Returning Grand Champions Bob and Val Ford return for 2023 Chronicle Garden Competition

For more than three decades, a Toowoomba couple have showcased their hard work to the public. Now, they are more determined than ever to promote the region’s reputation to the rest of the nation.

For returning champions Bob and Val Ford, maintaining Toowoomba’s reputation is a frequent motivation when signing their names on the dotted line.

The award-winning residents have entered The Chronicle Garden Competition, part of the renowned Carnival of Flowers, for the 33rd year in a row, and have almost always taken home a prize.

Mr Ford said despite the duo now being 80, they were dedicated to keeping “Toowoomba alive”.

“We love gardening, but we do this to keep the image of the Garden City for Toowoomba,” he said.

“It’s the biggest money spinner and the biggest attraction for the city, and we both love gardening, so it’s just how we are.”

The couple took out the competition’s City Grand Champions in 2015, 2016, 2022 and are hoping to claim the prize again this September.

City Medium Residential winners, Bob & Val Ford, 19 Burke Street. Chronicle Garden Competition awards. City Golf Club.

“I stick to a winning thing, which is the more colour the better a garden should be in Toowoomba,” Mr Ford said.

“They come to see the parks. They don’t come to see vegetable gardens or the cottage gardens, that should not be on.

“I know everyone likes different things, but if you never had the parks, no one would come. So therefore, I’ve always had colour.”

Last year, the Rangeville garden featured a mix of soft coloured flowers, shrubs and trees, including Chinese lantern flowers and cherry blossom trees.

Mr Ford encouraged others to enter into the competition to keep Toowoomba’s reputation of being the Garden City of Australia strong and help welcome more visitors to the region.

For those interested in gardening, Mr Ford suggested taking it one step at a time.

“Don’t do the garden all at once,” he said.

“Pick a certain section, do it, be happy with it, and then start the next one.”

Entries into the 2023 Chronicle Garden Competition close on August 11 at 2pm.

The judging period will commence between September 1 and 7, with winners to be announced on September 14.