Chronicle Garden Competition launches at Toowoomba Showgrounds with mayor Paul Antonio

The famous Chronicle Garden Competition has kicked off again for 2023 with a special launch and there is plenty of new information about categories and criteria. Details here:

Toowoomba’s premier celebration of home horticulture has officially kicked off, with the launch of the Chronicle Garden Competition this week.

Thursday’s opening event at the Toowoomba Showgrounds gave new and returning participants the rundown of the 2023 comp, which runs during the region’s centrepiece tourism spectacle the Carnival of Flowers.

Founded and sponsored by The Chronicle, the competition pits the best green thumbs against each other to create an incredible network of natural displays.

(from left) TRC Mayor Paul Antonio, Mr Shawn Walker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement), UniSQ and Chronicle general manager Erika Brayshaw. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

This year’s edition includes a number of new categories, including “best floral garden” and a junior prize.

Mayor Paul Antonio said the Chronicle Garden Competition was an integral part of the region’s gardening history.

“This is a rich tradition, it’s a brilliantly rich tradition,” he said.

“It’s time to recognise the hard work that’s gone into these gardens for such a long period of time.

“It’s continued through droughts and floods — months of toil are invested into the home garden competition.”

You can email questions and applications to [e-mail] or call The Chronicle’s administration team on 4688 6661.

The point of contact for entrants is Mike Wells, who can be contacted on 0427 821 478.

Important dates

– August 11, 2pm: applications close

– September 1-7: Judging period

– September 14, 10.30am: Award presentations (venue TBA)

Check out the photos of the event below:

(from left) Cr James O'Shea with Leisa and Serge Rossignol. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Narelle Hurse (left) and Kellie Gersekowski. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

John and Lenore Ferris from Crows Nest. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Fellow gardeners and cousins, Sheryl Lothian (left) and Shirley Cronk. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

John McGuinn (left) and Ray Ashford. The Chronicle Garden Competition Launch at the Glenvale Room, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Thursday, April 20, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.