU RAKU EN

The Japanese Garden can be found just a short walk from the Gumbi Gumbi Gardens.

The ‘Ju Raku En’ garden (roughly translated to mean ‘to enjoy peace and longevity in a public place’) was opened in 1989 by the

Brisbane Consul-General of Japan.

Situated in the northern sector of the campus, these gardens are jointly owned by the University of Southern Queensland and the Toowoomba Regional Council and represent one of the larg est and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll gardens in Australia.

Japanese Gardens are a highly refined art form with the subtle use of plant colour to punctuate the seasons, the clever use of perspective to provide visitors with con stantly changing views, the use of miniatur isation and arguably the greatest skill of all, the use of abstract ideas in design.

The picturesque gardens include a moun tain stream and waterfall, a central lake, 230 species of Japanese and Australian trees and plants, and a dry garden.

These gardens are the perfect picnic location, with seating and picnic amenities through out the park and toilets available in the adjoining Birch Court Park.

The Garden is also a popular wedding venue, with the waterfall, the Viewing Pavilion on

one of the islands, and the lilac blossoms hanging from the Wisteria Pergola popular sites for tying the knot.

With multiple picturesque sites, the gardens are a hotspot for photographers of all styles.

The lake, which is the focal point of the garden, is home to various species of duck, turtle and fish, all of which can be observed from shore or from atop one of the tradition al red Japanese bridges.

During this year’s Carnival of Flowers, there will be USQ Garden Ambassadors in the gardens to help guide visitors and answer questions.

The Japanese Garden is open daily from 6am to dusk and admission is free.

Visit these two unique gardens at the University of Southern Queensland and be captivated by their beauty and peace

FOR JUDGING WEEK Fantastic Drive

ittingly awarded the Mazda Master Dealer Award for the 27th year in a row, Wippells Autos has been a locally-run fixture of the Garden City for more than 50 years. Each year, the family business provides the Garden Competition judges with a ride to get around to all the gardens they need to assess over the week.

For 2022, that vehicle was the Mazda CX-9 GT model. This good-looking SUV delivers on class, comfort, and technology - arguably the ultimate package.

With features like Bose audio, stylish sunroof, colour head-up display, three-zone climate control, and seven seats, the CX-9 is the luxury family car you never knew you needed.

Thanks to an eager and smooth 170kW/420Nm turbo engine, the car punts along at a decent rate with low-down torque pull particularly impressive. Steering wheel paddles give control over a slick six-speed auto gearbox, and it feels safe, composed and comfortable even in tight corners.

Leather seating – electric up front – is plush and driver’s visibility strong. The huge rear doors open really wide for easy middle row access, and this bench splits for separate folding and sliding for great versatility.

The middle seats recline, while a button electrically shifts one forward for third row access. Two adults are well accommodated back here with decent leg room - making it the perfect car for The Chronicle Garden Competition judging and media team.

Wippells Autos does it again! The judging and media team for The Chronicle Garden Competition were chauffeured around in style with the Mazda CX-9 GT four-wheel drive

COMPETITION WINNERS

City Grand Champion

BOB AND VAL FORD

ob and Val Ford of 19 Burke St, Rangeville, have taken out top gong for this year’s City gardens.

“Winning the competition would be great as it would help Toowoomba keep the [title] Garden City of Australia,” Bob said during judging week.

“As pensioners, it would be a delight to show the beauty of our garden to all visitors.”

“It’s the pride of representing the city and hoping that the Carnival of Flowers will continue for years to come.”

The Grand Champion couple have been gardening for more than 30 years, originally introduced to the competition by then-

champions Rod and Maureen Hultgren.

“We used to get buses come past years ago when we had the house built,” Bob says.

“It’s going back quite a few years and was just a colourful garden, and we got talked into [entering] by [the Hultgrens].”

The couple built the house in 1966, but it wasn’t until 1991 that they first entered the competition.

“We were awarded second place the first time we entered,” Bob says.

Now both in their late 70s, the couple do the garden all by themselves.

“We love gardening, it keeps us young and active.

“It’s seeing all these little seedlings grow into

a magnificent array of colour; it’s a challenge to make the garden more colourful and a pleasure for the public to admire.”

One of the most noticeable elements of the Ford’s garden over the years has been the lush, green lawn.

“Everyone wants my secret mixture on how to get it green. Eventually I’ll let it loose,” Bob laughs.

This year has been more challenging than most in that regard, as it was such a cold

winter that it was very hard to have a perfect lawn - but it hasn’t dampened the Ford’s spirits.

“We believe colour is the winning part of our garden as the general public love all the big variety of flowers we can grow,” Bob says.

“I like the different variety of flowers that we can grow here in Toowoomba, up on the Darling Downs.”

“We love a full colour in our garden, as that was the way the competition began. We intend to keep the format as the public are always awed at how we get everything in flower at the right time.”

The couple also love the Japanese-themed elements they feature in their garden and the arbour, with Val a fan of their lush conifers. The Rangeville garden has even been host to a few special events in its time.

“We had a wedding in here - our daughterwhich was a beautiful setting, and we’ve had another two engagement parties,” Bob says. Overall, Bob and Val enjoy sharing their garden with all the visitors for Carnival of

Flowers each year.

“[My favourite part of being part of this competition] is to have a nice garden and all the all

“And it’s one of Toowoomba’s biggest social events, it really brings a lot of money into the city, and it’s been going for 70-odd years - so it proves that this is a great event.”

“It would be a delight to show the beauty of our garden to all visitors.”

Bob Ford

Regional Grand Champion

WAYNE AND NARELLE SCHICK

ears of planning and hard work have culminated in Wayne and Narelle Schick taking out the 2022 Regional Grand Champion in The Chronicle Garden Competition.

Their garden, at 4 Booth Crt, Oakey, sits on about 2000sq m, and the couple’s love of gardening was born out of visiting competition gardens when they were first married.

“When we first married we enjoyed visiting competition gardens,” Narelle says.

“Then we thought ‘why don’t we give the competition a try ourselves’.

“We bought a larger block of land and set about building a new house and creating our garden.”

The Schicks have created an enticing garden, that is a clever blend of statement trees, pathways, natural rock borders, private sitting areas all accented by natives, perennial shrubs, succulents as well as pops of annual colour.

They have created interconnected garden rooms, with plenty to explore and to entice the senses.

They have some lovely country accents, like timber wheelbarrows, miniature windmills, and cute animal garden art, all nestled among the established garden beds and lawns.

“We think the most intriguing aspect of our garden is the size of the block,” Narelle says.

“From the street our garden looks like a normal sized suburban block but walking into the backyard there is almost 2000sq m

of garden.

“It surprises so many people.”

“We get people here for carnival, they come in the front and they look at the front garden and then they’ll say, ‘any more’,” Wayne says. “And we say, just head out the back, you find a bit more.

“Then when they come back, they just, they can’t believe it.”

The Schicks have been entering The

Chronicle Garden Competition since 1988

and have only missed competing a handful of times, due to drought and Covid-19.

But despite that, they have continued to work at created this delightful country escape.

“It is a hobby we can do together and be out in the fresh air and sunshine,” Narelle says.

“It is also exciting when a new plant flowers for the first time and also rewarding when we plan a new area and it all comes together.

“It sure beats doing housework,” she jokes.

While the couple acknowledges chasing the win has kept them coming back year after year, it isn’t their primary motivation.

“(Winning would) be just a nice reward for a lot of hard work,” Narelle says.

“It would be a lovely bonus on something we do for our own pleasure.”

Narelle Schick

“Walking into the backyard there is almost 2000sq m of garden...it surprises many people.”

ush and rainforest-esque, the Lindemann’s garden at 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields, is a sight to be seen - and certainly welldeserving of Reserve Grand Champion.

Richard and Anne-Maree have only been entering the competition for two years - with 2021 being their first experience - which makes the finished product all the more impressive.

“Prior to moving to Toowoomba in 2017, we lived in Cairns and made the pilgrimage south for many years to view the magnificent gardens of Toowoomba during the Carnival of Flowers,” Richard says of the decision to

enter.

“It had been on our ‘bucket list’ to establish a garden worthy of entry into this event.

“We love looking at other people’s gardens, so it was also an opportunity to repay the favour,” he said.

A love for garden design and their careers as park rangers was what led the couple to their signature use of native plants and wildlife.

“The use of native plants is a critical element of the garden we have designed, and we take much joy from creating a garden that attracts native wildlife,” Richard says.

“Seeing wildlife using and living in our garden gives us as much pleasure as the gardening itself.

“We’re avid wildlife fans, we love seeing the birds, listening to the frogs and the lizards.” Richard and Anne-Maree are both proud of the overall design of their garden, naming it as their favourite element.

“We like different design elements, creating little rooms where you can go and contemplate life depending on the season,” Richard says.

“The focus plantings in our garden feature largely natives in a natural landscape setting. “A series of natural waterfalls and rock pools and a formal water feature provide natural sounds and reflections from our outdoor living spaces, as well as vistas from inside our house.”

Another favourite feature of Richard’s is the recycling and reuse of many elements in the garden.

“From plants, rocks and tree stumps given away by others, the use of old railway sleepers, tanks and fence posts, to reusing scrap metal for statues - we don’t like to pay full price for anything!”

For the couple, winning an award in The Chronicle Garden Competition is about giving back to the gardening community that has given them so much joy over the years.

“Probably the most personal importance of winning would be being able to share our garden with other garden-loving folk who would come to visit gardens that have received an award, Richard explains.

“We love looking at other people’s gardens, so it would be a great opportunity to repay the favour, but also get recognition from all the gardeners out there that we have done a good job and created something special.”

SHIRLEY CRONKRegional Reserve Champion

or many people in the Pechey and Crows Nest district, the name Shirley Cronk is synonymous with gardening (and baking).

Her Garden of Roses at 123 McLean Rd, Pechey, has been a work in progress for many years, and she’s been entering The Chronicle Garden Competition for the past five years and this year claimed the title of Regional Reserve Champion.

Shirley had been participating in the Australian Open Garden Scheme before it was suggested to her that she enter the garden competition.

“If you put it in for that (the open garden scheme) and you’ve had a lot of visitors, why don’t you do the carnival?,” Shirley says. “Because you’ll get a lot of visitors and, and it will be more interesting because the visitors will spread out longer and you’ll be able to talk more to the visitors about your garden.

“I’ve expanded the garden because when I first entered, it was the back garden area only. But now I’ve gone in for the acreage area, so large garden.

“I’m a devil for punishment, aren’t I?,” she jokes.

Shirley’s country garden has a delightful cottage garden feel with gorgeous flowering trees, perennial shrubs, irises, annuals, and of course, the plant she is most famous for, roses.

All of this is complemented by lawns, water features, statues and post and rail fences.

“I’m excited because I’ll have different things planted and different things will be out,” Shirley says.

“And there’s areas that there’s not many plants

in at the moment, but I’m just going to scatter cosmo seeds and summer seeds and hopefully they’ll be coming up and it’s a 365 day of the year garden. It’s just not carnival time.

“I can go out in the garden any day of the year and pick flowers.

“And I just feel if I can give pleasure to other people from my garden, that’s what I like doing.”

Shirley’s love of gardening is apparent.

“I just love it. I love the friendship with gardening,” she says.

“My favourite thing about gardening?

“Relaxation is number one. Two being outside in the fresh air, getting all my vitamin D and all the exercise I need.

“And I know now that I’m getting older, I yeah, I do a fair bit of gardening on my hands and knees because my back does give me problems, but I keep going inch by inch.”

As all gardeners know, success is always subject to the elements and this year has been challenging.

While in past years, not enough rain has wreaked havoc, this year the opposite is true.

“It’s been such a difficult year with the rain,” Shirley says.

“And I would look outside and the water would be just lying in the garden beds. And I would look out the window and I’d think, how many times did I say, I wish it would rain? And it has been a challenge”

And just before our judges toured the gardens, there was a late frost, just to complicate things further.

“So I had here, (temperature) were minus three,” she says.

“So I really worked against the elements and but I’m sure the good Lord looked down upon me and has repaid me for all that I have done.”

Darling Downs Tarpaulins can supply watertight Dam Liners & Pond Liners from small to larger farm dams. We pre-fabricate the required material using welded seams. Choose from a range of fabrics, including and which all come with a

City Small Residential

KATHRYN JOWETT

or the past four years, Kathryn Jowett has entered the Chronicle Garden Competition, with this year’s garden a labour of love.

A year and a half ago, Kathryn relocated to her current residence at 4/459 Bridge St, Wilsonton, and with that came the mammoth task of rebuilding her garden from scratch.

“It had no garden or what we would call very, very, very, very minimalist, which meant that it was a great landscape for me to begin with all over again,” Kathryn says. Despite having to rebuild her garden from the ground up, Kathryn relished the challenge.

“I’ve just had so much fun,” she said. “It’s just been a real pleasure to rebuild a

whole new garden.”

From the distressed window panes and rusted mailboxes, to work boots sprouting greenery and a pair of decorative rainbow lorikeets, Kathryn says “my garden tells the story of Queensland.”

“From the arid outback, to the tropical north, to the history of our early farmers and graziers, and to the rich mountain soils of beautiful Toowoomba,” she says.

“For just a little whimsy, I also have a “Secret Garden.”

Her entry to the competition was prompted by her dear friend Shirley Mundt, who was herself a garden entrant for years.

Visiting Kathryn in her backyard five years ago, Shirley convinced Kathryn.

“She came to visit one day and said “your

garden is gorgeous, you should enter it in the Carnival!,” Kathryn says.

At the time, Kathryn was a member of the Bromeliad Club and thought it would be a great opportunity to promote bromeliads.

Kathryn was thrilled after her success and continued to enter the Chronicle Garden Competition.

Having grown up on a grain farm, gardening also takes her back to her childhood.

As Kathryn explains, she “loves telling a story” with her garden.

“I love looking at every challenge as an opportunity to create a work of art whose beauty thrives throughout each season of the year,” she says.

“I have loved putting my garden together section by section, creating my own story around the beauty that is Queensland.”

“To know that my garden’s story is so pleasurably received would be a true delight.”

City Medium Residential

BOB AND VAL FORD

here are very few lawns in the Darling Downs that boast the deep emerald green of Bob and Val Ford’s perfectly manicured plot at 19 Burke St, Rangeville, which has taken out this year’s Medium Residential in the City cohort.

“It’s been such a cold winter that it’s very hard to have it perfect now,” says Val, however many would beg to differ.

The gorgeous green rolls around the yard and sets the perfect contrast for the violet, buttery yellow and bright indigo sprays of pansies and snapdragons which hedge it.

Part Japanese zen, part English cottage, the multi award winning garden began its reign in the The Chronicle Garden competition over 30 years ago.

“We used to get the buses come past years ago when we had the house built,” Bob explains.

“It’s going back quite a few years when it was just a colourful garden - we got talked into it by the grand champions Rod and Maureen Hultgren, 31 years ago.”

Rod Hultgren, who sadly passed away in 2017, was a long-time ABC gardening talkback expert and a passionate gardener with an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants. He and his wife Maureen, who died peacefully just last year, won the Grand Champion Garden for their property at 13 Hinton Street, in 1989, 1991-1993, 1998 and 1999.

Maureen and Rod worked tirelessly for the community in support of a number of causes and were a driving force in the establishment of the Queensland State Rose Garden in

Newtown Park.

The couple were known for their love of roses, camellias and clivias, and inspired many of the entrants in subsequent years, not least of all Bob and Val Ford.

The Ford’s garden of sleepy conifers and hotpink azaleas epitomise the breadth of plants to be grown in the Darling Downs climate, drawing admirers from around the globe.

“It’s to have a nice garden, and to have

OUTDOOR BLINDS

wonderful people visit from all around the world, from every country in the world,” says Bob.

And yes, the garden is spectacular, but it’s that sea of green lawn that people covet most. How do they keep it looking so glorious after such an incredibly harsh year?

“Everyone wants my secret mixture, the thing I use to get it so green,” acknowledged Bob wryly. “Eventually I’ll let it loose.

Mon-Thu:

RICHARD AND ANNE-MAREE LINDEMANNCity Large Residential

or more than 10 years, AnneMaree and Richard Lindeman made the pilgrimage south from their home in Cairns to The Chronicle Garden Competition.

Upon moving to Toowoomba in 2017, they set about their long-held goal to create a garden they might be able to put forward for an award.

“It’s been on our bucket list to establish a garden worthy of entry into this event,” says Richard. “We love looking at other people’s gardens, so it was also an opportunity to repay the favour – and also get recognition from all the gardeners out there that we have done a good job creating something special.”

Not only can the couple now tick “entry” off their bucket list, but they can add “winner”, too. Taking out the price for City Large Residential at this year’s event is an exciting moment for the duo.

“Probably the most personal importance of winning is to be able to share our garden with other garden-loving folk who would come to visit gardens that have received an award,” says Richard.

The couple are passionate about native plants and wildlife, which is at the heart of their now-award-winning garden at 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields.

“The use of native plants is a critical element of the garden we have designed, and we take

much joy from creating a garden that attracts native wildlife,” says Richard. “Seeing wildlife using and living in our garden gives us as much pleasure as the gardening itself.” The design of their garden focuses on the natural landscape setting. A series of natural waterfalls and rock pools, as well as a formal water feature, provides natural sounds and reflections from the outdoor living spaces and indoor vistas of their home.

“We designed our garden to feature key ‘rooms’ where you can sit and appreciate it throughout the year,” says Richard. “A peculiar feature of our garden is the amoeba garden of Melaleuca claret tops. The amoeba gardens are in both the front and back spaces to link them together cohesively.”

Another standout element of Anne-Maree and Richard’s city garden is their fondness for recycling and reusing.

“From plants, rocks and tree stumps given away by others; to the use of old railway sleepers, tanks and fence posts; and reusing scrap metal for statues – we don’t like to pay full price for anything!”

Regional Small/Medium

DAVID AND GAY KEAREY

avid and Gay Kearey of 15 Beresford St, Pittsworth, have been entering The Chronicle Garden Competition for nearly 40 years to great success.

“We’ve been here [in the current property] for 25, 26 years,” Gay says.

“We’ve had three or four Grand Champions. We’ve always won a prize of some kind. “We just love the garden and we’re always in it.”

It was a tragic circumstance, however, that got the couple gardening in earnest almost 40 years ago.

“We were out at Condamine Plains, Brookstead, where we were Grand Champion out there too,” Gay explains.

“But we lost our daughter very young in age. And we loved the garden. She loved the garden. And it just became stronger for me, for the garden.

“I’m the closest to Susan I can be when I’m in the garden.”

It’s difficult for Gay to pick a favourite element of the garden, but roses and other all-year-round plants are up there.

“I just love everything. I’ve got so many perennials and permanent things, and this is why I don’t really go for all the annuals - I like an all year round garden; it’s always nice.”

“The people all just love it because they come to a country garden and they see things that they don’t see in other gardens.”

The past year has been challenging for the Keareys, though.

“I’d be ecstatic [if we won] because I don’t

think it’s good enough for this year,” Gay says.

“We’re getting older too, so it’s not that easy, you know,” David adds.

“It’s been a bit trying with the rain and the frost and late frost,” Gay says, with David adding that recently they’d experienced the most severe frost in about 15 years.

THE LIFESTYLE you deserve

At The Ninth Middle Ridge you will discover a very different retirement lifestyle unlike anything offered on the Darling Downs. Our community embraces luxury, friendship, security - all in a peaceful, green space.

Choose your spacious apartment or sumptuous penthouse in our maintenance-free village with an outlook across the range or the rolling fairways of the Toowoomba Golf Club.

To inspect our display apartments, call 0498 661 150.

235 Rowbotham Street, Middle Ridge, Toowoomba

“David was away, he was across Australia and I was here on my own, and our outdoor living area, it just froze. But it’s been pretty good since then hasn’t it?”

The garden has certainly risen to the occasion, with the Kearneys winning first prize for Small/Medium Residential. Congratulations!

Regional Large Residential

WAYNE AND NARELLE SCHICK

rom the street, the unassuming 4 Booth Crt seems like any other well-kept home. Yet out the back, owners Wayne and Narelle Schick have created a garden worthy of the Large Residential award.

“We think the most intriguing aspect of our garden is the size of the block,” says Wayne and Narelle.

“From the street, our garden looks like a normal sized suburban block, but walking into the backyard there is almost 2000sq m of garden.”

Wayne and Narelle have been entering The Chronicle Garden Competition for the past 34 years, and say the win is a nice addition to a hobby they enjoy together.

“To win is a lovely bonus on something we do for our own pleasure,” they say.

“It’s a hobby we can do together and be out in the fresh air and sunshine.”

Their interest in gardening dates back to early marriage, where they enjoyed visiting the competition gardens each year.

“Then we thought we’d give the competition a try ourselves, so bought a larger block of land and set about building a new house and creating our garden,” the couple says.

Just as they enjoy visiting other gardens, the pair get plenty of visitors through their Oakey garden.

“We get people come in the front, look at the front garden and say, ‘is there any more?’” Narelle says.

“We just tell them to head round the back and when they do, they just can’t believe it. It surprises so many people.”

The garden features a gazebo, multiple sitting areas and garden beds, with a manicured lawn that winds through it all. With plenty of space and a picturesque setting, the Schick’s have even held a wedding in their garden.

A large garden requires an equally large amount of effort, however the upkeep is a job which Wayne and Narelle say is a rewarding and enjoyable process.

“It is so exciting when a new plant flowers for the first time, and also rewarding when we plan a new area and it all comes together,” they say.

“It sure beats doing housework.”

Rural Residential

SHIRLEY CRONK

hirley Cronk has been entering The Chronicle Garden Competition for four or five years now with her property at 123 McLean Rd, Pechey - and that dedication has paid off with Shirley taking home first place for Rural Residential this year.

“I’ve expanded the garden because when I first entered, it was the back garden only. But now I’ve gone in for the acreage area, so large garden - I’m a devil for punishment, aren’t I?” Shirley says.

It was the Australian Open Garden Scheme that prompted Shirley to first enter her garden into the competition.

“Someone said, ‘look, if you put it in for that and you’ve had a lot of visitors, why don’t you do the Carnival? Because you’ll get a lot of visitors and it will be more interesting because the visitors will spread out longer and you’ll be able to talk more to the visitors about your garden.’,” Shirley says.

“I love the friendship with gardening. My favourite thing about gardening? Relaxation is number one.

“Two is being outside in the fresh air, getting all my Vitamin D and all the exercise I need.

“And I know now that I’m getting older, I do a fair bit of gardening on my hands and knees because my back does give me problems, but I keep going inch by inch.” Winning an award this year would put Shirley over the moon, she told the judging team.

“It’s been such a difficult year, with the rain. I would look outside and the water would be just lying in the garden beds.

“And I would look out the window and I’d

think, how many times did I say, I wish it would rain?

“It’s been a challenge, and then the frost - we were minus three.

“So I really worked against the elements and I’m sure the good Lord looked down upon me and has repaid me for all I have done.”

Overall, though, it’s the sharing that gardening allows Shirley to participate in that she comes back to.

“I can go out in the garden any day of the year and pick flowers.

“And I take bunches down to the doctor’s surgery and my daughter takes them - she used to take them into the school when she worked at the school, but now she takes them to the day care centre.

“The little ones love the different flowers and they smell them. They look at them and play with them.

“And I just feel if I can give pleasure to other people from my garden, that’s what I like doing.”

Everyday essentials at Toowoomba Plaza

BOB AND VAL FORDCity Front Garden

t may not be the fountain of youth, but Bob and Val Ford are convinced that it’s gardening that keeps them young.

For as long as there has been decimal currency in Australia, Bob and Val have been working on the garden of the home they built at 19 Burke St, Rangeville.

Some 25 years later the couple started another long-standing tradition, one that continues to this day - entering The Chronicle Garden Competition. They finished second in their first effort in 1991 and this year took out the best City Front

Garden award.

That first entry came at the suggestion of the late Rod Hultgren, the long-time ABC gardening talkback expert who himself was no stranger to continued success in The Chronicle Garden Competition as a regular winner of champion garden with his wife Maureen.

And their horticultural prowess is not just benefiting these 79-year-old pensioners.

It’s made their home something of a tourist attraction - they say buses have always stopped for a look - and contributed to Toowoomba’s standing as the Garden City of

Australia.

The secret of their success is not so secret at all. They do all the work themselves and have an eye for colour.

“We believe colour is the winning part of our garden as the general public loves all the big variety of flowers we can grow,” Bob says.

“We have several features which make the garden more attractive for the public. We love full colour in our garden as that was the way this competition began. We intend to keep this format as the public is always interested in how we get everything to flower at the right time.

“We like our Japanese theme, our arbour and our sitting area.”

“It’s to have a nice garden [for] all the wonderful people that come and visit from all around the world … every country in the world.

“And it’s one of Toowoomba’s biggest social events, really brings a lot of money into the city. And it’s been going for 70-odd years, so it proves that it is a great event.”

Among the beds, baskets and bunches of blooms, there are some favourite features for the couple. Val says she’s partial to their Val conifers, while Bob likes their maples and the different varieties of flowers that can be grown in Toowoomba.

But there is one aspect of the garden on which Bob is coy - how he gets the lawns so lush.

He maintains it’s been such a cold winter that it’s very hard to have it looking perfect now, but concedes that “everyone wants my secret mixture”.

“Eventually I’ll let it loose,” he promises.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

“All things bright and beautiful”

Floral Display open 9am – 5pm from Friday 16 September to Wednesday 21 September.

Pipe Organ concert Monday 19 September 10.15am, Dr Steven Nisbet OAM.

All donations to help cover floral costs greatly appreciated.

LEISA AND SERGE ROSSIGNOLCity Back Garden

eisa and Serge Rossignol are proof of the adage that if you build it, they will come. They had people by the busload - Leisa estimates 10,000 people - come through their 112 Neil St home in South Toowoomba for The Chronicle Garden Competition in 2021, in which they won five different prizes and were named Grand Champion Garden.

“The buses came from as far as Mackay, Bundaberg, and then you had Scarborough, Redcliffe, Stanthorpe, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane. They came from everywhere,” Serge says.

“A lot of friends and family came in, people we hadn’t seen for a long time. It’s lovely just talking to people and showing them around and answering all their questions.”

The couple can bank on getting plenty more visitors this year after taking out the city Back Garden category in this year’s competition. But the accolades are not the driving force behind their passion.

Leisa says she has loved The Chronicle Garden Competition “right from childhood”. But what she most looks forward to is the opportunity to share their passion with likeminded souls.

“I think the home gardens are the grass roots of what The Chronicle Garden Competition has been built on and it really has to be focused on those gardens to bring the visitors, the tourists, anybody who loves gardening or just wants to be out of home and seeing some beautiful things,” she says. Given their win this year, it is probably no surprise that Serge says the back garden is

his personal highlight of their garden. The outdoor living area they built provides a lovely place to entertain and relax. Beyond an arbour is a French-styled kitchen garden (or “potager”) and pink “summer house”. It is here that the bees are the busiest in an area that is full of vegetables and flowers in spring and summer.

“The visitors from last year were delighted to

explore this area,” Serge says.

“With gardening, when you put in the effort you get great results.

“I mean, with the vegie patch there, why buy vegies when you can grow them yourself?

“Like Costa says on Gardening Australia, it’s not a destination, it’s a journey, so gardening is fun.”

City Small Space -

Potted Plant Collection, Veranda, Courtyard or Balcony Garden

KATHRYN JOWETT

tepping into Kathryn Jowett’s garden is like stepping into a little corner of Queensland. This garden took out the Small SpacePotted Plant Collection, Veranda, Courtyard or Balcony Garden award, and is filled with the Sunshine State’s favourite plants and flowers.

“The older I get, the more Queensland I get,” Kathryn says.

“So if you come visit my backyard, you’ll visit Queensland.”

With a bit of outback, tropical north and rich mountain soils of Toowoomba, this Wilsonton garden tells a story from the backyard of 4/459 Bridge St.

“My garden tells the story of Queensland,” she says.

Kathryn is no stranger to The Chronicle Garden Competition, and was inspired to enter this year after moving to a new space.

“This will be my fourth year of entering my gardens,” she says.

“A recent move has me starting all over again from scratch.”

With a new but unfamiliar area to work with, Kathryn’s skills were put to the test as she turned a minimalist space into an awardwinning garden.

“I relocated to this unit a year and a half ago,” she says.

“It had no garden, or a very minimalist

garden, and was a completely different environment with different sun and aspects.”

Making the most of the area, Kathryn says it offered a great landscape for a fresh start.

“I’ve just had so much fun,” she says.

“It’s just been a real pleasure to rebuild a whole new garden.”

Despite the limited space, Kathryn has thoughtfully arranged greenery and colour to create an area that she loves to both work in and enjoy.

“A gardener loves everything they do in their garden,” she says.

“I love having people come and sit in my backyard with me, have a coffee, have a tea.”

From the potted plants and letterboxes that line the fence to hanging greenery and the goldfish pond, this garden is packed with life and interest.

“Even if I don’t feed the goldfish when we stand around the fish pond, they’ll come up to you,” Kathryn says.

“I love it all wherever I’m looking.”

City Sustainable Garden

RUBY BRUNNER

t was the sudden passing of her husband back in 1985 which moved Ruby Brunner to turn her hands to the garden. In the years since, Ruby has created a lush oasis for her home at 38A Crown St, Rangeville.

“I always love gardens and so did he. So then I started doing mine and I haven’t missed one in 36 years,”says the 86 year old Ruby.

“Every year I learn something new and this is how I relax – apart from bingo.”

The mum-of-three boys now receives a little help in her garden from her family and hopes she can pass her hobby down to her grandchildren too.

With its romantic drapes of spanish moss and early blooming jasmine, winding footpaths and artfully placed fruit trees, Ruby’s backyard is a favourite for children in particular.

“It’s lovely to see the children enjoying everything, not just standing there lookingthey’re just having fun and running around. My neighbours’ two littlies love it,” she says. The City Sustainable Garden winner says the droves of visitors initially took some getting used to, but over time has become her favourite thing about the competition.

“You know, you meet such a lovely lot of people, and I have visitors that come from out of town and pop in to say hello.”

“The first year was nerve-wracking, cause I’m a nervous sort of person. But now I look forward to it.”

Those visitor numbers are not in the least insignificant; this year alone Toowoomba is predicting up to 300,000 revellers to visit the month-long festivities, making it

one of regional Australia’s most significant tourism events.

At a stately 73 years old it is the longestrunning floral event of its kind in the country and over 190,000 bulbs and seedlings are planted by the dedicated gardeners each year to ensure the flowers are

blooming perfectly for visitors. For 36 of those years Ruby has proudly tended her own garden to be part of the celebration, however she has flagged this year as her last and calls this win, “Icing on the cake. I think this year will be my last so it’s a nice send off.”

• Situated in the quaint country town of Cambooya, 10 minutes from Toowoomba, on the Warwick Road

• Experience the authentic 1900s old world atmosphere

• Lunch and dinner 7 days

• The ultimate dining experience, delicious gourmet menu

• Coffee, daily meal specials, take away meals & pizzas

• Comfortable quality country style accommodation

or Serge and Leisa Rossignol, winning the City Productive Area award in The Chronicle Garden

Competition for their 112 Neil St, South Toowoomba home also provides an opportunity to share their garden with visitors.

“I’ve always loved Carnival of Flowers, right from childhood,” Leisa says.

“I love the idea of just sharing your garden with other people, just to be able to open your home and your garden to show people ideas and different things that they might be able to take away and do themselves.”

And yes, they do get busloads of visitors.

“Last year, we had lots of buses,” Leisa says. “We estimated we had about 10,000 people

through the garden last year.”

Serge reveals buses came from as far as Mackay, Bundaberg, Scarborough, Redcliffe, Stanthorpe, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

“They came from everywhere,” he says. Leisa now wonders how many people will visit in 2022 with Covid-related border closures now at an end.

“Last year, the border was still closed so it’ll be interesting to see this year how many people we get from interstate,” she says.

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers puts the garden city in the nationwide spotlight in September.

“We believe that people come to Toowoomba to see the private gardens and parks,” Leisa

says.

“From our experience, people love to visit everyday gardens and are so receptive to ideas from visiting the many different styles of gardens in the competition.

“We enjoy being able to provide this experience for visitors to Toowoomba.”

The couple are also honoured the fruits of their labour have been recognised.

“Gardening brings absolute joy to my soul,” Leisa says.

“Being able to provide food for my family and beautiful flowers to share is an absolute highlight at the height of each season.

“To be able to create a place that brings peace and happiness not only to us, but to our family and friends brings pleasure to us.

“Gardening is a never-ending learning experiencing and being able to share that with others is always lovely.

“We are so blessed here in Toowoomba to have many people who share their knowledge freely.”

City Footpath Garden

BOB AND VAL FORD

or Bob and Val Ford, showing off their beautiful, bright garden at 19 Burke St, Rangeville, isn’t a new experience.

This year marks the 31st time they’ve entered The Chronicle Garden Competition, and the garden-loving couple show no signs of slowing down.

“We love gardening as it keeps us young and active,” says Bob. “Seeing all the little seedlings grow into a magnificent array of colour – it’s a challenge to make the garden more colourful and a pleasure for the public to admire.”

And the public do love to admire the Fords’ garden. Passerbys have been stopping out the front to admire their rainbow lawns for many years.

“Buses have always stopped to look at our garden,” says Bob.

“So eventually we were convinced to enter The Chronicle Garden Competition – and 31 years later we’re still in it!”

This is a special year for the couple, both 79 years old, because they’ve taken out the award for City Footpath Garden.

“We have several features which make the garden more attractive for the public,” says Bob.

“We love the colour in our garden – we believe colour is the winning part of our garden as the general public love the variety of flowers we can grow.

“The public is always interested in how we get everything to flower at the right time. It’s a delight to show visitors the beauty of our garden.”

From family weddings and engagement

Midwifery Continuity of Care for pregnancy,

parties hosted in the backyard, to attracting the attention of many-a passerby, one thing is clear about the Ford’s award-winning garden: it’s a worthy winner at this year’s event.

Meeting the needs of women and their families across the Darling Downs!

City First Time Entrant

KATHRYN JOWETT

ardening is a part of Kathryn Jowett’s DNA, and led her to win the First Time Entrant award at The Chronicle Garden Awards this year.

“My parents were farming people, they were grain growers, and I just love being a gardener,” Kathryn says.

“I’ve come to understand that it’s still in my DNA - it’s in my genes.”

Now in retirement, Kathryn found the time and inspiration to transform her new space and tell a Queensland-inspired story.

“There’s a sentimental part of my garden that takes me back to my childhood and growing up on the farm,” she says.

Her small and now scenic backyard is draws from the outback, tropical north, mountain

soils of Toowoomba and the history of early farmers and graziers. Amongst the greenery and flowers, Kathryn also added her secret garden.

“I have loved putting my garden together section by section, and creating my own story around the beauty that is Queensland,” she says.

The fence is lined with potted plants, rustic letterboxes and a statement window complete with curtains and a corrugated iron window hood. Meanwhile, hanging plants and a pond of goldfish feature in Kathryn’s garden.

With plenty of areas to admire, Kathryn can’t choose a favourite.

“Love is everything in my garden - where I’m looking is what I love,” she says.

“Where my eyes rest at any given time is my favourite feature in my garden.”

This is Kathryn’s fourth year entering The Chronicle Garden Competition, but her first year showcasing the garden at 4/459 Bridge St.

“A recent move has me starting all over again from scratch,” she says.

With a new environment and landscape to work with, Kathryn created a space that herself and her guests could enjoy yearround.

“I love looking at every challenge as an opportunity to create a work of art whose beauty thrives throughout each season of the year,” she says.

“I love having people come and sit in my backyard with me.”

A friend first encouraged Kathryn to entera move which has reignited her passion for gardening.

“The first year I was really successful, and I was thrilled,” she says.

“I caught the bug and now I continue to enter.”

TIFFANY WICKS

ll gardens, like all Chronicle Garden Competition winners, begin somewhere.

Tiffany Wicks’ 6 Fairholme Street home in Mt Lofty, first time entrant and winner of the City category for under 45s, started her garden at almost exactly the same time she started her family.

The mum to a four and a half year old, a two and a half year old and a ten month old, picked up the tools at the end of 2019.

“My garden is very young and I’m definitely very new to gardening, but I thought that this year would be a good time to give the competition a go,”she says.

In those short three years she has become a true greenthumb.

“I’ve just loved every bit of it. I can’t wait to show others and hopefully motivate some younger gardeners and people with young families.”

Tiffany says she manages to work her plants with children in tow, “It’s also great for them to be outside and it gives me something that I can do and achieve with them alongside.” She’s also a big advocate for gardening for those in need of a little mum time too.

“I also think it’s great, a great way for mums to get out and have a little bit of a break from the children. With my three young children, it’s been a real juggle and I’ve been out here every single day any chance I can get.”

Of her garden Clinical Psychologist Tiffany says, “My favourite feature would probably be my lavender and my flowering peach trees.”

“They just give and give, and they have so much colour.”

Orderly but still incredibly verdant, her large lavender bushes and mostly pink and purple flower palette soften the stonework and skirt a large pay area for the kids.

The garden has been carefully curated to delight all senses; the sound of a water feature bubbling away, the scent of lavender and blossom, the kid-friendly bushes that

City Under 45 Years WAY

invite you to brush a hand across them. Completely thrilled at her win, Tiffany says, “I’m so excited and obviously very proud. It’s a lovely thing, just to have acknowledged all the hard work I’ve put in.”

But like a true gardener she finishes by saying, “Most of all, I just absolutely love flowers.”

BOB AND VAL FORDCity Over 75 Years

ob and Val Ford adore their garden - it has been a labour of love for the couple since they built their home in 1966 and has been a mainstay entrant in The Chronicle Garden competition for over 30 years.

Bob and Val, both 79, have tended their garden, at 19 Burke St, lovingly since the beginning and continue to do so.

“We love gardening as it keeps one young and active,” Bob says.

“It’s seeing all those little seedlings grow into a magnificent display of colour.

“It’s a challenge to make the garden more colourful and a pleasure for the public to admire.”

Bob and Val put hours of planning, effort

into creating a gorgeous display in their garden, and this effort has been rewarded time and again.

The avid gardeners have been winning awards in the competition since the beginning - winning second place the very first time they entered.

“We have several features which make the garden more attractive for the public,” Val says.

“We love a fill of colour in our garden as that was the way this competition began.

“We intend to keep this format as the public are always interested in how we get everything in flower at the right time.”

“We believe colour is the winning part of our garden as the general public love the big variety of flowers we can grow,” Bob says.

And their secret to creating a gorgeous display: “Colour. Colour is a big part of our garden, which all the visitors want to see.” When asked about their favourite parts of their magical oasis, they offer a simple answer.

“We like our Japanese theme, our arbour and sitting area,” Bob says.

“And I like the maples.”

“It’s the conifers for me,” Val says. These passionate gardens are proud to have been a part of The Chronicle Garden Competition, and by extension the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, for 31 years and aim to be involved for many more years.

They see participation in the competition as their way of helping to keep Toowoomba on the map as the Garden City of Australia.

“(Our favourite part of this competition is) to have a nice garden and all the wonderful people that come and visit from all around the world,” Bob says.

“And it’s one of Toowoomba’s biggest social events.

“It proves that it is a great event.”

KELLIE AND MARK GERSEKOWSKIRegional Front Garden

heir bright cottage-esque garden at 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest, has won Kellie and Mark Gersekowski first place for Regional Front Garden.

The colourful blooms and lush foliage welcomes visitors, an impressive space especially when you consider that Kellie has only been entering it in the garden competition for two years.

“I always loved spring and I love the Carnival gardens, but it was visiting another garden, another country garden, that really inspired me [to enter].

“It was something I always dreamed of doing, so with the encouragement and support of fellow Carnival gardeners I decided to give it a go,” Kellie says.

Kellie loves all of her garden, but it’s the calm nature of the space that really has her heart.

“I don’t really have a favourite spot yet, I enjoy all of it - certain parts of the garden at different times of the year that’s more beautiful.

“I have lots and lots of beautiful colour and special pieces dotted throughout the garden to give it its own charm.”

Similarly, it’s the relaxing nature of gardening and being outside that Kellie finds most enjoyable about the pastime.

As one of the youngest entrants, Kellie says she would be stoked to win.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the youngest, and being the youngest in the whole of the competition, against so many other experienced gardeners - to be recognised as one of the best in the region - it would mean the world.

“It would be such a huge achievement.”

Empire Theatre

Regional Back Garden

WAYNE AND NARELLE SCHICK

ayne and Narelle Schick are veteran entrants in The Chronicle Garden Competition.

This year, they have also won the Regional Back Garden category for their 4 Booth Court, Oakey home.

“We think the most intriguing aspect of our garden is the size of the block,” Wayne says.

“From the street, our garden looks like a normal-sized suburban block but walking into the backyard, there is almost 2000sq m of garden.

“It surprises so many people.

“We get people for carnival, they come in the front and they look at the front garden and then they’ll say: Anymore? And we say: Just head out the back, you’ll find a bit more.

“Then, when they come back, they just, they can’t believe it.

“To win is a lovely bonus on something we do for our own pleasure.”

Narelle says visitors are blown away by the back garden.

“It always gives us a thrill when people walk around the back expecting just a normal suburban block and they come back and they shocked just to realise that it’s such a huge block,” she says

The couple have been entering The Chronicle Garden Competition for 34 years although they have missed a couple of years due to drought and Covid-19.

“When we first married, we enjoyed visiting all of the competition gardens,” Narelle says.

“Then we thought: Why don’t we give the

competition a try ourselves.”

They bought a larger block of land and set about building a new house and creating their garden.

“I think we got a prize the first year, which sort of, you know, spurred us on,” Wayne says.

Narelle says it is a pursuit the couple very much enjoy.

“It is a hobby we can do together and be out in the fresh air and sunshine,” she says.

“It is so exciting when a new plant flowers and the first time and also rewarding when we plan a new area and it all comes together. It sure beats doing housework.”

The garden at their home has also been used as a setting for graduation photography and a wedding.

Regional Small Space -

Potted Plant Collection, Veranda, Courtyard or Balcony Garden

SHIRLEY CRONK

rom the lichen covered fences to the gothic stonework and ribbons of cherry blossoms, Shirley Cronk’s country garden sits like a mirage on the expanse of McLean Rd, Crows Nest.

It is to this civil little space that she hosts hundreds of Chronicle Garden Competition visitors most years.

“I just hope I’ll have plenty of visitors, because it’s just great. I know that I have a few buses coming. I’m excited because I’ll have different things planted and different things will be out,” says this year’s Regional Small Space - Potted Plant Collection, Veranda, Courtyard or Balcony Garden winner.

“I just feel that if I can give pleasure to other people from my garden, that’s what I like doing.”

While she echoes the sentiment of many carnival gardeners about the difficult growing year they’ve had, Shirley is cheerful about the month ahead.

“I would look outside and the water would be just lying in the garden beds and I would look out the window and think, how many times did I say, I wish it would rain?” she says.

“So there are areas where there are not many plants at the moment but I’m just going to scatter cosmo seeds and summer seeds and hopefully they’ll be coming up.”

This pragmatic approach to gardening gives her plot a beautiful mix of plants, from a regal cactus towering over pretty daisies, to ankle-grazing pansies and the occasional poppy.

Classic bushes of lavender scent the air and the garden’s immaculate lines make it easy to wander about without doing too much damage.

It’s a well-planned garden that is clearly maintained by someone who knows her way around a set of secateurs.

The joy Shirley’s garden brings her all year ‘round is palpable.

“I can go out in the garden any day of the year and pick flowers. I take bunches down to the doctor’s surgery and my daughter takes them to the day care centre. The little ones love the different flowers,” she says. She makes sure to explain that hers is a 365

day a year garden. She counts it as one of her favourite things.

“Being outside in the fresh air, getting my vitamin D and all the exercise I need.

“And now that I’m getting older I do a fair bit of gardening on my hands and knees because my back does give me problems, but I keep going inch by inch.”

SHIRLEY CRONKRegional Acreage Garden

ith winding garden beds, hidden water features and a rainbow of blossoming flowers, it’s no surprise Shirley Cronk’s beautiful country garden won this year’s award for Regional Acreage at The Chronicle Garden Competition. At home in the small country town of Pechey, 30-minutes drive out of Toowoomba and with a population of just over 100, Shirley’s colourful garden is a sight to behold. After a difficult year of intense rain, and recent challenging low temperatures, she says her winning the prize for her beloved garden is a thrill.

“This is my fourth or fifth year entering –I’ve expanded the garden because when I first entered, it was only the back area. But

now I’ve gone in for the acreage area, so a large garden – I’m a devil for punishment, aren’t I?” says Shirley.

With her expanded garden to show off at 123 McLean Rd, Pechey, she’s ready to welcome the many visitors and gardening enthusiasts wanting a glimpse of her bright cottage garden.

“I just love it. I hope I’ll have plenty of visitors, because it’s just great – I love the friendship with gardening,” she says. “I’m excited because I’ll have different things planted and different things will be out. And there’s areas that there’s not many plants in at the moment. But I’m going to scatter cosmo seeds and summer seeds and hopefully they’ll be coming up and it will be a 365-dayof-the-year garden.”

Her close relationship with being outside in her well-kept garden is clear for any passerby – the enjoyment displayed in the neat edges and bright blossoms.

“My favourite thing about gardening? Relaxation is number one. Two, is being outside in the fresh air, getting all my vitamin D and the exercise I need,” she says, adding that sharing the beautiful blooms with her family and friends is another favourite thing to do.

“I take bunches down to the doctor’s surgery and my daughter takes them – she used to take them into the school where she worked but now she takes them to the daycare centre. She’s working there with the little ones who love all the different flowers and smells.

“If I can give pleasure to other people from my garden, then that’s what I like doing,” she says.

Regional Sustainable Garden

WAYNE AND NARELLE SCHICK

ayne and Narelle Schick’s garden truly is the gift that keeps on giving - in every sense of the word. Only Covid and drought has kept them from taking part in The Chronicle Garden Competition since they first entered in 1988. Wayne says the fact that they won a prize in their first year spurred them on. That winning streak has continued this year, with the couple’s home at 4 Booth Crt, Oakey, taking out the regional Sustainable Garden category.

The property is picturesque enough to have been the setting for graduation photos and even a wedding over the years. But that’s not what grabs people’s attention.

Actually it’s what you can’t see at first glance that is infinitely more interesting to the many visitors they have. What from the street looks like a suburban block opens out to 2000sq m of garden at the back of the house. People who drop by during The Chronicle Garden Competition and are merely told there’s “a bit more” out back are invariably blown away by what they discover, according to Narelle.

“It always gives us a thrill when people walk around the back expecting just a normal suburban block and they come back and they are shocked just to realise that it’s such a huge block,” she says.

“So many are shocked when they look.

“When we were first married, we used to go and see all the competition gardens, and eventually we thought, ‘Why don’t we have a go?’.

“So we looked for a larger block of land, built

the house, and started planning the gardens.” The result is a neat-as-a-pin verdant oasis with expanses of lawn, leafy enclaves, pops of colour and a tranquil atmosphere, with the odd quirky touch here and there.

And while Narelle says their latest accolade is a nice reward for a lot of hard work, she confesses there is another reason why she

loves being in the garden with Wayne.

“It is a hobby we can do together and be out in the fresh air and sunshine,” she explains.

“It is so exciting when a new plant flowers for the first time and also rewarding when we plan a new area and it all comes together.

“It sure beats doing housework!”

MERV AND ALMA FOWLERRegional Productive Garden

reating a beautiful and productive garden can be challenging, but it is a challenge Mervyn and Alma Fowler have relished, claiming the The Chronicle Garden Competition 2022 Regional Productive Area prize.

Merv and Alma have created an extensive vegetable garden, among their lovely floral displays, at 7 Bowden St, Pittsworth. The couple have been entering the competition for the past 10 years but they have shared a love of gardening for years. In their first year they won the regional novice garden section, which lit a fire to continue to enter.

Mervyn has a simple answer for why they have created their little slice of paradise.

“(I like) watching stuff grow,” he says.

“And being out among it and seeing butterflies, bees, birds. It’s beautiful,” Alma adds.

“We both love gardening.

“What we love most about gardening is the rewards for our efforts and we have many birds, lizards and bees as residents.”

Mervyn takes particular pride in the vegetable garden.

“(I like) just growing vegetables. Or trying to grow vegetables,” he says.

“We’re a big family, (so we it) share around.”

Alma’s favourite feature of the whole garden

is her garden gate.

“The gate was made by a friend from about 100-year-old bed ends,” she says. They are looking forward to sharing the joy of their garden with the public come Carnival of Flowers time.

“The joy in all our work would be recognised and (open) for the public to enjoy our garden,” Alma says.

“We’d love to see the people coming in (so) they can see what we’ve done in the 12 months since last year.”

Regional Footpath Garden

VAL HOHN

al Hohn believes in miracles.

The Pittsworth resident began gardening when she retired – an activity that encouraged her to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine in her small country town. When her friends convinced her to enter The Chronicle Garden Competition, she assumed that winning the prize was a long shot. But she didn’t give up hope.

“I thought it would mean a miracle had happened if I were to win. But they do happen!” says Val, who adds that she is excited and proud to have taken out the award for Regional Footpath Garden at this year’s event.

From the peaceful front lawn of her home in the friendly town of Pittsworth, a pleasant 30-minute drive from Toowoomba, Val explains that her motivation for entering the event was two fold. Not only was her newfound love of gardening encouraging her to enter the competition, it was also the love she had for Pittsworth.

“I realised how important it is for our town to have visitors to welcome and gardens to see,” she says. “Perhaps these visitors may decide to become future residents or, as we do, just enjoy a friendly chat. The money they spend helps our economy and hopefully they will leave with a smile on their face and a good word to say about our hospitality and our town.”

The name of Val’s garden at 18 Short St, Pittsworth is Harmony, which came to her one day when she saw the birds and bees flitting about and enjoying the surroundings

she had created for them.

“I felt very happy,” she says, “it’s a nice, peaceful area, I thought I’d name it Harmony.”

The front part of her garden is her favourite, she says, an area that features a fish tank and many plants of all ages.

“I love to plant things,” she says, “I love to

see how they’ll end up. My garden is fairly full – I tend to get a little carried away when I’m planting.”

While Val is excited to have won a prize for her treasured garden, perhaps it’s the residents of Pittsworth who are the real beneficiaries.

Regional Over 75 Years

SHIRLEY CRONK

ith a garden name like Garden-of-roses, seasoned gardener

Shirley Grace Cronk is ready to enter her fifth year of the Chronicle Garden Competition. Her entry into the competition at 123 McLean Rd, Pechy, came about when she entered the Australian Open Garden Scheme.

“Someone said if you put it in for that (the Australian Open Garden Scheme) and you’ve had a lot of visitors, why don’t you do the Chronicle Garden Competition?,” she says. “You’ll get a lot of visitors and it will be more interesting because the visitors will spread out longer and you’ll be able to talk more to the visitors about your garden.”

At the entrance to the garden, visitors are greeted with the name Garden-ofroses inscribed on a piece of wood and surrounded by a row of blooming white daisies.

Winding paths of grass stretch throughout the large garden, showcasing an assortment of greenery and colourful blooms, an elegant stone water feature and statues that have a secret garden feel.

Shirley enjoys gardening and the peace that comes with it.

“I know now that I’m getting older, [and] I do a fair bit of gardening on my hands and knees because my back does give me problems, but I keep going inch by inch.” “Being outside in the fresh air, getting all my vitamin D and all the exercise I need” is another aspect Shirly enjoys about gardening.

This energy did not waver, even with the

elements - rain and frost - making it difficult for Shirley to tend to her garden. At one point saying they were at “minus three” degrees.

“I really worked against the elements, but I’m sure the good Lord looked down upon me and has repaid me for all [of the work] I have done,” she says.

Now that the competition is underway, Shirley is looking forward to receiving visitors with two buses scheduled to visit her garden after the judging is announced.

“I’m excited because I’ll have different things planted,” she says.

She is also hoping to have her garden bloom 365-days of the year, with her flowers adored by people in the community.

The daycare centre where Shirley’s daughter works, adores the flowers she brings in and says the kids love playing and smelling the different flowers.

Shirley says, “I feel if I can give pleasure to other people from my garden, that’s what I like doing”.

You

MARK AND KELLIE GERSEKOWSKIRegional Under 45 Years

he might be the youngest gardener in The Chronicle Garden Competition, but Kellie Gersekowski could also be the most excited. In only her second year entering the annual awards event, she describes winning the prize for Regional Under 45 Years Gardener as a “huge achievement”.

“To have my garden that I have created recognised as one of the top gardens in our region, I am forever grateful and absolutely thrilled,” she says.

Apart from enjoying being out in the fresh air, Kellie says the satisfaction she gets from her favourite hobby is from watching her masterpiece evolve from planning in the cold months, to bursting with colour and life come spring.

“I feel it’s a very calm place to be,” says Kellie, of her garden at her home at 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest, in the Darling Downs. “I have lots and lots of beautiful colour and special pieces dotted throughout the garden to give it its own charm.”

The inspiration behind her work, and dedication to creating a colourful and eclectic country garden, grew from visiting the gardens of other entrants in the competition in previous years.

“I have always loved visiting gardens during The Chronicle Garden Competition, and entering was something I always dreamed of doing,” says Kellie. “With the encouragement and support of fellow carnival gardeners I decided to give it a go.

“Other country gardens have really inspired me,” she says, “it’s been really good along the way to help me get involved.”

She’s also inspired by the turn of the season –springtime being her favourite time of year. Kellie’s well-finished, country-style garden has many rustic treasures hidden throughout the explosions of bright, floral colours. From a cattle railing and wagon wheel, to an emu sculpture and rusted windmill, the country cottage ambiance carries all the way through her garden.

“To have my garden recognised... I am forever grateful and absolutely thrilled.”

Kellie Gersekowski

CHRIS AND STEVE FELDMANRegional First Time Entrant

hris and Steve Feldman are celebrating claiming the Regional First-Time Entrant category prize in The Chronicle Garden Competition.

The impetus for the entry featuring their garden at 7 Cedarwood Drive, Crows Nest was raising money for their local ambulance service.

“Enter The Chronicle Garden Competition and hopefully, you’ll raise a bit of money for the local ambulance was what people sort of told me,” Chris says.

And the suggestion is now set to reap a reward for the service.

Chris says it is wonderful the couple have claimed the Regional First-Time Entrant category prize admitting they were up

against some stiff competition.

“I think it’s been a miracle,” she said.

Although Steve has proven to be the driving force for the garden, Chris says she has enjoyed watching the garden evolve over the years.

Asked what she loves most about gardening, Chris says: “Oh, I think it’s just to achieve something, to see something grow. And the outcome of it.”

Chris says she is happy other people can visit and enjoy the garden.

“It’s just nice to relax in and bring family and friends,” she says.

The display is at the front of the couple’s single-level property and includes an established garden with lawn, trees and shrubs.

The Feldmans are just two of the thousands of passionate gardeners who work yearround transforming their private gardens into stunning floral showpieces with The Chronicle Garden Competition offering visitors the opportunity to visit the beautiful gardens that have been entered.

Crows Nest is about 44km north east of Toowoomba perched on the crest of the Great Dividing Range and home to the original Ray White real estate office where the business started in 1902.

Australian Getaway Tours operate garden tours of Highfields, Spring Bluff and Crows Nest during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers with the door-to-door tour providing stress-free travel to local gardens and an introduction to attractions outside Toowoomba.

Tours visit the three localities and include visits to private gardens and other attractions, including a morning tea stop, lunch and finish with a wine and cheese tasting.

SHIRLEY MUNDT

DOWNS STEAM

CROWS NEST TOURIST PARK

TIFFANY WICKS

VAL HOHN

BLUE HAZE

DAVID AND GAY KEAREY

HIGHFIELDS PIONEER VILLAGE

GEHAM STATE SCHOOL

DARLING DOWNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

THE MULBERRY PROJECT

GLENVALE VILLAS

CAMBOOYA STATE SCHOOL

GOWRIE STATE SCHOOL

ROS WACKERLING

MERV AND ALMA FOWLER

TOOWOOMBA TAFE COLLEGE Commercial Premises

oowoomba TAFE College at 100 Bridge St, Toowoomba, is the winner of the Commercial Premises category with gardener Matt Simmonds. The campus is located near the renowned Queens Park, where the Festival of Food and Wine takes place, and Cobb+Co Museum, making the gardens an idea place for students to relax or study outdoors.

A campus of TAFE Queensland, which has been serving communities for more than 139 years, the Toowoomba TAFE services students across the Darling Downs and South West region of Queensland.

Not For Profit

DOWNS STEAM

he winner for the Not For Profit category in 2022’s Garden Competition is Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum at 16 Cambooya St, Drayton. A popular destination for history buffs, train enthusiasts and families alike, Downs Steam has been operating since 2001. Restored engines are peppered through the award-winning gardens, which are wellmaintained and colourful.

In addition to the collection of locomotives and beautiful gardens, Downs Steam boasts a retail shop as well.

OUR LADY OF LOURDESSchool Student Garden

ur Lady of Lourdes -

Toowoomba encourages its students to get their hands

dirty and dig in the garden.

2022 marks five years of the school, at 2 Ascot St, Newtown, entering The Chronicle Garden Competition winning the student garden category.

Not only does it teach them about the life cycles of plants, it also gives them a sense of accomplishment in growing their one vegetables.

Jo Broderick says she loves seeing the children enjoy the fruits of their labour.

“I love our kids veggie gardens too, where the kids get to enjoy the flavours of their freshly grown foods,” she says.

“I love that our wonderful kids, with their little gardens, can be recognised for achieving greatness other than academic or sporting success.

“I would love for our special needs kids to get a win for their efforts in their little garden.

“These beautiful boys naturally struggle in the classroom, so to be able to reinforce to them that gardening is something that they can achieve by getting a win, would be enormous for them.”

The student garden teaches so many skills, from designing, digging, planting, mulching, fertilising, watering and weeding.

And it gives back so much with the students being out in the sun with the birds and bees,

everything!

It also provides excitement for the students when something flowers or fruits for the first time.

The school provides a beautiful environment for the staff, parents and students of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the local neighbours to enjoy.

Jo says sharing the beautiful gardens during Carnival of Flowers creates a real buzz around the school.

“I love seeing people admiring the efforts, but I think most of all, I love to see the birds and bees relishing in the plants that have been chosen,” she said.

“This brings me enormous pleasure.”

OUR LADY OF LOURDES School Premises

o Broderick from Our Lady of Lourdes school in Toowoomba says she was a winner long before the judge’s decision was handed down. Before the prize for School Ornamental Area was even announced, Jo says she was “living her dream” – the prize, while a great honour, was just the icing on an already sweet cake.

“I absolutely love plants and gardens, and I love The Chronicle Garden Competition,” says Jo. “I love that I can share our beautiful gardens with others, and that our wonderful kids and their little gardens can be recognised for achieving greatness, other than academic or sporting success.”

This is the fifth time Jo has entered The Chronicle Garden Competition competition – and it’s no coincidence that she’s been working at the school for five years. Sharing her passion for gardening is fulfilling and exciting for Jo – and it shows.

“I love designing, digging, planting, mulching, fertilising, watering, weeding, being in the sun with the birds and bees, everything!” she says. “I guess, however, I get most excited when something flowers or fruits for the first time. I love seeing people admiring my efforts but I think most of all I love to see the birds and bees relishing in the plants that I have chosen. This brings me enormous pleasure.”

The gardens in the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes school are flush with a diverse range of colours, varieties and species of plants, all designed and executed with Jo and the children.

“I personally have only been growing natives since I started at the school,” says Jo. “I

love the diversity and beauty of them, and am thrilled with how they continually flower and feed nature. However, we have a new woodland garden that went in last June, which I think will be very beautiful. I love our kids’ veggie gardens too, where the kids get to enjoy the flavours of their freshly grown foods.”

Winning the prize for her school means the world to Jo, proving to the children that gardening is something that’s accessible for all to see, enjoy and participate in. Jo says, “ I love being able to provide a beautiful environment for the wonderful staff, parents and students, and the local neighbours to enjoy.”

Rod Hultgren Memorial Award

TIFFANY WICKS

he prestigious Rod Hultgren

Memorial Award has been won by newcomer Tiffany Wicks of 6 Fairholme St, Mt Lofty.

Still deeply missed by the gardening community, Rod Hultgren was a long-time ABC gardening talkback expert with a deep love for the region who died in 2017.

Rod was a familiar voice to generations of Darling Downs gardeners and offered horticultural advice over the airwaves for more than 20 years.

Last year his wife of 57 year Maureen Hultgren, who was also a skilled and beloved gardener, also passed away peacefully at Tewantin on Sunday 8th August.

Judged this year by Penny McKinlay and Vicki Thompson, also of the ABC Southern Queensland, the award has been specially

created to encourage new gardeners. ABC judge Penny McKinlay particularly was impressed with the layout of Tiffany’s garden and choice of plants being used to create not just a wonderful garden for the future, but also a family friendly garden today.

“Tiffany has done a wonderful job so far and to juggle all this work with three little children is just such a credit to her,” Penny says.

“I really think that in future years this could be a contender for Grand Champion garden and while it’s still in its early stages it’s wonderful to see young people get involved in the competition, we need more like her to be part of the Chronicle Garden Competition.”

While thrilled by her win in such a meaningful category, Tiffany insists that she gardens for the pure love of nature.

“I am a Clinical Psychologist and a mother of three children under five. I find that gardening is good for my physical and emotional well-being and I love learning about new plants, and the challenge of trying new things in the garden. Above all, I just love the beauty of flowers!”

The award is a beautiful way to honour the inspiration and guidance Rod gave to new gardeners, and is a testament to Tiffany’s hard work.

“Prior to 2019, my garden did not exist - it was a dirt patch. I have spent the last three years working in my garden nearly every day. I felt that entering the competition would be a fun way to channel my passion and share

Investors and Developers –

Ian brings 26+ years’ experience of continuous working in Real Estate Sales, Property Development and Property Management, as a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Toowoomba.

Specialising in Sales of Multi-Unit Dwellings, Unit Complex’s, House&Land, Development sites plus Project Marketing for many long term clients and/or assisting Investor clients to build a long-term residual income through the planning, aquisition and execution of their property investments.

Ian has personally done land subdivision development, unit development, many renovations (Unit complex’s and houses) and had a child care centre approved through TR Council - and is very familiar with the Toowoomba Regional Council Town Plan – all to back up his claim to be Toowoomba’s only Specialist ‘Investment Property’ Agent.

Meet ABC Judge

PENNY MCKINLAY

enny could be called a national treasure, and rightly so. With regular appearances on 7News in Toowoomba and radio peices on the local ABC, all of the Toowoomba region knows her name.

Penny estimates she’s been gardening for about 70 years, and judging for roughly 30. She recalls the first Carnival of Flowers, and how “everybody was agog” at the gorgeous floral displays.

The ABC categories of the Garden Competition have been condensed over the years, so 2022 saw Penny and Vicki handing out the Rod Hultgren Encouragement Award.

Penny is enthusiastic about the competition and Carnival of Flowers, and has loved being

a part of it over the years - from both entering her nursery in the competition to judging.

“It’s the only flower carnival - to my knowledge - that’s been running for so long, and Toowoomba has the best climate for it, perfect for gardens,” she says.

“It’s a magnificent city and we don’t always recognise it because we get used to it.

“It is no time for any of us to rest on our laurels because it’s too good a thing to stop going.”

Well-known throughout Toowoomba - and now further affield thanks to TikTok - Penny Mckinlay has been in the gardening industry for roughly 70 years

TO OUR LOCAL PARKSYour Guide

As well as the private gardens throughout the region, Toowoomba’s parks bloom with bright colour and magnificent foliage through the month of September

isitors will love the magical appearance of the many gorgeous parks throughout Toowoomba and its surrounds. Be sure to drop in and appreciate the incredible displays created by our region’s dedicated gardeners.

BOYCE GARDENS

The sensational Boyce Gardens Estate offers visitors six incredible hectares of sprawling parkland, forest and garden space in Range St, Mount Lofty.

Starting from humble beginnings as a private garden for Leslie and Margaret Boyce (owners of the Toowoomba Foundry), the Boyces gave the estate to the University of Queensland in trust in May 1969.

The intention was to ‘hold the land in perpetuity’ as a Botanic Garden and natural forest for the education of the public. Now heritage-listed, the gardens offer visitors a relaxing, tranquil environment among more than 100 species of trees, shrubs and vines, with 25 different ferns also recorded and a 150-year-old strangler fig. The garden is open from 9am to 4pm daily.

LAUREL BANK PARK

As one of Toowoomba’s oldest and wellknown parks, Laurel Bank Park provides visitors a beautiful setting of lawns and gardens perfectly complemented by mature trees, barbecues and picnic areas.

With its ‘all-season’ topiary, scented gardens and maple and peach walks, the park explodes in spring offering an absorbing collection of vivid displays.

Parking is available in Herries and Hill streets and there is limited off-street parking via Hill St.

QUEENSLAND STATE ROSE GARDEN

So much more than just another ‘green space’ in the Garden City, Newtown Park is a living slice of history, covering a delightful 12 hectares with the popular rose garden featuring around 2000 rose varieties.

The gardens began with multiple plantings of Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses, dedicating special colours to individual beds and has literally grown to be one of the most impressive collections in the state.

With its grand pavilions and walkways, complemented by barbecue facilities and

children’s playgrounds, Newtown Park is a great venue to enjoy the wide-open spaces with family and friends.

It can by accessed via any of the bordering streets – Taylor, Holberton, Pottinger or Tor.

PEACEHAVEN BOTANICAL PARK

A popular gathering place for Highfields residents and visitors alike, Peacehaven Botanical Park is set on 4.7 hectares and is the ideal spot to catch the myriad of colours that come with the setting sun as you look out across the incredible vista of Gowrie Junction and Bunya Mountains.

Beautifully landscaped and offering three welcoming lawn areas surrounded by established gardens, the park is located off Kuhls Road.

PICNIC POINT

Perhaps Toowoomba’s most recognised and visited parkland, the Picnic Point area has been wowing visitors for more than a century.

Set high on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, the lookout area provides sweeping panoramic views across the Lockyer Valley

and, of course, iconic Table Top Mountain.

Whether you throw together a picnic hamper or enjoy a meal, coffee or iconic Violet ice-cream at the on-site café and restaurant, the area is a popular hangout. Another attraction sure to delight every member of the family is the beautiful waterfall gardens, or the more adventurous can tackle the escarpment walks or even the testing Table Top Mountain climbs. Picnic Point can be accessed via Tourist Drive.

QUEENS PARK

Sitting in the heart of the city and acknowledged as the very epicentre of Carnival celebrations.

Queens Park brings together our gardening

heritage and super-charges it with the Festival of Food and Wine.

Set across more than 25 picturesque hectares, Queens Park is also home to the city’s Botanic Gardens, an animated parkland draw-card that is abuzz with visitors during Carnival – and includes a ferris wheel so you can see across the gardens from above. As exciting as they are imaginative, as charming as they are colourful, the Botanic Gardens can be found on the corner of Lindsay and Campbell streets (across from Cobb and Co Museum).

SPRING BLUFF

All aboard! The railway station’s gardens have long been celebrated for their vibrant mix of petunias, snapdragons, poppies and

many more annuals combining to create a colourful canvas to welcome visitors. This year there will be the Tipsy High Tea held at the location and more.

DRAYTON AND TOOWOOMBA CEMETERY GARDENS

Toowoomba’s hidden gem, the 67 acres of land were gazetted in 1882 after the first registered burial in 1866, and handed over from the Trust to the then Toowoomba City Council in 1974.

The majestic old trees and carefully caredfor lawns are the beautiful backdrop to intriguing stories of Toowoomba’s early residents through various headstones, and there is a map of five self-guided trails available from the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre for those eager to explore.

Open daily from 6am to 6pm, in 2009 the cemetery was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

You’ll find it at the corner of Anzac Avenue and South Street.

16th-25th September 2022

Visit the Cottage Garden & Have some Billy Tea & Damper or stay longer & explore this wonderful Pioneer Village

Billy Tea & Damper- $7 ea - Entry to the Griinke Cottage Garden- $2 ea Free Entry to the Kiosk, Bird Feeding 11am and 3pm Daily Normal Entry fees apply to the Village: Adults- $15, Conc- $12, Child- $8, Fam- $40, Under 5 yrs FREE. Open 10am to 4pm Daily

Mini Steam Train Rides / Vintage Bus Tours, Bee Keeping & Shearing 18th, 21st, 25th September Rides- $5 Adult, $3 Child BillyTea&Damperavailableeveryday. RunentirelybyVolunteers!

16th to the 25th Sept. Cottage Garden, Butter Making, Whip Cracking, Fire Museum, Transport Museum, Ambulance Museum, Farmer’s Innovations Show, Tour of the Big Cow, Damper Making, Sausage Sizzle available every day.

Entertainment Fri. 16th of Sept- Pepper Jane Sun. 18th of SeptCactoblastis bucket making Wed. 21st, Sat 24th Sept- Voll Sisters Sun. 25th Sept- Cactoblastis Sat/ Sun 17th,18th, 24th 25th SeptAnimal Nursery 24th, 25th Sept- Milking the Cow at 10am

73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields, QLD 4352, Visit the Griinke Cottage Carnival Garden Entrant Non-Profit 1st to 30th September

(07) 4696 6309

highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com

Growing Edible Natives

IN OWN BACKYARD

Unless you have a pre-existing interest and have done research into edible Australian plants yourself, it can be difficult to know what’s what. Here’s a quick guide on some common indigenous flora

PIGFACE

This coastal succulent is so-named by the resemblence the purple-pink blooms apparently holds to a pig’s face. The beauty of this plant, however, is in the fruit - a deep pink when ripe, it tastes similar to a strawberry dipped in salt.

Alledgedly the leaves can also be roasted and used as a salt substitute, and the juice from the fresh leaves will sooth burns and bitesmuch like aloe vera.

DAVIDSON PLUM

While this tree can grow up to 20m in its natural habitat, in a garden it’s more likely to only get to 4-8m. It has a palm-like appearance with its crown of dense glossy green leaves, and deep blue fruit appears

after the late spring flowers. The bright red flesh of the fruit is intensely sour but is great for making jams, pickles, and other preserves.

GRASS TREE

Possibly the most well-known plant on this list, but did you know that elements of the grass tree are edible? Some Aboriginal tribes would consume the nectar and the heart of the flower steam, as well as the soft bases of young leaves. The sap was also used as a glue, and the tough leaves used as knives.

CHERRY BALLART

Belonging to the sandalwood family, the native cherry resembles a cypress to the untrained eye. It can grow 3-8m and is often

triangular in shape. The tree flowers spring to autumn and produces a juicy red stalk above the nut that is edible. The sap can also be used to treat bites.

KANGAROO GRASS

While possibly not the most attractive plant for a garden, it can be good for gap filling and ground cover in the right environment or aethetic. In the NSW tableland and high country, Aboriginal people would gather the ripened seeds in summer and grind them to use as flour for damper and cakes.

NATIVE RASPBERRY

A member of the rose family, the native raspberry produces globular bright red fruit that is ready to consume from June to October. The plant can be kept to a large pot or grown on a trellis in the garden.

NATIVE VIOLET

You’ve probably seen these around in parks and wildlands without even realising. The plant can handle some foot traffic, so they’re perfect for ground cover in a shady garden. Looking like a miniature violet, these purple and white flowers are actually edible. Use the blooms and leaves in salads or as garnishes for your next dessert.

LESSONS FROM A WINNERA Year On:

Last year’s champions look back on the year that was and recommendations for those interested in entering The Chronicle Garden Competition in the future

erge and Leisa Rossignol of 112 Neil St were the City Grand Champions for last year’s The Chronicle Garden Competition, alongside Paul and Noela Rubb as the Regional Grand Champions.

Paul and Noela are having a well-deserved holiday this year and traveling - The Chronicle wishes them a relaxing and enjoyable time! - so we caught up with Leisa Rossignol to see what she’s experienced a year on from the big win.

“We were absolutely thrilled and honoured to recieve that prize last year,” Leisa says. “I’ve always loved the Carnival of Flowers since childhood, and I had a [competition]

garden in a previous life so it was lovely to enter with this property.”

For Leisa, entering into The Chronicle Garden Competition is a way to be an ambassador for our wonderful city and region.

“It’s about the home gardens to me - that’s what Carnival was built on.”

When it comes to the practical side of gardening a year on, it has been such a different year that it’s hardly comparable.

“I’ve been gardening for nearly 35 years now and not much I knew was relevant, because it was such a different year,” Leisa says.

“All the prep I’d normally do I couldn’t, because it was so wet. I planted differently;

my ranunculus drowned in the mud I think.

“I’ve hardly had to water my plants this year!”

The mushroom compost and sugar mulch that Leisa would have usually used in the garden simply turned into mud because of all the rain, so she did research into alternatives and came up with pellets that could be sprinkled on the surface.

“You don’t have any control over it; you just have to roll with it.”

Regardless of the challenges this past year has presented, Leisa’s enthusiasm has not waned.

“It’s a lovely experience, it’s lovely to talk to people from different backgrounds.

“This year will be lovely because the NSW people will be able to come back as well.” She also has a word of advice for those looking to enter the competition in the future.

“It’s just the preparation of your soil, knowing how to prepare in different climates, looking after your garden and soil health, knowing to look after the plants and when to plant your seedlings.”

“I think it’s a lovely thing to do, and to encourage new gardeners to be a part. Home gardeners generally love to share any kind of hints or tips with their visitors - if anyone takes home some kind of knowledge or tip, we’re happy.

“It’s lovely to share that with people and be part of what made Carnival what it is today.”

VOUCHER SPECIAL OFFER

Present this voucher at the IGA, Hooper Centre and receive a 10% discount when you spend $30 or more*.

* This offer is available from 6am Friday 16 September to 8pm Sunday 18 September 2022. The discount does not apply to tobacco and e-pay products.

IGA OPEN 7 DAYS 6am to 8pm http://www.hoopercentre.com.au facebook.com/HooperCentreShoppingVillage/

What To Do WHILE IN TOOWOOMBA

Need a rest from perusing the gorgeous gardens? The Garden City offers plenty of other pastimes while you’re here

ST LUKE’S FLOWER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

When: 9am to 4pm daily from Friday, September 16, to Wednesday, September 22

Where: St Luke’s Anglican Church, 152 Herries St, Toowoomba

What: Showcasing ‘muscials’ themed floral displays and featuring music concerts daily, visit St Luke’s for craft stalls, refreshments and a plant stall as well.

PETALS AND HIGH TEA

When: 11am and 2.30pm, Sunday, September 18 to Friday, September 23

Where: Royal Bull’s Head Inn, 59 Brisbane St, Drayton

What: Explore a nineteenth-century inn built by an ex-convict and enjoy a special floralthemed High Tea to celebrate the Carnival of Flowers. Children will have the chance to make their own petal crowns as part of their entry into the Inn. Visiting the Royal Bull’s Head Inn is like entering a doorway into the early days of settlement on the Darling Downs. Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the rambling garden surrounding the Inn.

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS

When: 9am to 4.30pm, Friday, September 16, to Sunday, September 18

Where: TAFE Horticultural Pavilion, 100 Bridge St, Toowoomba

What: Get your questions answered by the experts from Native Plants Queensland, Toowoomba Region, and find your next native plant purchase with both tube stock and pots available.

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL FLORAL DISPLAY

When: 9am to 5pm, Friday, September 16, to Wednesday, September 21

Where: St Patrick’s Cathedral, cnr James and Neil Sts, Toowoomba

What: Each year St Patrick’s Cathedral provides a floral display as part of the citywide celebration. The floral display comes together with the support of many generous and creative helpers.

TOOWOOMBA BROMELIAD & SUCCULENT SOCIETY INC ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE

When: 8am to 4pm, Saturday, September

17 and Sunday, September 18; 8am to 2pm, Monday, September 19

Where: Sacred Heart Primary School Hall, cnr North and Tor sts, Toowoomba

What: Discover hundreds of bromeliads, cacti, succulents and foliage, and get advice on growing bromeliads. There will also be cultivation demonstations daily at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

NATIVE ORCHID SOCIETY OF TOOWOOMBA SPRING SHOW

When: 9am to 5pm, Friday, September 16, to Sunday, September 18; 9am to 3pm, Monday, September 19

Where: St John’s Lutheran Church Hall, 431 Bridge St

What: A delightful display of Australian native orchids, exotic orchids, bromeliads, ferns and other foliage plants. Plants will be available for sale, as well as arts and crafts.

TOOWOOMBA CLIVIA SOCIETY INC ANNUAL SHOW

When: 9am to 5pm, Friday, September 16, to Monday, September 19

Where: TAFE Horticultural Pavilion, 100 Bridge St, Toowoomba

What: The 17th annual show will exhibit clivias in a variety of colours and types for sale and in display, as well as having experts on hand to answer any questions you may have.

TOOWOOMBA’S FINEST CRAFT SHOW

When: 9am to 5pm, Saturday, September 17, to Monday, September 19

Where: Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Rd, Glenvale

What: Toowoomba’s Finest Show is a delightful mix of art and flowers, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. It showcases the very best regional artisans and their wares. It is an indoor market, open all weather with free parking. There will be daily craft exhibitions of ‘Flaunt the Flower’ and fashion parades.

TOOWOOMBA ORCHID SOCIETY SPRING SHOW

When: 8.30am to 4pm, Friday, September 16, to Sunday, September 18; Monday, September 19, 8.30am to 3pm

Where: St Paul’s Church Hall, cnr James and

Phillips sts, Toowoomba

What: Orchid enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Get inspiration wandering among the orchids, or buy your own plants, pots and accessories.

TOOWOOMBA GERANIUM SOCIETY

When: 8.30am to 3pm, Saturday, September 17, and 8.30am to 2pm, Sunda, September 18

Where: Masonic Hall, 58 Neil St, Toowoomba

What: Join the Geranium Society for a blooming great show and sale. Members will be on hand to share their knowledge on the amazing variety of geraniums. There will also be a huge variety of geraniums for sale.

TOOWOOMBA BONSAI GROUP ANNUAL SHOW

When: 9am to 4pm, Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18

Where: The Rose Cottage at Newtown Park, cnr Holberton and Pottinger sts, Toowoomba What: Relish this showcase of many styles and species of bonsai, presented by the members of the Toowoomba Bonsai Group.

TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC

When: 8am to 11.30am, Saturday, September 24

Where: Picnic Point, Tourist Rd, Rangeville What: Picnic Point is the perfect place for the first Teddy Bears’ Picnic! There will be interactive games, colouring-in and roving kids entertainment and food stalls. Tambo Teddy families can be part of the ‘roll-call’ and all teddies are invited to be in the fashion parade, with registrations on the day.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE GROVE

When: From 5pm, Friday, September 23, and Saturday, September 24

Where: Jacaranda Grove, Toowoomba Grammar School, 24 Margaret St

What: Toowoomba Grammar School are presenting an outdoor Shakespearean festival performed by the auditioned members of the Toowoomba Grammar Acting Academy. This year’s performance of Macbeth will integrate multimedia projection in the trees which form the backdrop to the performance. The audience are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner or pre-purchase a dinner package and enjoy the show.

Mike Wells On...

CULTIVATING RESILIENCE

n my second official year of having the honour of being in the Chronicle Garden Competition Liaison role, I was fortunate to be able to drive this year’s Residential premises judge, George Hoad, around to each entrant’s garden.

Judging was conducted over four days, and I was in awe of George’s knowledge of gardens, and his incredible rapport with each and every gardener we visited.

During George’s discussions with our entrants, it was obvious that nearly all entrants faced challenging conditions before and during the five to six month ‘silly season’ that is the lead up to judging and opening of gardens in September.

High on the list of these challenges was the last two years of extreme rainfall events, coming directly after a hot, dry lead up which also presented its own set of difficulties for plant growing.

Compounding the wet conditions, this year’s winter has been one of the coldest encountered by most of our entrants too, with sometimes consecutive days of frosts damaging or hindering growth of annuals, perennials, shrubs and even trees.

Through these tough and challenging times, these gardeners simply continued to ‘roll with the punches’ with a never-say-die attitude, producing some of the highest quality displays that I’ve seen in many years of visiting our region’s competition gardens. The incredible results these gardeners have achieved is, in my opinion, testament to how gardening helps to build resilience in people of all ages.

This resilience was most obvious in our many entrants who were in their ‘senior’ years, with a contingent of gardeners well into their 80s and 90s (may be a record this year, a 98 year-old entrant!)

Their ability to get outside in challenging conditions, performing physical gardening tasks and producing stunning results was, to me, a reminder of how gardening also keeps us healthy in body and mind.

Our Schools judge, Rusell Campbell, was astounded by the enthusiasm and knowledge amongst the young students who showed him through their gardens. Imagine the depth of resilience and health of body and mind these children will have throughout their lives if they continue their passion for gardening.

Happy 73rd year to The Chronicle Garden Competition! May there be many more!

PICTURED:

ABOVE: One of the resilient gardeners in this year’s competition is Les Stephson, who is in his 90s, along with wife Fae.

TOP LEFT: Garden Liaison Mike Wells

Challenging growing conditions over the last couple of years has done little to dampen our Chronicle Garden Competition gardeners’ passion for this wonderful pastime

Discovering How To

Young gardener Bethany Roberts went on a summer of discovery with her family, learning how to grow beans from scratch for a much-loved dish. Here, she shares how it all went GROW BORLOTTI BEANS

o you have a meal in your house that everyone loves?

In our house we have several, but one muchloved meal is baked beans. It’s a dish Mum discovered a while ago made with a variety of bean called borlotti. Borlotti are red and white beans that are really pretty until they get cooked. Then they turn brown.

We recently discovered we can grow borlotti beans at home after a summer of experimenting with it. If you are interested in trying this yourself, here’s what we did.

We purchased a packet of seeds and planted them in a bed we had prepared by digging over the ground and adding compost and then setting up a trellis for the plants to grow up. We tend to water morning and evening if the weather is dry.

Once the seeds came up it was just a matter of weeding, watering and putting frost cloth over them on the clear nights.

As the plants grew taller, we tied them with string to the trellis and fertilised (when we remembered). After that it was just a matter of letting them grow.

With baked beans the beans are dried, so we left the plants to die and the pods to dry

out. Then we harvested all the dry pods that were good. Drying pods do go moldy if you live in a climate where it rains often - we’ve discovered you can pick the pods before they’re completely dead and dry them by the fireplace.

Once we had all the dry pods, we had to shell them. That’s simply a matter of splitting their shells down their spine and then scraping the beans out with your thumb. I love shelling.

It’s one of the best jobs of summer.

Then you just put all your beans in a container of some kind and they’re ready to use.

Happy growing!

FOR DIFFERENT NEEDSYour Guide To Gardens

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

• Preston Manor and Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Rd, Preston

• Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highway, Crows Nest

• Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum, 16 Cambooya St, Drayton

• City Golf Club, South and Ruthven Sts, Toowoomba

• The Mulberry Project, Toowoomba Showgrounds

• Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Rd, Toowoomba

• Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 ridge St, Wilsonton

• Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Ave, Newtown

• Merv Buckley, 14 Sprott St, Wilsonton

• Serge and Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil St, South Toowoomba

• Ruby Brunner, 38A Crown St, Rangeville

• Jan Hancock, 153 Spring St, Middle Ridge

• Richard and Anne-Maree Lindeman, 7 Delvue Cres, Highfields

• Sheryl Lothian, Rosebud Gardens, 2 Oak St, Highfields

• Iris Ross, 21 Littleton Dr, Highfields

• Brendon and Brenda Stewart, 24 Kellett Dr, Westbrook

• Merv and Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden St, Pittsworth

• Kellie and Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest

• Val Hohn, 18 Short St, Pittsworth

• Wayne and Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Crt, Oakey

• Neville and Heather McNalty, 8678 New England Highway, Hampton

• Shirley Mundt, 101 WellcampWestbrook Rd, Wellcamp

• Ros Wackerling, 347 WellcampWestbrook Rd, Westbrook

• Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Rd, Peachey Crows Nest

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

• Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Rd, Peachey Crows Nest

• Shirley Mundt, 101 WellcampWestbrook Rd, Wellcamp

• David and Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford St, Pittsworth

• Kellie and Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest

• Brendon and Brenda Stewart, 24 KellettDr, Westbrook

• Iris Ross, 21 Littleton Dr, Highfields

• Sheldine and Simon Underwood, 81 Nelson St, Middle Ridge

• Bob and Val Ford, 19 Burke St, Rangeville

• Ruby Brunner, 38A Crown St, Rangeville

• Les and Fae Stephson, 161 Perth St, Toowoomba

• Tiffany Wicks, 6 Fairholme St, Mt Lofty

• Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Ave, Newtown

• Daniel Norton, 1/3 Wildcard Dr, Glenvale

• Harold Wagner, 4 Clarice St, Harristown

• Our Lady of Lourdes School, 2 Ascot St, Toowoomba

• Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Rd, Toowoomba

• City Golf Club, South and Ruthven Sts, Toowoomba

• Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum, 16 Cambooya St, Drayton

• Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highway, Crows Nest

• Preston Manor and Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Rd, Preston

DRIVE-BY APPROPRIATE

• Preston Manor and Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Rd, Preston

• Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highway, Crows Nest

• City Golf Club, South and Ruthven Sts, Toowoomba

• The Mulberry Project, Toowoomba Showgrounds

• Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Rd, Toowoomba

• Harold Wagner, 4 Clarice St, Harristown

• Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Ave, Newtown

• Merv Buckley, 14 Sprott St, Wilsonton

• Cheryl Ganzer, 21 Talinga St, Mt Lofty

• Tiffany Wicks, 6 Fairholme St, Mt Lofty

• Les and Fae Stephson, 161 Perth St,

Toowoomba

• Ruby Brunner, 38A Crown St, Rangeville

• Bob and Val Ford, 19 Burke St, Rangeville

• Sheldine and Simon Underwood, 81 Nelson St, Middle Ridge

• Lynn and Robyn Vandersee, 252 Greenwattle St, Toowoomba

• Chris and Steve Feldman, 7 Cedarwood Dr, Crows Nest

• Kellie and Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest

• David and Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford St, Pittsworth

• Val Hohn, 18 Short St, Pittsworth

• Wayne and Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Crt, Oakey

• Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Rd, Peachey Crows Nest

LEASHED DOGS WELCOME

• Shirley Mundt, 101 WellcampWestbrook Rd, Wellcamp

• Wayne and Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Crt, Oakey

• Kellie and Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Crt, Crows Nest

• Merv and Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden St, Pittsworth

• Brendon and Brenda Stewart, 24 Kellett Dr, Westbrook

• Jan Hancock, 153 Spring St, Middle Ridge

• Sheldine and Simon Underwood, 81 Nelson St, Middle Ridge

• Serge and Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil St, South Toowoomba

• Merv Buckley, 14 Sprott St, Wilsonton

• Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Ave, Newtown

• The Mulberry Project, Toowoomba Showgrounds

• Highfields Pioneer Village, 73 Wirraglen Rd, Highfields

• Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highwa, Crows Nest

• Preston Manor and Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Rd, Preston

TOILET ON-SITE

• Preston Manor and Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Rd, Preston

• Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highwa, Crows Nest

• Blue Haze, 702 Anduramba Rd, Crows Nest

• Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum, 16 Cambooya St, Drayton

• City Golf Club, South and Ruthven Sts, Toowoomba

• Highfields Pioneer Village, 73 Wirraglen Rd, Highfields

• The Mulberry Project, Toowoomba Showgrounds

• Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Rd, Toowoomba

• Harold Wagner, 4 Clarice St, Harristown

• Daniel Norton, 1/3 Wildcard Dr, Glenvale

• Merv Buckley, 14 Sprott St, Wilsonton

• Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Rd, Peachey Crows Nest

16th-25th September 2022

Visit the Cottage Garden & Have some Billy Tea & Damper or stay longer & explore this wonderful Pioneer Village

Billy Tea & Damper- $7 ea - Entry to the Griinke Cottage Garden- $2 ea Free Entry to the Kiosk, Bird Feeding 11am and 3pm Daily Normal Entry fees apply to the Village: Adults- $15, Conc- $12, Child- $8, Fam- $40, Under 5 yrs FREE. Open 10am to 4pm Daily

16th to the 25th Sept. Cottage Garden, Butter Making, Whip Cracking, Fire Museum, Transport Museum, Ambulance Museum, Farmer’s Innovations Show, Tour of the Big Cow, Damper Making, Sausage Sizzle available every day.

Entertainment Fri. 16th of Sept- Pepper Jane Sun. 18th of SeptCactoblastis bucket making Wed. 21st, Sat 24th Sept- Voll Sisters Sun. 25th Sept- Cactoblastis Sat/ Sun 17th,18th, 24th 25th SeptAnimal Nursery 24th, 25th Sept- Milking the Cow at 10am

73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields, QLD 4352, Visit the Griinke Cottage Carnival Garden Entrant Non-Profit 1st to 30th September

Mini Steam Train Rides / Vintage Bus Tours, Bee Keeping & Shearing 18th, 21st, 25th September Rides- $5 Adult, $3 Child BillyTea&Damperavailableeveryday. RunentirelybyVolunteers! (07) 4696 6309

highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com highfieldspioneervillage@hotmail.com

RICHARD AND ANNE-MAREE LINDEMANN

JAN HANCOCK

SHEL AND SIMON UNDERWOOD

KATHRYN JOWETT

LYNN AND ROBYN VANDERSEE

TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB

HAROLD WAGNER

BRENDAN AND BRENDA STEWART

TAFE

GRAHAM DAVIS

CITY GOLF CLUB - DRIVING RANGE

ELLIE JOHSON AND MARIA

KEN BARCLAY

SHERYL

CHERYL

DANIEL NORTON

PRESTON

RUBY BRUNNER

WAYNE AND NARELLE SCHICK

JAMES RITCHIE

SHIRLEY CRONK

GLENVALE VILLAS

ELLEN STEVENS

SERGE AND LEISA

ROSSINGNOL

KUSHLA

CITY GOLF CLUB - CLUBHOUSE

LES AND FAE STEPHSON

MICHAEL GLENNON

HIGHFIELDS PIONEER VILLAGE

CHRIS AND STEVE FELDMAN

ENTRANTS:

City Commercial Gardens

Glenvale Villas, 182-184 Hursley Road, Toowoomba Nth D12 Toowoomba TAFE College, 100 Bridge Street, Toowoomba Nth P10

City Not-For-Profit Gardens

Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum, 16 Cambooya Street, Drayton E10

City Golf Club - Clubhouse, South Street, Toowoomba........Sth L5

City Golf Club - Motel, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba Sth M7

City Golf Club - Driving Range, South Street, Toowoomba ..Sth L5

Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum & Park Inc 73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields HG L4

The Mulberry Project, Toowoomba Showgrounds, Junction of Harvey & Glenvale Roads Nth B8 Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Road, Toowoomba Nth G12

Regional Commercial Gardens

McKinlays Nursery, Mallard Road, Pittsworth PW D13 McKinlays Nursery, 5 Briggs Street, Pittsworth PW G14

Preston Manor & Village Chapel, 330 Preston Boundary Road, Preston RG L10

Crows Nest Tourist Park, 7558 New England Highway, Crows Nest CN H15

Crystal Stark “Blue Haze”, 702 Anduramba Road, Crows Nest N2

School Gardens

Our Lady of Lourdes School, 2 Ascot Street, Toowoomba Nth I11

Cambooya State School, Harron Street, Cambooya ..........RG J11

Darling Downs Christian School, 451 McDougall Street, Toowoomba Nth B15 Gowrie State School, Old Homebush Road, Gowrie Junction RG J8 Geham State School, 9625 New England Highway, Geham RG L6

City Gardens

Harold Arthur Wagner, 4 Clarice Street, Harristown Sth H9 Daniel W Norton, 1/3 Wildcard Drive, Glenvale Nth B12

Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 Bridge Street, Wilsonton Nth E6

Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Avenue, Newtown Nth J7

Sandra Norris, 9/233 MacKenzie Street, Centenary Heights Sth R7

Kenneth FJ Barclay-Timmis, 243 MacKenzie Street, Centenary Heights Sth R8

Mr Graham Davis, 2/15 Truscott Street, Wilsonton ...........Nth D5

Michael Glennon, 5 Ross Street, Mt Lofty Nth Q5 Ellie Johson and Maria, Room 43 and Room 44, Infin8Care Aged Care, 69 Stuart Street, Harlaxton Nth P6

James Josh Ritchie, 1/31 John Street, East Toowoomba Nth Q16

Merv Buckley, 14 Sprott Street, Wilsonton .......................Nth G5 Ellen Stevens, 19 Talinga Street, Mt Lofty Nth Q4

Cheryl Ganzer, 21 Talinga Street, Mt Lofty Nth Q4

Tiffany Wicks, 6 Fairholme Street, Mt Lofty Nth T10

Geoffrey Sams, 201 North Street, Toowoomba Nth I5

Serge & Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil Street, South Toowoomba Sth N3

Moya Mohr, 1 Paterson Street, South Toowoomba Sth M4

Leslie Edward & Margaret Fae Stephson, 161 Perth Street, Toowoomba Sth O3

Ruby May Brunner, 38A Crown Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Sheldine & Simon Underwood, 81 Nelson Street, Middle Ridge Sth N17

Jan Hancock, 153 Spring Street, Middle Ridge ................Sth P13

Ian & Maria Weatherby, 3 Christopher Court, Toowoomba . Sth G2

Lynn & Robyn Vandersee, 252 Greenwattle Street, Toowoomba Nth F1

Richard & Anne-Maree Lindeman, 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields HF F8

Sheryl Lothian, Rosebud Gardens, 2 Oak Street, Highfields HF M7

Iris Ross, 21 Littleton Drive, Highfields HF L7

Brendon & Brenda Stewart, 24 Kellett Drive, Westbrook Sth B17

Regional Gardens

David & Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford Street, Pittsworth PW J16

Valerie Maud Hohn, 18 Short Street, Pittsworth PW I9

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Neville & Heather McNalty, 8678 New England Highway, Hampton RG M6

Shirley Mundt, 101 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Wellcamp .. RG J9

Ross & Ros Wackerling, 347 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Westbrook RG J9

Shirley Grace Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey, Crow’s Nest RG M5

WINNERS:

City Gardens

City Grand Champion

(winners continued over page)

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

City Reserve Grand Champion

Richard & Anne-Maree Lindeman, 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields HF F8

City Small Garden First Prize

Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 Bridge Street, Wilsonton Nth E6

City Small Garden Second Prize

Sandra Norris, 9/233 McKenzie Street, Centenary Heights Sth R7

City Small Garden Third Prize Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Avenue, Newtown Nth J7

City Medium Garden First Prize

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

City Medium Garden Second Prize

Leslie Edward & Margaret Fae Stephson, 161 Perth Street, Toowoomba Sth O3

City Medium Garden Third Prize

Ian & Maria Weatherby, 3 Christopher Court, Toowoomba Sth G2

City Large Garden First Prize

Richard & Anne-Maree Lindeman, 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields HF F8

City Large Garden Second Prize

Sheryl Lothian, Rosebud Gardens, 2 Oak Street, Highfields HF M7

City Large Garden Third Prize

Brendon & Brenda Stewart, 24 Kellett Drive, Westbrook Sth B17

Front Garden First Prize

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Front Garden Second Prize

Cheryl Ganzer, 21 Talinga Street, Mt Lofty Nth Q4

Front Garden Third Prize

Jan Hancock, 153 Spring Street, Middle Ridge P13

Back Garden First Prize

Serge & Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil Street, South Toowoomba Sth N3

Back Garden Second Prize

Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 Bridge Street, Wilsonton Nth E6

Back Garden Third Prize

Geoffrey Sams, 201 North Street, Toowoomba Nth I5

Encouragement Awards

Tiffany Wicks, 6 Fairholme Street, Mt Lofty Nth T10

Daniel W Norton, 1/3 Wildcard Drive, Glenvale Nth B12

Small Space First Prize

Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 Bridge Street, Wilsonton Nth E6

Small Space Second Prize

Serge & Leisa Rossignol, 112 Neil Street, South Toowoomba Sth N3

Small Space Third Prize

Sandra Norris, 9/233 McKenzie Street, Centenary Heights Sth R7

Sustainable Garden First Prize

Ruby May Brunner, 38A Crown Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Sustainable Garden Second Prize

Richard & Anne-Maree Lindeman, 7 Delvue Crescent, Highfields HF F8

Sustainable Garden Third Prize

Moya Mohr, 1 Paterson Street, South Toowoomba Sth M4

WINNERS:

Productive Area Second Prize

Sheryl Lothian, Rosebud Gardens, 2 Oak Street, Highfields HF M7

Productive Area Third Prize

Kushla Gale, 37 Gordon Avenue, Newtown Nth J7

Footpath Garden First Prize

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Footpath Garden Second Prize

Lynn & Robyn Vandersee, 252 Greenwattle Street, Toowoomba Nth F1

Footpath Garden Third Prize

Jan Hancock, 153 Spring Street, Middle Ridge P13

First Time Entry Garden First Prize

Kathryn Jowett, 4/459 Bridge Street, Wilsonton Nth E6

First Time Entry Garden Second Prize

Ellie Johson & Maria, Room 43 & Room 44, Infin8Care Aged Care, 69 Stuart Street, Harlaxton Nth P6

First Time Entry Garden Third Prize

Moya Mohr, 1 Paterson Street, South Toowoomba Sth M4

Over 70’s Garden First Prize

Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street, Rangeville Sth S4

Over 70’s Garden Second Prize

Leslie Edward & Margaret Fae Stephson, 161 Perth Street, Toowoomba Sth O3

Over 70’s Garden Third Prize

Lynn & Robyn Vandersee, 252 Greenwattle Street, Toowoomba Nth F

Under 45’s Garden First Prize Tiffany Wicks, 6 Fairholme Street, Mt Lofty Nth T10

Regional Gardens

Regional Garden Grand Champion

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Regional Garden Reserve Grand Champion

Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey, Crow’s Nest RG L5

Regional Small / Medium First Prize David & Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford Street, Pittsworth PW J16

Regional Small / Medium Second Prize Kellie & Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Court, Crows Nest .......CN J14

Regional Small / Medium Third Prize

Valerie Maud Hohn, 18 Short Street, Pittsworth PW I9

Regional Large First Prize

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Regional Large Second Prize Mervyn & Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden Street, Pittsworth PW D12

Regional Large Third Prize Neville & Heather McNalty, 8678 New England Highway, Hampton RG M6

Rural Residential First Prize Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey Crow’s Nest ....... RG L5

Rural Residential Second Prize Shirley Mundt, 101 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Wellcamp .. RG J9

Rural Residential Third Prize

Ross & Ros Wackerling, 347 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Westbrook RG J9

Front Garden First Prize Kellie & Mark Gersekowski, 15 Lee Court, Crows Nest .......CN J14

Front Garden Second Prize Valerie Maud Hohn, 18 Short Street, Pittsworth ................ PW I9

Front Garden Third Prize Chris & Steve Feldman, 7 Cedarwood Drive, Crows Nest .................................... CN L17

Back Garden First Prize

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Back Garden Second Prize

Shirley Mundt, 101 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Wellcamp .. RG J9

Back Garden Third Prize

David & Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford Street, Pittsworth PW J16

Small Space Garden First Prize

Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey Crow’s Nest RG L5

Small Space Garden Second Prize

Mervyn & Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden Street, Pittsworth PW D12

Small Space Garden Third Prize

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Sustainable Garden First Prize

Wayne & Narelle Schick, 4 Booth Court, Oakey RG H7

Sustainable Garden Second Prize Neville & Heather McNalty, 8678 New England Highway, Hampton RG M6

Productive Garden First Prize

Mervyn & Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden Street, Pittsworth PW D12

Productive Garden Second Prize

David & Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford Street, Pittsworth PW J16

Productive Garden Third Prize

Ross & Ros Wackerling, 347 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Westbrook RG J9

Footpath Garden First Prize

Valerie Maud Hohn, 18 Short Street, Pittsworth PW I9

First Time Entry Garden First Prize

Chris & Steve Feldman, 7 Cedarwood Drive, Crows Nest ....... CN L17

Over 70’s Garden First Prize Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey Crow’s Nest ....... RG L5

Over 70’s Garden Second Prize

David & Gay Kearey, 15 Beresford Street, Pittsworth PW J16

Over 70’s Garden Third Prize

Mervyn & Alma Fowler, 7 Bowden Street, Pittsworth PW D12

Under 45’s Garden First Prize

Kellie & Mark Gersekowski, 14 Lee Court, Crows Nest .......CN J14

Acreage Garden First Prize

Shirley Cronk, 123 McLean Road, Pechey Crow’s Nest RG L5

Acreage Garden Second Prize

Shirley Mundt, 101 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Wellcamp RG J9

Acreage Garden Third Prize

Ross & Ros Wackerling, 347 Wellcamp-Westbrook Road, Westbrook RG J9

Commercial Gardens

First Prize

Toowoomba TAFE College, 100 Bridge Street, Toowoomba .. Nth P10

Second Prize

McKinlays Nursery, Mallard Road, Pittsworth PW D13

Third Prize

Toowoomba Turf Club, Hursley Road, Toowoomba Nth G12

Not-For-Profit Gardens

First Prize

Downs Steam Historical Rail Museum, 16 Cambooya Street, Drayton E10

Second Prize

Highfields Pioneer Village, Museum & Park Inc 73 Wirraglen Road, Highfields HG L4

Third Prize

City Golf Club - Clubhouse, South Street, Toowoomba........Sth L5

School Students Gardens

First Prize

Our Lady of Lourdes School, 2 Ascot Street, Toowoomba Nth I11

Second Prize

Darling Downs Christian School, 451 McDougall Street, Toowoomba Nth B15

Third Prize

Geham State School, 9625 New England Highway, Geham ... RG L6

School Premises Gardens

First Prize

Our Lady of Lourdes School,

Lake locate all the gardens you want to