Published Thursday, 30 October, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
GARDEN AWARDS A BLOOMING SUCCESS
The efforts of creative community and social housing tenants in Emerald and Central Queensland were recognised today as part of the 2008 Department of Housing Water-Wise Garden Awards.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said more than 160 gardens were entered by tenants from across the Central Queensland region this year, up from around 130 last year.
Mr Schwarten said the awards highlighted tenants’ gardening talents and water-saving efforts.
“The sheer 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.
“The water wise 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.
A number of highly commended and special awards were also presented.
All entrants in the awards will receive a certificate, a photo of their garden and a plant or voucher for garden products.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Editor's note: A list of winners is available by calling the number above.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said more than 160 gardens were entered by tenants from across the Central Queensland region this year, up from around 130 last year.
Mr Schwarten said the awards highlighted tenants’ gardening talents and water-saving efforts.
“The sheer 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.
“The water wise 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.
A number of highly commended and special awards were also presented.
All entrants in the awards will receive a certificate, a photo of their garden and a plant or voucher for garden products.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Editor's note: A list of winners is available by calling the number above.