Sunraysia's first Nature Strip Showdown winners have been crowned, showcasing some of best nature strips in our region while illustrating the pride residents take in their gardens.
Mildura Rural City Council earlier this year put the call out for residents to enter the inaugural competition, providing a fun way to get recognition for the hard work and time they put into their nature strips.
It was also an opportunity to enter into friendly competition with other 'green thumbs' and the chance to win prizes valued at $500.
More than 25 residents throughout the district entered the competition to find the best grassed, best landscaped and best make-over/new subdivision nature strip.
Entries were judged by well-known community garden and tree-planting group Greening Mildura, whose members travelled across the region to select our three inaugural winners:
Best grassed
Paul Mahoney
Best landscaped
Bronwyn Taylor
Best make-over/new subdivision
Sam Iamarino
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood congratulated everyone who entered this year's competition.
"It was great to see the amazing nature strips in our residential streets, and the lengths our community go to keeping their gardens so meticulously-maintained," Cr Wood said.
"It really does show the pride our community take in the appearance of their homes and where they live, which doesn't go unnoticed, whether it's by locals or visitors.
"And based on this year's entries, it also shows there are so many ways to look after your nature strips, such as avoiding parking cars on them, or planting low-growing, hardy and drought-resistant plants, which are perfect for our climate."
Greening Mildura's April Fuda said her team had a difficult task given the quality of entries.
"The quality of entries was very high which made judging difficult, but it was wonderful to see the time and dedication residents put into their nature strips for this competition," Ms Fuda said.
"It was also heart-warming to hear how proud our winners were about their efforts to keep their nature strips looking good.
"By taking pride in their nature strips and looking after them residents are not only adding value to their homes, they're contributing to the overall aesthetic of our streets. This in turn increases the general feeling of wellbeing in our community."
Winners from each category received a $500 Mildura City Heart gift card for their efforts, and bragging rights for the next 12 months.
The Nature Strip Showdown, which is an annual event, will return in 2025.
Quotes from category winners
Best grassed - Paul Mahoney (Mildura)
"We've only been on this property for four or five years, and when we first bought the house there was no lawn on the nature strip at all, it was just dirt.
"We had to put a lot of time into it early on to get it to where it is. Now, it's really just maintaining it, but some still call me a bit of a fanatic, as I have been known to mow the lawns twice a week, but I'm happy to put the time into it, gives you a sense of pride.
"We like to keep it neat and tidy, and everyone else in our street does as well, so it's a bit of competition among neighbours."
Best landscaped - Bronwyn Taylor (Red Cliffs)
"When I moved to this new estate in Red Cliffs in 2011, my plan was to create bird-friendly gardens around my home with the nature strip forming an important element.
"It was hard work initially with heavily compacted soil requiring me to use a crowbar to break up the ground for every planting.
"Now it's more like a labour of love with the two flowering eucalyptus providing nectar and shelter for a variety of birds, and shade for everyone. The manual gardening routine helps to keep me fit and should still be manageable for me as I age. It's so very satisfying to see it all looking tidy and attractive."
Best make-over/new subdivison - Sam Iamarino (Mildura)
"When construction of our new office at 158 Seventh Street was completed, it seemed appropriate to make the outside surrounds of the building look as good and appealing as the inside.
"I know absolutely nothing about gardening, but my wife, Elvira, has a vast knowledge of ornamental trees, plants and shrubs. It was a no-brainer therefore that she would take over both the external and nature strip office landscaping projects.
"The nature strip project involved the creation of beds around the established palm trees with plants that are easy to grow and low maintenance such as Agave Attenuata and Green Purple Rose succulents and Silver Bush ground covers.
"Kikuyu roll out turf and an automatic sprinkler system finished off the project."I am very proud of the result. Many people have commented on how good it looks."
