26 October 2023
By Hannah Wilcox
The winners of this year’s North Sydney Garden Competition have been announced from a selection of 50 examples of local horticultural talent.
Waverton townhouse complex Wondakiah won Most Beautiful Garden, whilst Di McKenzie-Rabu took out the Balcony and Courtyard Garden award and Jase Carr was awarded best Indoor Garden.
Guthrie Childcare Centre won Children’s Garden and Harry Loots won the award for Native Habitat Garden.
For the Edible Garden awards, the private category went to Dominic Cadden whilst ANZAC Park Community Garden took out the community award.
The Lex and Ruby Graham Prize, in honour of the two residents who were committed to beautifying Cremorne’s waterfront reserve since 1959, had two awards available for the most beautiful individual and group garden; awarded to Stewart Hodgson and Streets Alive, Carr Street, Waverton.
Mary Drummond was given the Nutcote Judge’s Award for her backyard’s colourful floral arrangements.
The winners were chosen by Judge Judith Sleijpen from a pool of more than 50 entries and were announced to a crowd of 140 avid gardeners at a presentation ceremony on Wednesday, hosted by North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker and Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis.
“The North Sydney Garden Competition is much more than just a competition,” Mayor Baker said.
“Whether you are involved in Bushcare, Streets Alive, a community garden or passionate about your personal plot or personal pots – this evening is a celebration of both gardening and community.”
“Certainly, your work cultivating nature or reviving a habitat has, and will continue to have, a substantial and significant effect on all those who pass by.”