By Kirsty Ross
DESPITE water restrictions making beautiful garden cultivation a difficult task, outstanding local green thumbs were awarded for their efforts earlier this week.
Winners of the Hobsons Bay City Council’s eighth annual Picture Perfect Garden Awards were announced at a presentation at Newport Lakes Park on Monday, 27 November.
Judged by a panel of garden experts, 10 gardens and the best street were announced out of a pool of more than 40 entrants.
The five categories honed in on the municipality’s best street, most eco-friendly, best home, school and community or commercial garden.
Hobsons Bay mayor Carl Marsich said that like previous years, the awards had a strong environmental focus with a separate category for the city’s most eco-friendly home garden, and all other gardens being assessed on sustainability merits as well as their presentation.
“This was particularly important this year given the drought and water restrictions,” Cr Marsich said.
“While most of the entries we received were self-nominating, a sizeable proportion came from family, friends and even casual passers-by who admired a garden.
“It’s terrific that so many members of our community have taken this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of their neighbours.
“I congratulate this year’s winners and thank all the nominees for their ongoing contribution to our city.”
Winners were presented with a certificate and a $200 garden supplies gift voucher courtesy of the Hobsons Bay Traders’ Associations of Altona, Laverton and Newport.
Altona Meadows Primary School also received an honourable mention for its exemplary gardening and environmental initiatives.
