Moora Shire staff and councillors presented awards to the winners of this year’s District Tidy Town competition recently.

Organising the awards presentation to coincide with council’s monthly meeting, which was held in Watheroo, was an ideal opportunity for councillors and staff to meet the award recipients and share afternoon tea with them.

The official judging took place on September 22 with a bus tour around the district with volunteer judges Germaine Seymour, Attila Menschelyi, Irene Moore, Bev French, Pam Duffield, Angela Keamy, Cathrine Collins and Elma Steel led by shire community relations officer and event co-ordinator Rebecca Kelly.

Committee members Lyn Barber and Melanie Sutherland, who usually assist with the judging, were unable to attend on the day.

“The overall winners of each category were worthy and generally highly appreciated by all judges,” Ms Kelly said.

“However, there was a noticeable change in some of the gardens this year with the amount of increased weeds, in comparison to the many dry and suffering gardens that we have seen in previous years.

“Helen Pickford and Attila Menschelyi from the Department of Housing in Northam invested time supporting the shire and community of Moora with the event again this year and I genuinely feel that the internal advertising and prior time-investment from Helen has been integral in maintaining and improving the Department’s housing.

“I look forward to continuing this relationship with Helen, Attila and the staff at the Department of Housing in future years.

“These community events are not possible without the involvement and participation from our invaluable volunteer bus drivers Gary Lamb and Murray Matthews who contributed their time free of charge to assist the Moor Districts Tidy Towns Committee.

“We have had excellent sponsorship and community support this year with great results.”

The winners of each category for the 2009 competition:

Best Private Residential Garden Wilma and Norman Burnett

Most Improved Garden Peter and Diane Watts

Best Waterwise Residential Garden Brian and Ann Watson

Best GROH Residential Garden Cathrine and Harley Collins

Best Homeswest Residential Garden Anita Ryder

Best Business and Shop Fronts Moora Bed and Breakfast

Best Government and Local Government Building Moora District Hospital

Best Street Presentation Main Street Miling

Best Educational Institution Miling Primary School