Hills Shire gardens shine
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition was run again in 2022 as part of the Orange Blossom Festival . Steeped in history and intricately linked to the Hills Shire , the first competition ran in 1959 as the brainchild of Councillor Eric Mobbs . It became the forerunner of the Orange Blossom Festival , so the event has a significant place in the cultural history of The Garden Shire .
This year we had Hills residents , businesses , schools and institutions enter their gardens for spring judging and it has been a great year with beautiful gardens on display . All gardens entered into the competition were judged in their spring glory from mid-September culminating in an award ceremony which honoured prize-winning gardeners . This was held at the Harvey Lowe Pavilion in Castle Hill .
The event was attended by several dignitaries including David Elliott MP ( member for Baulkham Hills ), Ray Williams MP ( member for Castle Hill ) and Mark Hodges ( Deputy Mayor , The Hills Shire Council ).
The gardens were judged by professional and experienced horticulturists and gardening experts Lucia Fowler and Peter Whitehead . Lucia owned the Garden Centre at St Ives for many years before retiring and Peter owned the very popular garden centre at Turramurra .
They were thrilled to be judging the competition and thanked everyone for the opportunity . They both thoroughly enjoyed the experience and said they were lucky to meet some wonderfully passionate people and see some amazing gardens .
The Garden Competition is run each year by The Rotary Club of the Hills- Kellyville and has a variety of categories for gardeners , such as those that live in small townhouses and have residential gardens , to gardens of industrial , commercial and retirement complexes . The competition is open to all gardens located in the Hills Shire and adjoining parts of surrounding suburbs .
The last few years have seen a record number of entries coinciding with huge interest in our homes and gardens and there were a host of new entrants this year including the ones below :
- Champion of Champions Garden of Dale and Chris Brown - a historic house in Castle Hill surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens full of interesting , sometimes quirky features .
- The Environmental Awareness Award was won by Kellyville Public School . The award given by Ray Williams MP was accepted by teachers and students involved in the school garden .
- The George Eric Mobbs Award for Excellence in Gardening was won by Jim Anderson with a special award from the Deputy Mayor , Mark Hodges , and Garden Competition organiser Keith Stapley .
- Denis and Jennie Fleming have created a delightful backyard in Kellyville . Apart from the well-tended gardens and lawns it is full of Denis ’ creative efforts using all manner of discarded materials to populate the place with the most unexpected features .
- Not all workplaces need to be dull and boring . The Goodman Properties complex in Castle Hill is a good example of well-planned landscaping and effective maintenance .
- Ninety something year old Joy finds great pleasure in looking after her bright , colourful garden in Castle Hill .
The Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville not only holds events in the local community , it also raises funds for numerous programs far and wide , from the Hills area to outback Australia to overseas communities with specific needs . To be part of an inspired group that are making a difference , contact the club though our website or Facebook page .
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition is an Orange Blossom Festival Event .
Denis and Jennie Fleming .
The Environmental Awareness Award presented by Ray Williams .
Champion of Champions Garden - Dale and Chris Brown .
Joy enjoying her garden in Castle Hill .
The Goodman Properties Complex .
Dale and Chris Brown receiving their award from Deputy Mayor Mark Hodges .
Garden winners
• Small Residential Garden Owner Maintained - Dale and Chris Brown
• Large Residential Garden Owner Maintained - Jim Anderson
• Residential Front or Back Garden Owner Maintained - Brian Graf
• New Garden / Owner Maintained- Equal Gail and Bob White / Jan Callagher
• Townhouse , Villa or Courtyard Garden Owner Maintained - Kaye and Bob Smith
• Senior Citizen ’ s Entire Garden - Dale and Chris Brown Senior Citizen ’ s Front Garden - Denis and Jennie Fleming
• Senior Citizen ’ s Townhouse or Courtyard Garden - Kaye and Bob Smith
• Senior Citizen ’ s Garden in a Retirement complex - Equal Gail and Bob White / Jan Callagher
• Strata or Community Title Property Professionally Maintained - Macarthur Ridge
• Good Neighbour Gardens - Villas 65-72 Living Choice
• Specialty Gardens and features - Denis and Jennie Fleming
• Communal or Community Garden - Aminya Village
• Industrial , Commercial or Institution Garden - Living Choice Glenhaven
• Primary School Gardens Student Maintained - Kellyville Public School
• School Gardens Maintained by Staff - Kellyville Public School
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12 ISSUE 89 // NOVEMBER 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT