HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL
OUR FAMOUS CHRONICLE GARDEN COMPETITION ALSO TURNS 70 THIS YEAR
THIS weekend marks the very significant start to the 70th year of Toowoomba’s famed Carnival of Flowers.
Since 1949, the Carnival of Flowers has grown to attract more than one quarter of a million attendees to our Garden City in 2018, as well as winning gold, and induction in the Hall of Fame, at both the Queensland and Australian Tourism Awards in the Major Festival and Event category.
Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of judging both the Schools and ABC Gardens categories in The Chronicle
Garden Competition, also now in its 70th year.
Today’s article is a montage of photos from some of the major and minor prize winners’ gardens in this year’s The Chronicle Garden Competition. Please visit as many of these wonderful gardens as possible over the next nine days of the Carnival of Flowers.
1. It’s been an absolute pleasure to judge Tim, Kylie and Peppa Munn’s garden (17 Faith St Toowoomba) over the past few years, and, whilst this shot isn’t of their gorgeous ever-improving floral and productive garden, I couldn’t resist Peppa’s Happy Birthday message to our Carnival of Flowers. Well done Munns.
2. If there was an award for enthusiasm and innovation in a garden, then Peter and Charmaine Williamson (30 Rhyde St Toowoomba) would win hands down. Charmaine simply loves her eclectic collection of plants in this little oasis in Mt Lofty, and Peter has a knack for innovative irrigation and garden devices that will have you leaving and wondering how you can do the same in your garden.
3. Peter and Carol Mullen’s dedication to their gorgeous front garden and entertainment area (1/47 Trevean Drv, Highfields) is a testament to their love of gardening through challenging times. Their enclosed entertaining area will have you finding new things with every sideways glance. Look for the hanging azaleas. Be prepared for a long stay.
4. Up at 1A Mabel St, Toowoomba is a gem of a garden that will certainly have the visitor “oohing and ahhing” as they traverse the well-marked walkways. David Stanfield has created a wonderfully quirky garden that will have you both intrigued and entertained at every twist and turn through the pathways and lawn areas. A must for every gardener and gardening family to see.
5. No visit to carnival gardens would be complete without a wander through Gordon and Maria Reynolds’ stunning native garden at 40 Smythe Drv, Highfields. This garden will leave you breathless as you contemplate how Gordon and Maria can grow such a range of beautiful (and sometimes rare and endangered) Australian native plants in a “standard” suburban yard. A must-see!
6. Long-time entrants Bob and Val Ford (19 Burke St, Toowoomba) have once again displayed their gardening mastery with one of the best-ever front yards entered in the history of The Chronicle Garden Competition. I believe this may be the Ford’s 29th year in the Garden Competition. Thank you, Bob and Val!
7. Once again Geoff Sams has excelled in having his small garden in top condition for this year’s garden competition. This little garden is just so pleasing to walk through, from his semi-formal front garden through the western oriental style passageway to his entertainment area and floral/productive garden at the rear of the house. A new feature this year is the eastern passageway garden, with raised wooden beds filled with glorious clivias and other shade-loving plants.
8. Julie Roggeveen has created a beautiful garden oasis in her new location (34 Preston-Boundary Rd, Top Camp), displaying growth and maturity well beyond the two or so years since establishment. Garden lovers will remember Julie and her late husband Arch’s stunning 5-time City Grand Champion garden at Glencoe Court, and her new garden is now showing signs of once again taking out the top prize!
9. Garden Cuttings – Make sure you get a copy of the Secrets of Toowoomba’s Gardeners book from The Chronicle front counter, local newsagencies, the Toowoomba Visitor’s Information Centre, Carnival Info Hubs and selected city and country Chronicle Competition gardens. Only $15 for an absolute plethora of gardening secrets from our expert carnival gardeners!