CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF FUN, FESTIVITIES AND GARDENS
THE Toowoomba community has much to be proud of and even more to celebrate when it comes to the history of this city.
Over the last seven decades, much has changed here; from massive infrastructure advancements like the Toowoomba Bypass and the development of new suburbs and housing estates, to smaller changes, like the addition of trendy cafés and graffiti art on inner–city walls.
Not everything has changed, though.
Two events — running hand–in-hand for so long, people have started mistaking them for a single event — have been with the Toowoomba community through thick and thin and have been deeply woven into the fabric of the city’s identity.
We refer, of course, to The Chronicle Garden Competition and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Back in 1949, while people were still suffering through the after–effects of World War II, the first Garden Competition was organised in an attempt to brighten the appearance of the town and to lift post–war spirits.
At about the same time, the first Carnival was held with the intention of using Toowoomba’s reputation as the ‘Garden City’ to draw investment and economic activity to the town and region.
The first Garden Competition drew 50 entrants, promising £50 in prize money, and the first Carnival had an estimated 50,000 spectators enjoying the three-mile-long parade procession.
A few things have changed since then, like the Carnival parade route, the Garden Competition’s prize money, the popularity of both events and adaptations due to climate change and socio– political factors.
This year, 122 gardens were entered into the Garden Competition and, judging by the crowds attending last year’s Carnival, the 2019 event will also be a resounding success.
When thinking back over the last 70 years, everyone in Toowoomba will have fond memories of these two events, whether those memories are of watching the parade, or visiting a gorgeous garden, eating and drinking local produce, enjoying live entertainment, spending quality time with friends and family, or even meeting your soul mate at these events.
One of the things Toowoomba residents can be most proud of, is how they stay loyal to the things that make them who they are, while being flexible enough to change when change is needed, to roll with the punches, and to emerge better and stronger when all is said and done.
In this celebratory pictorial, we share some of our favourite images from The Chronicle Garden Competition and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, fondly looking back at our history.
Here at The Chronicle, we’re very proud of our Garden Competition and honoured to be a major partner of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, and we hope both events enjoy many more fruitful years.