Competitive spirit and judging dedication on show in Leongatha

THE SENTINEL-TIMES chatted to delighted prize winners and enthusiastic trainee judges during Thursday’s visit to the colourful Leongatha Daffodil and Floral Show.

Shirley Turton enjoyed success, including being awarded first place for a container featuring at least six kinds of bulbs.

Her tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulb varieties blended seamlessly.

“I’ve been in the Leongatha Horticultural Society for almost 20 years and I enjoy being with like-minded people; we all love our gardens,” she said.

As well as entering exhibits, Shirley acted as a steward for the show.

“We go around with the judges and tell them how many entries are in each section and put prize cards out,” Shirley explained.

Those wishing to become judges undergo extensive preparation, with Rob Gyles and Jennifer Broughton currently trainee judges.

Jennifer said part of the learning process is attending shows with a qualified judge, with Rob adding that the overall training period involves a two-year course, much of which is now conducted online.

Training is provided through the Horticultural Judges Association in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria.

In Leongatha, Jennifer was assigned the section for native plants while Rob was allocated the category for shrubs and trees.

“They give a certain amount of responsibility and either back you up or they say ‘No, it should be this one,’ but they’re pretty good and they discuss everything with you as you’re going along,” Rob said of the guidance from experienced judges.

While Jennifer said a lot of judging is subjective, she added there is a book of rules that must be followed.

Those keen to become judges need to study the Australian Horticultural Show and Judges Manual thoroughly.

Jennifer said there is no hostility from those who don’t win, only contentious issues, with one of those at another horticultural show centring on whether tomatoes should be in the fruit or vegetable section.

Rob clarified that while tomatoes are a fruit, they go in the vegetable section.

The judges agreed that while people often put extensive effort into their entries they view horticultural competition as fun, with no hostilities arising.

Keen gardener Gary Butler was excited to win a first prize for his Lachenalia Romaud bulb display, attributing the success to his display being “a bit unusual”.

“I’ve swapped from showing horses to flowers,” he said, with that move happening just after the pandemic.

He bought the bulbs online, managing to incorporate 25 to 30 of them in his prize-winning display.

Gary said the bulbs are low maintenance and that he leaves them under pine trees during winter to die down, and they then regrow.

Whether or not you are inclined to get active in the garden, there are plenty of spectacular sights to savour at Leongatha’s long-running homage to daffodils and other joyful blooms.