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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
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Orbost Outdoor Pool will introduce a clearer, community-informed schedule for the 2025 season, offering predictable peak-season hours and flexible warm-weather openings to better support families, school-aged swimmers and local pool users. - South Gippsland Shire Council wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year and other council updates
South Gippsland Shire Council wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, highlights skatepark opening, Australia Day awards, community programs, seasonal bin changes, and upcoming events. - 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. - Baw Baw Shire honours nine outstanding individuals and groups at 2026 Australia Day Awards ceremony held on 22 January 2026
Nine individuals and groups were honoured at Baw Baw Shire’s 2026 Australia Day Awards for outstanding community service, celebrated by Mayor Kate Wilson and the local community. - Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, delivering world-class trails, boosting tourism, community, and local economy
Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - Latrobe City Council announces '2025 Latrobe Through Your Lens' photography and video winners
Latrobe City Council congratulates winners of the 2025 Latrobe Through Your Lens competition, celebrating local photography and videography with category prizes and an overall winner highlighted across Council platforms. - Gippsland Water Customer Satisfaction Survey opens from 1 to 17 October, feedback chance to win $100 bill credits
Gippsland Water’s annual customer satisfaction survey runs October 1-17, allowing all customers to provide feedback and enter a draw to win one of ten $100 bill credits. - Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences. - Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences. - Drouin’s Commercial Place precinct to get $1.1M upgrades, enhancing safety, accessibility, streetscape and supporting local businesses
Construction on Drouin’s $1.1 million Commercial Place precinct upgrade begins October 2025, improving safety, accessibility, streetscape, pedestrian crossings, laneways, lighting, greenery, and community usability, completing mid-2026. - Danny O’Brien says retail theft in Gippsland South has risen over 70 percent recently, threatening local businesses
Retail theft in Gippsland has soared over 70%, hitting Wellington hardest, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien calling for stronger law enforcement to protect small businesses from rising crime. - Noojee chosen for Healthy Forest Plans Pilot with $4M funding to boost tourism and local economy
Baw Baw Shire welcomes Noojee’s $4 million Healthy Forest Plans Pilot funding, part of a $30 million Victorian government initiative to boost regional tourism, support economic transition, and create local jobs. - Darren Chester celebrates Yarram Secondary College student achievements at 2025 annual awards ceremony presentation
Darren Chester attended Yarram Secondary College’s 2025 Awards, celebrating diverse student achievements, encouraging confidence and optimism, and acknowledging outgoing and incoming school captains leadership. - South Gippsland Remembrance Day services to be held in various locations and other council updates
South Gippsland marks Remembrance Day on 11 November with local services honouring veterans. Plus, free green waste disposal, festive giving initiatives, business support, community events, and engagement opportunities across the region this spring. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road speed limit instead of repairing dangerous regional road conditions
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor for reducing Hazelwood Road’s speed limit instead of repairing its deteriorating surface, calling for urgent action to improve regional road safety. - Gippsland Water launches Sounding Board, inviting community feedback with chance to win $1,000 gift card
Gippsland Water invites the community to join its Sounding Board, share feedback, influence future planning, and enter a draw to win a $1,000 gift card. - 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. - Danny O’Brien thanks volunteers and communities for celebrating Australia Day across South Gippsland with the awards and ceremonies
Danny O’Brien thanked volunteers, councils, and community groups for Australia Day events, celebrating new citizens, recognising local award recipients, and highlighting Gippsland South’s community spirit and contributions.
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