Waverley Council Garden Awards 2018

17 November 2018 | Media Release

17 November, 2018

Congratulations to the winners of the Waverley Council Garden Awards 2018

Winners of the Waverley Council Garden Awards were announced this morning at a presentation held at historic Bronte House.

The awards celebrate all different types of gardens and gardeners, and date back to 1886 when the first Flower Fair was held in Waverley Park.

Waverley Mayor, John Wakefield, said there was a diverse range of entries from balcony gardens to edible gardens and everything in between.

“It’s never an easy task for the judges when the calibre of nominees is so high,” Mayor Wakefield said.

“These gardens all have environmental, social and health benefits, and help beautify our local area.”

Gardening expert and radio presenter, Judy Horton OAM, was the guest presenter.

In 2009, Judy was awarded a Hall of Fame Gold Laurel by the Horticultural Media Association of Australia for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of gardening.

The judging panel included Sue Stevens, Carl Nugent, Priscilla Felice, Bronte House resident, Anna van der Gardner and Councillor Leon Goltsman.

The awards were sponsored by Urban Growers, Pepo Botanical Design, Grow Space, Honeysuckle Nursery, Dulux, Mitre 10, Three Blue Ducks, Yates, Garden Clinic and Bunnings.

Awards included:

My Beautiful Garden

An award for home gardeners, garden designers and landscapers – whatever style of garden, this award is for garden lovers at large. Formal or informal the overall effect is WOW.

Winner: Susan ‘Poppy’ MacDonald

Runner-up: Anne Gotsis

Finalist: Elizabeth Dickson

Commendation: Amanda Davies

Innovative Gardens

You and your garden are doing something different! Your garden might have created native habitat or have a great fruit and veggie patch. Or you are gardening in a challenging space, including terraces, indoor, balcony and vertical gardens.

Winner: James Midleton

Commendation: Tamarah Tossey and Jennifer Crone

Special street gardens

Celebrating gardens located in public and/or shared spaces, including quality individual street side gardens, community gardens, business and collaborative style gardens.

Winner: 8 Francis Street, Bondi

Runner-up: Harris Family garden

Commendation: Beth Pickworth.

Special Shared Gardens

Celebrating gardens located in public and/or shared spaces, including quality individual street side gardens, community gardens, business and collaborative style gardens.

Winner: Waverley Community Garden

Runner up: Bronte Laneway garden

Commendation: Hewlett Street Communal Garden.

Dirt Kids

Recognising that kids can be great gardeners, too! Open to individuals and groups (under 18 years), including any type of garden within childcare centres, preschool and all local primary and high schools.

Winner: Bondi Public School

Runner up: Rose Bay Secondary College

Finalist: Dover Heights Preschool

Commendation: Bronte Public School.

2018 Mayor’s Awards categories:

Living Connections Award

Our Living Connections program is making it easier for you to create gardens that support our small birds. Council is working closely with residents (in Bronte and Tamarama) to provide garden advice and free plants, creating a greener more vibrant area for us all to enjoy. This NSW Government Environmental Trust funded project aims to connect our fragmented urban habitat by using your gardens to support our wildlife. Grab a flyer for more information. This award is for a garden that demonstrates outstanding commitment to biodiversity.

Winner: James Middleton

Second Nature Award

For a garden that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to sustainability within their gardens.

Winner: Bronte Public School

Caring Community Award (x 2)

Winners: Charingfield Aged Care Hostel and Rose Bay Secondary College.