Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Local Green Thumbs Win Big In ABC Gardener of The Year AwardsHazelwood North couple, Denise and Athol Brand named state finalists in the 2018 ABC Gardener of the Year Awards. By Portal Admin - 22nd October 2018 - Back to News Hazelwood North couple, Denise and Athol Brand, have been named as state finalists in the 2018 ABC Gardener of the Year Awards. Their property was winner of the Mayor’s Award and the Large Garden category in the 2017 Latrobe City Garden Competition.
Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said the garden exemplified community heart and pride.
"Our annual garden competition has grown to symbolise the spirit of our city. We have community gardens, school gardens, edible gardens, rental properties, small urban gardens and everything in between. We know that people put a huge effort into making their patch beautiful or fruitful, whatever the size of scale of the property. That’s what we are aiming to recognise with the competition. And to see a winning garden achieve such success is a real boost to our community pride.
"Denise and Athol’s property was an outstanding entrant last year and to be in the running for the prestigious ABC Gardener of the Year Award is testament to their creativity, hard work and innovation," Cr White said.
Denise said she was still processing the news of the win in the Victoria and Tasmania category.
"I’m surprised to think that our garden has been selected from all the entrants across the two states. Being shortlisted was a thrill. When I received the call to say that we’d progressed to the interview stage, that felt like a win. A week later I received a further phone call and at the end of that one, we found out we have won the Victoria and Tasmania Gardener of the Year award. I was pretty shocked!"
"Our garden is special to us. We haven’t built it to be judged, we have built it for ourselves and our friends and family. But to receive this recognition – last year in the Latrobe City Garden Competition and now the ABC competition – is such an honour," Denise said.
"We garden from the heart and we have a continuous canvas to add to. It also gives us great pride and pleasure to radiate a sunny success story coming out of Morwell and the Latrobe Valley instead of the recent doom and gloom. Whatever the outcome of the final vote, we know we will continue to put our passion and creativity into our garden and know that others love it as much as we do," Denise said.
Cr White added that the public could vote for the ABC Gardener of the Year overall winners.
"We would encourage you to take a look at the Brand’s garden in the ABC Gardening magazine or on the website and vote. It’s a vote for a local garden and a vote for Latrobe City," Cr White concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates local flavours, award-winning cheeses, and culinary creations from passionate regional makers
Eat Drink Play Gippsland showcases top restaurants, award-winning cheeses, and artisanal delights. From snacks to gourmet dishes, the festival celebrates local flavours and passionate makers, offering something delicious for every palate. - Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland. - Wellington Shire Council to update Community Local Law 2021, ensuring relevance, inclusivity, and strong legal compliance
The Safer Communities Plan includes Jack's Law to clear weapons from streets, Restart for repeat offenders, and Youthstart to support at-risk youth. Mr Cameron says Labor lacks a plan to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, leaving regions vulnerable. - South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland. - Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program. - Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy. - West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District. - West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities. - Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates food, wine, music and stories that showcase the region's vibrant spirit
Eat Drink Play Gippsland blends local wine, food, and stories with live music, chats with growers, family fun, and creative experiences celebrating the region's vibrant culture and community spirit. - Raise a glass to Gippsland's finest wines, brews, spirits and ciders at 'Eat Drink Play'
EAT DRINK PLAY Gippsland serves up local wines, brews, spirits, and ciders. Festival-goers can enjoy tastings, community vibes, and unique creations from some of Gippsland's best makers. - Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - From Job expos to farms and sports awards connecting communities across East Gippsland through events and advocacy
From jobs expos to farm visits, sports awards, and community projects, recent weeks highlighted East Gippsland's talent, resilience, and collaboration, advocacy, and opportunities that strengthen local communities. - Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities. - Community feedback wanted on East Gippsland Draft Engagement Policy to strengthen participation in local decision-making
East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy, inviting input through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder consultation to strengthen participation in decision-making processes. - Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
|
|
