General News
25 October, 2020
Best Gardens on the Tablelands
The winners of the much anticipated and eagerly contested Tablelands Garden Competition were announced on October 14
The winners of the much anticipated and eagerly contested Tablelands Garden Competition were announced on Wednesday, October 14 at a ceremony at the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC).
The judging panel this year consisted of Yungaburra resident and former landscape gardener Elizabeth Hamilton-Shaw and Deputy Mayor Kevin Cardew.
“I lived in the UK, PNG, Cape York, Central Australia and Sydney before moving to Yungaburra,” said Ms Hamilton-Shaw.
“As my background is in the arts, I am particularly interested in the shape, colour, texture and form of plants, and their juxtaposition with each other.”
Deputy Mayor Cardew said he was impressed with the number and range of entries.
‘We received 19 nominations from across the region and judging was really tough because the gardens were all of a high calibre.” he said.
“There were entries across all six categories, but the rural and edible garden categories were the most popular.
“We travelled to Atherton, Malanda, Millaa Millaa, Walkamin, Tolga, Kairi, Yungaburra, Peeramon and Herberton to see the gardens.
Deputy Mayor Cardew said it was fantastic to hear the gardeners’ personal stories and get insight into their gardening techniques.
“It is amazing to see the difference in the nature in which gardens are put together given the range of climate and locations within our region,” he said.
“I have nothing but admiration for the wonderful outdoor spaces our gardeners create.
“I congratulate not only the winners of each category, but everyone who nominated and anyone who spends time in their garden.”
Winner of the Garden of the Year award Sandra Paton from Atherton said did she didn’t even know she was nominated.
“I was shocked and surprised to find out that I won, I didn’t think we had a chance because my husband and my daughter entered the garden and didn’t tell me until after nominations had closed,” she said.
“The judges said my garden was very interesting, we have quite a big garden with a lot interesting memorabilia in the garden.”
“I would rather spend time at a nursery than in a dress shop.”
Sandra’s husband Denis said his wife was straight out to the garden of a morning and would stay out there until he had to drag her back inside for lunch. “She spends five to six hours a day at least in the garden, she is further pruning and moving things around the garden,” he said.
“Both of us would like to say thank you to the TRC, the judges and the sponsors.”
Winners of the Tablelands Garden Competition.
Garden of the Year — Sandra and Dennis Paton, Atherton
Home Garden
Dawn Muir, Peeramon — first place
Sandra and Dennis Paton, Atherton — first place
Maria and Terry Obst, Malanda — first place
Millaa Millaa Garden Club — first place
Atherton NRMA Holiday Park — first place
Jubilee Christian College — first place
