Published Tuesday, 28 October, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
SW QLD GARDEN AWARDS A BLOOMING SUCCESS
The efforts of creative tenants with green thumbs from community and social housing in South West Queensland were recognised today in Warwick as part of the Department of Housing’s 2008 Water-Wise Garden Awards.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said this year’s winning gardens were selected from the more than 60 entered by tenants from across the region.
“The number and quality of this year’s entries presented a challenge to the judges in deciding the winners,” Mr Schwarten said.
“As well as water efficiency, the judges looked for gardens that reflected pride in a home or neighbourhood. A number of highly commended and special awards were also handed out.”
Mr Schwarten said the awards were a great success in highlighting tenants’ gardening talents and water-saving efforts.
“The Garden Awards recognise tenants who show pride in their gardens while reflecting and promoting water-wise principles such as using compost and mulch, and selecting plants that require little water and fertiliser,” he said.
“While not all parts of the State are suffering from drought, the theme of this year’s awards recognised that water is a precious resource for all Queenslanders.”
The department’s Garden Awards have been running successfully for the past 10 years.
“Over the years, the Garden Awards have provided tenants with an opportunity to showcase their gardens, while providing recognition of the important role tenants play in improving their local community,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This is a great example of tenants being involved in community life, which supports the Queensland Government’s aim to increase by 50% the number of Queenslanders involved in their community by the year 2020, a target of the Toward Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative.”
All entrants in the awards will receive a certificate, a photo of their garden and a plant or voucher for garden products.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 32371832
Editor's note: A list of winners is available by contacting Scott Chandler.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said this year’s winning gardens were selected from the more than 60 entered by tenants from across the region.
“The number and quality of this year’s entries presented a challenge to the judges in deciding the winners,” Mr Schwarten said.
“As well as water efficiency, the judges looked for gardens that reflected pride in a home or neighbourhood. A number of highly commended and special awards were also handed out.”
Mr Schwarten said the awards were a great success in highlighting tenants’ gardening talents and water-saving efforts.
“The Garden Awards recognise tenants who show pride in their gardens while reflecting and promoting water-wise principles such as using compost and mulch, and selecting plants that require little water and fertiliser,” he said.
“While not all parts of the State are suffering from drought, the theme of this year’s awards recognised that water is a precious resource for all Queenslanders.”
The department’s Garden Awards have been running successfully for the past 10 years.
“Over the years, the Garden Awards have provided tenants with an opportunity to showcase their gardens, while providing recognition of the important role tenants play in improving their local community,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This is a great example of tenants being involved in community life, which supports the Queensland Government’s aim to increase by 50% the number of Queenslanders involved in their community by the year 2020, a target of the Toward Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative.”
All entrants in the awards will receive a certificate, a photo of their garden and a plant or voucher for garden products.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 32371832
Editor's note: A list of winners is available by contacting Scott Chandler.