Sunshine Bay Estate is blossoming with richly coloured annuals, fabulous roses and flashy natives for the 2004 Garden Competition. After months of drought the heavens miraculously opened giving much needed rain to reward all the hard work that had been put in for the garden competition. The rain eased on the eve of the garden competition and by the morning of the 25th of October the sun was shining brightly and the gardeners of Sunshine Bay were madly mowing and pruning in readiness for the judges. It was difficult for the judges to remain anonymous amongst this feverish activity.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Congratulations to the winner of the first prize, Mrs Noelene Bestwick (28 Mitchell Crescent). This garden has a well thought out design with good use of contrasting colour and shape of foliage and is embroidered with roses, natives, exotics and a water feature. The symmetry of Mrs Bestwick’s garden creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and inspiring.

Second prize is awarded to Ms Lorraine Frost (98 Hume Road). The mix of silver and green leaved coloured foliage, a profusion of roses and blooming day lilies is a vision of delight, the sweet smell of the orange jessamine was the perfect finishing touch.

Mr and Mrs Alves (10 Cox Place) receive a highly commended for their efforts in the garden. This impressive garden has maples, conifers, roses, hybrid irises and so much more. This garden has the potential to become one of the premier gardens of the area.

Mr and Mrs Johns (4 Poole Place) also received a highly commended for their tropical theme garden with brightly coloured begonias, a shady palm tree, tree ferns, madonna lilies, native violets and impatiens.

Each year it becomes increasingly difficult for the judges. This might have been mentioned before but every year there are more dedicated gardeners working their magic. As a result the number of encouragement awards has been increased to six.

We congratulate our most recent additions to Sunshine Bay, Mr and Mrs Kelly (6 Stuart Place) and Mr and Mrs Diggins (6 John Forrest Place). It is amazing that such new gardens display such style and colour the judges look forward to watching these gardens evolve.

Two encouragement awards go to Blaxland Crescent. Mr and Mrs Picker (1A Blaxland Crescent) have a beautiful display of roses and a magnificent bougainvillea. Mr and Mrs Bradshaw (4 Blaxland Crescent) have the softest bowling-green lawn and a great mix of evergreens and annuals.

Ms Meyer (54 Thomas Mitchell Crescent) received an encouragement award. Her garden is filled with dashing roses, a gardenia that is just about to bloom, a feature path of succulents and begonias and a trailing mass of convolvulus.

Special mention for Thomas Mitchell Crescent, the judges loved the creative touches of the coloured rocks and the small children helping in the garden. Also to all those who tend the gardens in the round-a-bouts as well as their own gardens, thank you for your magnificent effort, it is appreciated.