Triumph for our city grand champion gardener
A FORMER champion has made a triumphant return, winning The Chronicle Garden Competition’s top prize with a space that serves as a tribute to her late husband.
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A FORMER champion has made a triumphant return, winning The Chronicle Garden Competition's top prize with a space that serves as both a fresh start and a beautiful tribute to her late husband.
Julie Roggeveen was officially crowned the city grand champion at the City Golf Club last night for her Preston garden - her first return to the competition after husband Arch's passing in 2015.
"My husband passed away and I bought an acre of ground next door to my daughter. I've been in the new house for two years and started from a building site - except for the avocados," Ms Roggeveen said.
"There're a lot of things in my garden that are reminiscent of him - plants that we bought together, a topiary that we put together, his old wheelbarrow, it's all part of the garden and I miss him every day."
A lot of the new garden is made up of cuttings from her former champion Glencoe Crt home.
"It's a new garden, but for me it's full of my old favourites and things that I've grown. Some of the plants I've carried around for over 50 years," Ms Roggeveen said.
"I hope people go away feeling more peaceful than when they walked through the gate."
ABC Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson judged this year's city section of the competition.
"This event is the best example of garden tourism in Australia. It hasn't taken off (in this country) but Toowoomba does it so well," Ms Thomson said.
The Chronicle Garden Competition Visitor Guide, which includes the garden maps, will be issued in The Chronicle tomorrow and online at thechronicle.com.au.
Competition winners
- City Grand Champion: Julie Roggeveen
- City Reserve Grand Champion: Geoff Sams
- Country Grand Champion: Paul and Noela Rubb
- Country Reserve Grand Champion: Robyn Rolfe and Timo Sihvola
- Cliff Coddington Award: Gordon and Maria Reynolds
- Reg O'Shea Encouragement Award: Caitlyn Mason
- Good Neighbour Award: Julie Roggeveen and Jenny Skinner
Originally published as Triumph for our city grand champion gardener
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