The gardening skills of public housing tenants have been honoured today in a special awards ceremony for Victoria’s most outstanding public and community housing gardens.
Minister for Housing Richard Wynne joined Director and Chief Executive of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens Professor Tim Entwistle to announce the winners of the 2018-19 Victoria In Bloom awards.
Launched in 2004, the awards recognise and reward the outstanding work of public and community housing tenants who create decorative, productive and environmentally-friendly gardens around their homes and communities.
More than 200 entries were received from across Victoria. The judges paid tribute to the creativity on show, and the time and energy spent by tenants to create vibrant, productive and beautiful outdoor spaces.
Mr Wynne presented awards to the state-wide winners of the 2018-19 competition, who include:
- Best Balcony or Container Garden – Peter Fernando (North Melbourne)
- Best Small Enclosed Garden – Peter Harrison (North Melbourne)
- Best Household Garden – Debra Hanson (Mildura)
- Best Edible Garden – Barry and Janice Sharp (Traralgon)
- Best Sustainable Garden – Daniel Budge-Welsh (Norlane)
- Best Community or Common Area Garden – Hamida Abdi (Kensington)
- Best Creative Garden – Neriman Ali (Dandenong)
- Best Young Gardener – Maddelyn Keen (aged 12, Shepparton)
- Best First Year Entered Garden – Elizabeth O’Keeffe (Warrnambool).
The Victoria in Bloom Gardener of the Year award was presented to 21-year-old Daniel Budge-Welsh from Norlane for his sustainable garden which uses aquaculture and hydroponics as well as chicken and worm farming.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
“The diversity and ingenuity on display in these gardens is really inspiring – it’s a reminder that gardens come in all sizes large and small, with so many purposes ranging from edible to decorative.”
“Community gardens really do build local community, with people sharing tips and advice and working together outdoors to make something very special.”
“We’ve been amazed by the diversity and quality of the entries this year – it’s a credit to everyone who decided to have a go, and to all these people who had the vision to make a beautiful space outside their home.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020