A Green Sweep of Awards at MIFGS 2024

A Green Sweep of Awards at the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Mar 22 2024

Leigh Hudson stands in a garden that features wooden decor, banksias, and other native plants. He wears a white t-shirt beneath a pale green shirt. — Leigh J Hudson - Winner of the Achievable Gardens Gold Award and the Creative Space Award.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show displays Australia's finest in the world of horticulture against the stunning backdrop of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building. This prestigious event attracts top landscape and floristry designers from around the world, making it a must-see for garden enthusiasts.

Once again, students from Melbourne Polytechnic proved their prowess in the field with many students winning trophies across every category that they entered.

Achievable Gardens Winners

Now in its 17th iteration, the Challenger Achievable Gardens competition provides students and educational institutions a platform to show their design acumen, horticultural ability and promote sustainable gardening practices for our Australian climate.

This competition serves as an invaluable learning experience for students, guiding them through the entire process from concept and project coordination to the creation of show gardens. It is an opportunity which offers unparalleled insight into the horticultural industry and a platform for emerging student talent to display their work.

Leigh J Hudson won two awards for his design, ’Ever-Growing Gardens’ - the Gold Award and the Creative Space Award.

Leigh Hudson's design, 'Ever-Growing Gardens': A cozy outdoor fireplace surrounded by logs and plants.

Justin Rhodes secured the Bronze Award with 'Urban Harvest'.

Justin Rhodes in a green t-shirt standing in front of their garden design, surrounded by colorful flowers and lush greenery.

Justin Rhodes - Achievable Gardens Bronze Award Winner

Jamie Greentree received the Participation Award with 'Permeable Paradise'.

Jamie Greentree's 'Permeable Paradise' garden: Jamie, wearing a green vest and white t-shirt, crouches amidst lush plants and a neatly arranged garden bed in his design.

Jamie Greentree - Achievable Gardens Participation Award Winner

Visitors to the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show can vote for Leigh, Justin, and Jamie’s designs in the Achievable Gardens People's Choice Award. Cast your vote before Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 PM.

Hanging Basket Competition Winners

The Hanging Basket Competition encourages variety, creativity and provides a blank canvas to all participants. The focus is on participants having fun and challenging themselves to create a design that is limited only by its suitability to grow in a hanging basket.

'Mountain Landscape', crafted by Seb Ryder claimed the First Place in the Hanging Basket Competition.

Seb Ryder's design,'Mountain Landscape': a lush hanging basket overflowing with vibrant plants and foliage.

Seb Ryder - Hanging Basket Competition Winning Entry 'Mountain Landscape'

Third Place went to ‘The Gin Garden’ designed by Belinda Gibson.

An image of 'The Gin Garden' by Belinda Gibson, featuring a captivating arrangement of plants in interconnected hanging baskets.

Belinda Gibson - Hanging Basket Competition Third Place Winner 'The Gin Garden'

Floristry Winners

Indoors, the historic Royal Exhibition Building transforms into the Great Hall of Flowers, adorned with breathtaking displays from Australia's foremost floral artisans and emerging talent.

In the Chrysco Advanced Student Competition, Monique Kane won First Place, while Chantal Williams secured Second Place in the Chrysco Intermediate Student Competition.

Monique Kane, the First Prize Winner of the Chrysco Advanced Floristry Competition, stands proudly next to a flower display, showcasing her trophy and stunning plant arrangements.

Monique Kane - Chrysco Advanced Floristry Competition First Prize Winner

Chantal Williams, Second Prize Winner of Chrysco Intermediate Floristry Competition, in a pink dress holding an award with her floral design on display.

Chantal Williams - Chrysco Intermediate Floristry Competition Second Prize Winner

Jasmine Woodward won Third Place in the Open Floral Competition.

Jasmine Woodward, Open Floral Competition Third Prize Winner, proudly showcases her floral design and trophy.

Jasmine Woodward - Open Floral Competition Third Prize Winner

The triumph of Melbourne Polytechnic's students at the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show underscores the dedication and hard work invested by many people – the talented students, our dedicated staff, and Melbourne Polytechnic's supportive industry partners

From researching the latest trends and techniques to sourcing sustainable materials and plants, every aspect was meticulously curated and executed to deliver exceptional results.

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in this year's Show!