Awards

Council recognises the efforts and achievements of the community through several awards including Australia Day Awards.

Australia Day Awards

Nominations for Australia Day Awards will be sought in late 2009 with winners announced at the Australia Day Event on 26 January 2009.

Tablelands Regional Council Garden Awards

Annual competition covering the Tablelands area which encourages residents and business owners to take pride in their premises and streets.

In 2009 all gardens entered in the competition will be judged for their water-wise attributes, with a prize awarded to the Best Water-Wise garden.

Entries Close: 14 August 2009                      Judging: 20 - 21 August 2009                     Zone Awards Presentation: 1 September 2009

Conditions of Entry: The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

General Guidelines: An eligible home garden is one in which a professional gardener is not employed (lawn mowing and digging are not considered professional gardening work). Power poles, manholes, street signs and the like, not under the control of the homeowner, are allowed for during judging.

Categories

Home Garden
Should emphasise trees, shrubs and climbers. Colour should come mainly from flowers and foliage. The whole garden is judged.

New Home Garden
The garden should be no more than two years old. Points are allocated the same as for the Home Garden section. The whole garden is judged.

Unit/Balcony Garden
For individual owners of units. This area will be judged on plants and how they are presented.

Front Garden/Footpath
This is for the front garden only and does not include the backyard area. Should emphasise an attractive appearance from the street.

Native Garden
The first impression must be that it is a native garden - that is, comprised predominantly (minimum 70%) of Australian native plants, and the dominant plants in the garden must be Australian native plants.

Country/Rural Garden
Should emphasise trees, shrubs, general layout, colour and neatness and the garden should provide shade and comfortable living space.

Pensioners/Seniors Garden
A garden maintained by a pensioner or senior (aged over 60 years). The guidelines are the same as for the Home Garden.

Most Colourful Garden
Emphasis should be on colour, provided by flowering plants and foliage, with layout, colour and neatness being considered.

Community Facilities/Clubs
Includes churches, halls, clubs and others. Judging as per the general guidelines.

Commercial/Public Institutions
Includes shops, shopping centres, restaurants, service stations, public and private schools, aged care facilities, semi-government and industrial complexes. Substitutes may be used for lawns and site disabilities are accounted for during judging.

Zones

The Tablelands Garden Competition 2009 will be conducted in two Zones, Northern and Southern.

The Northern Zone will take in from Walkamin township north, including Mareeba, Kuranda, and the Mt Molloy/Julatten area.

The Southern Zone will take in all towns south from Walkamin, including Atherton, Yungaburra, Malanda, Herberton and Ravenshoe area.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for first and second in each category, with the zone awards presentation to take place on 1 September.

The Champion Garden and Best Native Garden in both zones will compete against each other to win the title of Tablelands Grand Champion Gardens. The overall winners will be announced at the Tablelands Garden Expo to be held at Merriland Hall, Atherton on 19-20 September.

Inquiries can be directed to 1300 362 242.