THE SYDNEY HILLS GARDEN COMPETITION 2026
The 2026 Sydney Hills Garden Competition is up and running
If you are proud of your garden why not enter it in the Sydney Hills Garden Competition. Entry is free and there are Prizes for winners in each category. Alternatively if you know of someone with a great garden why not encourage them to enter.
The competition is part of The Hills Shire's Orange Blossom Festival and is open to gardens in The Hills Shire or in the adjoining parts of the suburbs of North Rocks, Carlingford, Northmead, Winston Hills, Baulkham Hills, West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook, Glenhaven, Dural, Arcadia, Galston or Glenorie. It is a project of the Rotary Club of Hills-Kellyville and receives great support from The Hills Shire Council as well as other sponsors, which is very much appreciated.
There are a number of categories as per the attached entry form ranging from small residential gardens to Commercial, Industrial or Institution gardens and entries are permitted in up to 2 categories. Entry in the competition is free and there will be prizes for winning entries. A new category this year is best lawn of at least 60 square metres, with the Prize generously being sponsored by Green Space Partner.
The entries will be judged by two experienced horticulturalists, who will visit each garden accompanied by a Rotarian and pictures will be taken at each garden, to be shown at the Awards Presentation night on Friday the 16th of October at the Harvey Lowe Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground.
The Awards Presentation night is the culmination of the competition and will commence at 7:00 PM with a photo slide show of the gardens, followed by the Awards ceremony and concluding with a light supper
To enter the competition download the entry form using the link below, complete it and send it in by either mail to 113 Castle Hill Rd., West Pennant Hills, 2125
Entry Form 2026
Entries close on 5PM Friday 25 September 2026 with judging to take place between 28th September and 2nd October. Entrants will be advised on Sunday 27th September of the day the judges will visit their garden.
History of the Garden Competition
The first Garden Competition ran in 1959 as the brainchild of Councillor Eric Mobbs. It became the forerunner of the Orange Blossom Festival, so has a significant place in the cultural history of “The Garden Shire” and continues to be supported by The Hills Shire Council as part of that Festival.
The Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville has had a long association with gardeners in The Hills, having run the Garden Competition since early 2000’s and the Hills Open Gardens. The Club proudly opened a Community Garden in March 2021 to mark the 100th year of Rotary in Australia. The Rotary Club of the Hills-Kellyville established and built this garden for the community in conjunction with the Hills Shire Council. Other works of the Club include local community events and the raising of funds for numerous programs far and wide, from the Hills area to outback Australia to overseas communities with specific needs.
To be part of an inspired group that is making a difference, contact the club through the Club's Facebook page.
mail info@hillsgardencomp.org.au
Telephone Keith Stapley on 0412 079 014
