LOCAL LIFE
Say G ’ day to Bluey and Bingo at the OBF parade
Hills Shire residents and visitors are invited to soak up the carnival atmosphere at this year ’ s Orange Blossom Festival ( OBF ) Parade on Saturday 21 September at Rouse Hill Town Centre . The event will begin at 11am with hundreds of musicians , dancers , acrobats and performers from groups including the Hills District Pipe Band , The Hills SES Unit and Millenium Marching Band marching down Main Street alongside floral characters and colourful floats .
The Parade will end in Market Square , followed by performances from community groups and special guest appearances by Bluey and Bingo at the ‘ Bluey Live Interactive Experience ’.
Attendees will also be able to participate in free activities , such as face painting , potting workshops and the OBF swing and photo wall on the day .
Mayor of The Hills Shire , Dr Peter Gangemi said the parade would be back bigger and better than ever in 2024 .
“ The OBF Parade is a wonderful Hills Shire tradition that returned in 2023 with a modern twist , showcasing local dancers , musicians , performers and community groups for a day of family fun ,” Mayor Gangemi said .
“ The 2024 edition will be bigger and better than ever , and Hills residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a wonderful
Image credit : BLUEY TM and BLUEY character logos TM & © Ludo Studio Pty Ltd 2018 . day of family fun at Rouse Hill Town Centre .
“ This year ’ s OBF Parade will include the Secret Garden , a sensory space for neurodivergent attendees who might prefer a quieter and more relaxing place to unwind during the event .”
Neurodivergent describes a person on the autism spectrum or with other conditions , such as dyslexia and ADHD . The Secret Garden aims to provide neurodivergent attendees with a quiet place to retreat to during the event . Free sensory toys such as orange play dough will be given away on the day .
Attendees are encouraged to catch public transport to Rouse Hill Metro Station , which is conveniently located within the Rouse Hill Town Centre precinct .
The OBF Parade is one of three main events during this year ’ s Orange Blossom Festival , with the OBF Night Markets occurring at Castle Hill Showground on Saturday 7 September and a brandnew food and wine event , OBF Taste of Wisemans , happening at Wisemans Ferry Park on Sunday 29 September .
A range of community-run events will also be held throughout September in association with Orange Blossom Festival .
For more information about these events , visit the official Orange Blossom Festival website : www . orangeblossomfestival . com . au .
Recognising the Hills district finest gardens
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition is on again in 2024 . Steeped in history and intricately linked to the Hills Shire , this year marks 65 years since the first competition ran as the brainchild of Councillor Eric Mobbs . It became the forerunner of the Orange Blossom Festival , so has a significant place in the cultural history of “ The Garden Shire ”.
Hills residents , businesses and
Beautiful gardens from small to large are seen throughout the Sydney Hills Garden Competition . institutions are encouraged to register their gardens by 5pm on Friday 13th September 2024 for spring judging during the Orange Blossom Festival .
This is a call out to all gardeners ... register your gardens and get ready for the judging in the third week of September . Entry forms are available at www . hillsgardencomp . org . au or Council ’ s website .
The Garden Competition is run each year by The Rotary Club of the Hills- Kellyville and has a variety of categories for gardeners from small town houses to residential gardens , to gardens of industrial , commercial and retirement complexes . The competition covers a diverse range of categories for all types of gardeners – even young gardeners in the schools category .
Specialty gardens such as cottage , communal and environmentally friendly gardens are also included . The garden competition is open to gardens located in the Hills Shire and adjoining parts of the suburbs of North Rocks , Carlingford , Northmead , Winston Hills , Baulkham Hills , West Pennant Hills , Cherrybrook , Glenhaven , Dural , Arcadia , Galston and Glenorie .
Gardens are judged by professional and experienced horticulturists and landscapers . In the past judges have included local gardening gurus Judy Horton , Ross Miller , the late Bruce Pike as well as Horticulturalist Lucia Fowler .
“ There are so many beautiful gardens since the weather challenges of the last few years . We ’ re so lucky to have so many garden proud residents who are able to enjoy their surrounds in the Hills district . Spring is a special time to celebrate the fine gardens of the garden shire ,” said Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville President , John van den Burg .
Judging will be held between 16th and 20th September culminating in an Awards Night on Friday 27th September where award winning gardens and their gardeners will be honored and receive prizes .
For more information about entering or sponsorship opportunities visit www . hillsrotary . org . au , your local garden centre or Keith Stapley on 0412 079 014 .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 111 // SEPTEMBER 2024 11