And the winners are

Cairns Regional Council have presented awards tonight for the best gardens.

70 gardens entered this year in 21 categories, with Julie Roach, a horticulturalist with Townsville City Council as this year's judge.

“All gardens were judged on the efficient use of water as a fundamental aspect, with water saving technologies and the reduction of evaporation through use of mulch and shade high priorities,” Mayor Schier said at tonight's function.

“Council is proud of the area’s natural environment and private and public gardens are a big part of the regional beauty and preservation.”

SO, without further ado, here's the winners of the Cairns Regional Council Garden Awards for 2009:

• Residential Categories
  
  Home Garden (large) over 500²m
  1st Place: Robyn & Larry Butler, 129 Upham Rd., Miriwinni
  2nd Place: Richard and Michelle Bond, 3 Amos Crt. Redlynch
  Incentive: John & Alice Gray, 11 Whynabeel Road, Miallo
  
  Home Garden (small) under 500²m
  1st Place: Corey Frahn, 26 Johnston Rd., Mossman
  2nd Place: Bev Reaston, 9 Monica Cl., Holloways Beach
  2nd Place : Michelle Cooke, 54 Booyong Dr., Mt Sheridan
  
  New Home Garden
  1st Place: Michelle Cooke, 54 Booyong Dr., Mt Sheridan
  2nd Place: Richard & Anne-Maree Lindeman, 11 Fireclay Close
  Incentive: Lin & Ron Hill, 9 Monterey St., Kewarra Beach
  
  Front Garden
  1st Place: Bev Reaston, 9 Monica Cl., Holloways Beach
  2nd Place: Anna& Stephen Billingham, 10 Read Peak Blvd., Caravonica
  Incentive: Robert & Joanne Lamprey, 7 Gallery Drive, Forest Gardens
  
  Native Garden
  1st Place: Jennifer Lawton & David Johnson, 54 -56 Chatham Tce., Smithfield
  Incentive: Marta Munoz, 12 Canecutter Rd, Edmonton
  
  Outdoor Living Area
  1st Place: Corey Frahn, 26 Johnston Rd., Mossman
  2nd Place: Carmel Peaty, 86 King St., Gordonvale
  Incentive: Rita & Joe Vasconcelos, 6 Eden Crt., Clifton Beach
  
  Pensioners & Seniors Garden (Large) [large garden, not pensioner. -ed]
  1st Place: Eva Lancini, 3 Tallow Wood Cl., Redlynch
  2nd Place: Eva & Frank Batowski, Lot 125 Windlass St, Goldsborough
  Incentive: Beryl Watson, 22 Portsea Cst., Kewarra Beach
  
  Pensioners & Seniors Garden (Small)
  1st Place: Bev Reaston, 9 Monica Cl., Holloways Beach
  2nd Place: Jack Hallas, 30 Monterey St., Kewarra Beach
  Incentive: Julie Martin, 7/63 Pease St., Manoora
  Incentive: Lyn Thomas Hale, 17/24 Suhle St., Edmonton
  
  Unit/Balcony Garden
  1st Place: Jennette Anderson, Unit 1, 1 – 9 Jones St., Bungalow
  2nd Place: Bernie Bergin, Unit 46/28C Grove St., Parramatta Park
  Incentive: Lesley Waynes, 3/201 McCormack St., Cairns
  
  Vegetable/Herb Garden
  1st Place: Carmel Peaty, 86 King St., Gordonvale
  2nd Place: Eva & Frank Bastowski, Lot 125 Windlass St., Goldsborough
  
  Waterwise (Residential)
  1st Place: Eva & Frank Basatowski
  
  Judges Choice
  Bev Reaston, 9 Monica Cl., Holloways Beach
  
  
• Non Residential Categories
  
  Tourist Accommodation 4 Star & Over
  1st Place: Sanctuary Palm Cove
  2nd Place: The Lakes resort & Spa
  Incentive: Shawtara Resort
  
  Tourist Accommodation Under 4 Star
  1st Place: Cairns Colonial Club
  2nd Place: Daintree Rainforest Resort
  Incentive:
  
  School Grounds
  1st Place: Hambledon State School
  2nd Place: Trinity Anglican School (White Rock)
  Incentive: Trinity Anglican School (Kewarra Beach)
  
  Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes
  1st Prize: Morinda
  
  Retirement Villages
  1st Place: Aveo The Parks Retirement Village
  2nd Place: Heritage Gardens Retirement Village
  Incentive: Woodward Retirement Village
  
  Caravan/Camping Grounds
  1st Place: Fishery Falls Holiday Park
  
  Commercial Premises
  1st Place: Cairns Tropical Zoo
  2nd Place: Santai (Units)
  Incentive: Seclusions
  
  Community Garden
  1st Place: Woodward Retirement Village
  2nd Place: St Johns Lifestyle Care
  Incentive: St Mary’s By The Sea
  
  Waterwise Garden (non-residential)
  Cairns Tropical Zoo