We are proud to recognise the deserving winners of our 2021 Spring Garden Competition.
Green thumbs and gardening enthusiasts from across our City came together at our Woodville Civic Centre in November to celebrate the great gardens of Charles Sturt.
This event is about so much more than just beautiful gardens. It connects our community and fosters new friendships, promotes environmental awareness and helps grow a sense of pride in our vibrant City.
Judges Mayor Angela Evans and Janet Willoughby, Open Space Community Planner, were lucky enough to visit 66 gardens as part of this year’s competition. The passion and enthusiasm of all entrants was a consistent theme. A warm congratulations goes to all who participated.
The winners, who were presented their awards by TV, radio host and author Sophie Thomson, were:
Small Garden Award
Winner: Nathan Tomlinson of West Croydon
This garden is well thought out with coordinated colours, many formal elements, lighting, sculptures and water features all working together to create a truly beautiful space.
Home Garden Award
Winner: Sarah Wing of Kilkenny
The winning garden had a surprise around every corner showcasing elements of colour, texture and quirky pieces. A labour of love, this garden delighted both judges who hope to visit again next year.
Food Garden Award
Winner: Brooklyn Mabbott of Bowden
This garden used the available space very cleverly. A small garden developed and maintained with much thought and passion, this garden is a fine example of sustainable living in the urban environment.
Community/Non-Residential Garden Award
Winner: Rebecca Bath of the Plant-About in Flinders Park
This garden is one of a number of Community Gardens within Charles Sturt and has rapidly developed into a beautiful community space. People can sit in this garden and enjoy the beauty of the floral plantings and pick a few veggies on their way through.
School Garden Award
Winner: The Palms – Findon High School
This garden has been developed and maintained by a dedicated team of students with disabilities and their support staff. It assists students with their projects and studies, consisting mostly of edible plants.
Most Loved Street Award
Winner: Woodville Greening
The local community has come together to plant and maintain gardens that are mostly Australian natives, providing a curious mix of colour, texture and joy to those who pass by.
Verge Garden Award
Winner: Michael Atkinson of Woodville Park
A beautiful verge garden that is the focal point of the street with a huge range of both edibles and ornamental plantings.
Habitat Hero Award
Winner: Kerry James of Woodville Park
A garden that oozes peace and serenity, so much so, that the judges were reluctant to leave. Carefully selected plants provide habitat opportunities for all creatures and many surprises as you wander the paths through this fantastic bush block in the middle of suburbia.
Coolest (cool not groovy) Garden Award
Winner: Paul Heath and Gary Bartlett
Lush and green and as cool as a cucumber, this garden is testament to the many years of love and attention given it by its creators. The garden’s design provides a great environment for entertaining and adds a little taste of Bali to the backyard.
Mayor’s Encouragement Award
Winner: Robert Bowie and Barry Sherwell – Ovingham Greening
There were two winners of this year’s Mayor’s Encouragement Award.
The first recognises a thoughtfully created garden with plenty of colour in its heart-shaped design.
The second acknowledges a very young garden which has brought so much joy to the community, transforming a local patch into something quite beautiful - inspiring several other community projects.
Great Garden Citizen
Winner: Semaphore Park Community Garden
This year the award goes to a group rather than an individual commending their efforts in growing plants for the South Australian Bushfire Garden Revival programme and Trees For Life, along with supporting numerous other green causes each year.
Kids Garden
Winners: Isaac Powell and Charlize Giles
We're thrilled to recognise two young budding green thumbs Isaac and Charlize who both showed they have a bright future ahead in the garden with their entries.
Congratulations to all our winners!
