The Minister for Housing, Colin Brooks was joined by Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, to announce the winners of the 2023 Victoria in Bloom garden competition.
There was an impressive variety of gardens in this year’s competition – from balconies overflowing with coloured blooms to sustainable, community and edible gardens.
More than 100 renters entered the competition that celebrates the outstanding efforts of social housing renters to create beautiful gardens and communities.
The judges were impressed by the creativity in the gardens, and the time and energy spent by renters to create vibrant, wonderful outdoor spaces.
The Victoria in Bloom Gardener of the Year award was presented to Dekoda Bell, a passionate teen gardener from Montrose, who discovered gardening just three years ago.
Dekoda has incorporated hard rubbish items into his garden, recruits his friends to help create new patches, and credits the hobby with keeping him out of trouble.
The other Victoria in Bloom award winners for 2023 are:
- Best Balcony or Container Garden – Neil Arnott from East Bendigo
- Best Small Enclosed Garden – Carolyn Slevin from Norlane
- Best Household Garden – Carina Gemenis & John Wilson from Ringwood East
- Best Edible Garden – Barry Sharp from Traralgon
- Best Sustainable Garden – Nola Nugent from Nunawading
- Best Community or Common Area Garden – Aye Maung Asho from Ferntree Gully
- Best First Year Entered Garden – Campbell Laycock from Hawthorn.
Learn more about the Victoria in Bloom garden competition.