Let your green thumbs do the talking

By Annabel McCully
Waverley Council’s Civic Pride Awards for Gardening celebrate the efforts of people who make Waverley beautiful while helping the environment. For Waverley Mayor Ingrid Strewe, the aim of these awards is to encourage beautiful, sustainable and water-wise gardens.

Last year, entrants were excited about having their hard work recognised as well as meeting other enthusiastic gardeners. During the award ceremony, the late Kirk Keating was happy to receive the Encouragement Award for his long-standing volunteer efforts at Wairoa School.

The garden is one place where you can make big improvements to the environment with little time and effort. The greener you are in the garden, the more chance you have of winning, so don’t forget to explain how your garden is helping the environment to give yourself that winning edge.

Judging will examine whether you recycle/harvest water, the overall appearance of your garden, the use of native drought-tolerant plants, and the use of a compost bin or worm farm. Judges will also look at whether you grow fruit/vegetables and herbs, the level of biodiversity in your garden, facilities for native wildlife, use of organic/non chemical gardening practices and how your garden enhances community pride.

Categories for the awards include best back garden, street frontage, balcony garden, courtyard, community garden, and encouragement award. This year entries can win a $200 voucher, courtesy of Honeysuckle Garden Centre, as well as a copy of Myles Baldwin’s new book Period Gardens-Landscapes for Houses with History. Baldwin will again join the judging panel, with the prize ceremony to be held at Bronte House. Runners-up will also receive $100 honeysuckle garden centre vouchers.

Entries close on Tuesday October 7. Judging will start the following week. For entry forms call 9386-7925, visit civicpride@waverley.nsw.gov.au or pick one up from the library or council’s customer service centre in Spring Street, Bondi Junction.