Donalda Dawes admires her award-winning Doveton garden.
DOVETON resident Donalda Dawes needed to be persuaded to enter her garden in a local competition, but the 74-year-old is glad she did.
Ms Dawes was judged to have the best spring garden in the inaugural Doveton and Eumemmerring Garden Competition and was thrilled with the result.
The event, organised by the Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal Housing Action Group, received more than 20 entries and was a highlight for the local community.
Other winners included Valda Addison in the tidiest garden category and Melissa Suppa who took out first place with her most improved garden.
All winners received Bunnings vouchers for their efforts.
Project officer Dina Jaballah said local residents packed the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre to hear the top-three in each category announced.
“There was entertainment, lots of food, an inspiring eco-focussed talk by the president of the Friends of Eumemmerring Creek and a presentation of the Eumemmerring Creek master plan from the City of Casey,” Ms Jaballah said.
Mr Dawes said they had been at their Banskia Street house for more than 10 years and had turned the old housing commission property into a country cottage.
“We took it from nothing and made a range of improvements,” Mr Dawes said.
However, he gave all the credit for the immaculate looking garden to his wife.
“She really lives for her gardening. She loves it.”
He said Ms Dawes was reluctant to enter the garden in the competition but was talked into it by the many neighbours who regularly admire the front yard while walking.
“The garden has a little bit of everything,” he said.
