Grand champions were Kerrie Gray and Mike Dyson, of Tullamore Rd, Loomberah – who have now taken out the top award three times in the past four years (2011, 2013 and this year).

They also took out the sustainable garden category and best garden one acre and over, and were runners-up in the native garden section.

Their neighbours, Chris and Paul Cox, were runners-up in several sections: champion garden, front garden and best garden one acre and over.

The Tamworth Times advertising manager Joanne Maiden was impressed with the Loomberah entrants.

“There must be something about that hill, because both of those gardens are glorious,” Ms Maiden said.

The competition marked a special anniversary – 25 years – and one of the mainstays in the running of the competition, Larraine Abra, cut the cake.

Mrs Abra said she was very pleased with the number of entries in what has been an extraordinarily dry winter and spring.

“The gardens were beautiful, considering it was so dry,” she said.

Mrs Abra, president of Tamworth & District Garden Club, was impressed with the competition’s longevity and noted the club had been involved the whole way through; it started the competition before The Tamworth Times became the driving force.

“It is a milestone. We’re happy that we’re still involved with it,” she said.

Ms Gray and Mr Dyson won a return airfare for two to Sydney with Qantaslink.

Major sponsor Anthony Heeney, of Tamworth Landscape Supplies, also helped with the judging – and he, too, was impressed.

“It’s been a pleasure. There were some beautiful gardens. Everyone had their own spin, their own style,” he told the assembled crowd.

“Sustainability was a big part of what I could see – there’s a big shift towards it.”

Ms Gray thanked the sponsors including Heemskerk’s Nursery, who supplied iceberg roses to all winners and runners-up.

“It’s nice to get recognised for what you do, even though you don’t seek it,” she said. 

Doss Stewart from Bupa won for best balcony garden.

Judging was on October 13 and 14, with the presentation held yesterday at the chapel in the Tamworth Regional Botanic Gardens.