Community & Business
1 October, 2022
Blooming efforts earn awards for gardeners
SPENDING the past two years transforming the Walkamin Caravan Park into a garden oasis has paid off for owners Dallas and Mark Roseler who took out two major awards last week in the Tablelands Regional Council’s annual garden competition.
The winners of the eagerly contested garden awards were announced at last week’s council meeting, with Cr Annette Haydon, who judged the entries, presenting the awards to the winners of seven categories.
Wallkamin Caravan Park took out the first ever People’s Choice award and Best Commercial Garden, while Rangeview residents, Casey and Ian Perkes, won the prestigious Garden of the Year title as well as Best Rural Garden.
Cr Haydon said she was once again im-pressed with the nominated gardens.
“We received 15 nominations from across the region and judging was really tough because the gardens were all fantastic,” she said.
“We travelled to Atherton, Malanda, Millaa Millaa, Mount Garnet, Upper Barron, Walkamin, Tolga, Yungaburra, and Herberton to see the gardens.
“It was great to be invited onto these proper-ties and fantastic to hear the gardeners’ personal stories.
“The difference in the gardens because of our region’s range of climate and locations was also amazing.
“I was totally blown away by the pride and passion these people have for their gardens.
“I congratulate not only the winners of each category, but everyone who nominated and any-one who spends time in their garden.”
It was the first time the council has included a People’s Choice award which attracted 392 votes, 76 of which voted for Walkamin Caravan Park, followed by 72 for Fay Marsh’s garden at Mt Garnet.
Mrs Roesler said her husband Mark had been passionate about improving the natural areas of the caravan park since they took over the reins two years ago.
“It went from barely having a blade of green grass to a garden oasis,” she said.
“Mark put in 2km of irrigation and planted over 400 natives as well as creating an orchid wall and establishing a lot of colourful flowering beds.
“Our guests love to walk around the gardens in the afternoon.”
The Perkes had to start their garden from scratch when they built their house in Rankin Street, Rangeview five years ago.
Ian says he didn’t have a specific vision for the garden but wanted to ensure what he planted would not need copious amounts of watering and be easy to grow.
“We have great soil here – if you put a cutting in the ground and water it, it will grow,” Ian said.
“The majority of the garden has come seeds or cuttings and I am very vigilant about mulching so watering is not an issue.”
Ian says he likes to spend time just about every afternoon wandering through his garden, “pulling out a weed here and there” or doing a bit of clipping.
“I am happiest when I’m on my ride on – I find mowing the grass very peaceful,” he said
First place winners of the 2022 Tablelands Garden Awards
Home Garden – Katherine and Ian Hays, Tolga.
New Home Garden – Nicole van Beuningen, Yungaburra.
Rural Home Garden – Casey and Ian Perkes, Tolga. Edible Garden – Rebecca Hearn, Upper Barron. Community Garden – Better Together, Atherton.
Commercial Garden – Walkamin Caravan Park.
Young Gardener - Jubilee Christian College.
People’s Choice – Walkamin Caravan Park.
Council thanked sponsors Seaperia, Bunnings Warehouse and Atherton Rotary Club for their donations towards prizes.
