Winners announced in Palaszczuk Government Ipswich My Home Awards

Public housing tenants with a passion for making their gardens beautiful have been recognised at today’s (Friday) 2018 Ipswich My Home Awards ceremony.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said 44 of the 844 entries received from around the state were from the Ipswich Housing Service Centre region.

“We had a range of gardens from right across region and people have done a phenomenal job of adapting their gardens to suit the dry weather conditions,” Ms Howard said.

“It has been great to see neighbours working together to create beautiful gardens and common spaces.”

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said the My Home Awards recognised the gardens of public housing tenants, no matter if they were in a backyard, on a balcony or the communal garden tended by a number of tenants.

“The My Home Awards highlight the pride and time that public housing tenants take in caring for their gardens, and also aims to encourage tenants to participate in their local community,” he said.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the awards featured eight categories – House Garden, Edible/Bush Tucker Garden, Courtyard Garden, Balcony Garden, Water-wise Garden, New Gardener, Children’s Garden and Communal Garden.

“Gardening is a key activity for a healthy lifestyle. It gets you outdoors, active, and you can grow your own vegetables that can be used to create healthy meals – and help save money,” she said.

Some of the winners in the Town category include: Jo Morgan (House Garden), Dianne Wyatt (Water-wise Garden), Maria Corrales (Courtyard Garden), Shane Johns (Edible/Bush Tucker Garden), Marshall Massey (Children’s Garden), Pat Young (Balcony Garden) and Maria Robinson (New Gardener).

Some of the winners in the Country category include: Lyn Zahnow (Water-wise Garden), Henry Mills (Courtyard Garden), Mary Svensson and Greg Love (Edible/Bush Tucker Garden), Margaret Richards (Balcony Garden), Myra Clark (New Gardener) and Daniel and Bibiana Needham (Communal Garden).

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said this was the fourth year the awards – presented in 22 Housing Service Centre regions across the state – had been held since being axed by the LNP and reinstated by the Palaszczuk Government.

“This government believes in treating tenants with respect and giving them an opportunity to be part of their community by showing pride in their homes,” Mr de Brenni said.

All award entrants received a Garden Pack – containing a calico tote bag, planting guide and sunscreen – certificate and a photo of their garden.

Prize winners received vouchers to the value of $80 for first prize, $50 for runner up and $30 for highly commended.

For more information about the 2018 My Home Awards, visit your local Housing Service Centre or log onto the website:

https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/public-housing-tenants/my-home-awards

ENDS

MEDIA 0466 834 330