Western Australian landscaping display wins prestigious international award (with pic)

23/03/00
A Western Australian landscaping display, featuring a stunning range of local flora and uniquely-Australian artefacts, has won three gold medals at the prestigious Japan Flora 2000 gardening and landscaping competition at Awaji Island near Osaka.
Premier Richard Court said he was very proud to announce today that the Western Australian display received the top honours ahead of 77 other countries or States.

The State won gold for best garden design, best floral display and the best perennial plant (varieties of Kangaroo Paw). The display also received the Honour Award for the best international outdoor exhibit, and five silver medals and nine bronze in various award sub-categories.
"These results are outstanding and a real credit to the WA Botanic Garden and Parks Authority, which managed the project, and the many private sector groups which helped put the display together," he said.
"Since opening last Thursday, 40,000 people are visiting the exhibition each day, and more than five million people are expected to visit over the next six months, giving WA very significant exposure in this tourist market."

The display represents a Pilbara/Kimberley landscape, incorporating three Boab trees as the dominant feature. This is accompanied by flora from the South-West, which is changed regularly to maintain colour, and a collection of traditional outback artefacts, including water storage tanks, cattle drinking troughs and hand hewn timber post and rail fencing in WA hardwoods.
Designed by staff at Kings Park and the Botanic Garden Authority, and landscape architect David Smith of Plan E, the display is also supported by Argyle Diamonds, Centurion Transport, the Giga people, Midland Brick, Nungarin Military and Agricultural Equipment Museum and Sadliers International.

WA is the only Australian State participating in the Japan Flora exhibition, which celebrates the opening of the Awaji Island World Park, and the half-way point of the multi-billion dollar restoration of the Prefecture of Hyogo following the devastating effects of the Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) earthquake in 1995.

WA has a Sister-State relationship with the Hyogo Prefecture.
Media contact: Justine Whittome (08) 9222 9475

This part of the display features northern Western Australian and desert flora - as well as the remnants of a 1927 Ford Chevrolet as an image of exploration in the early 1900s.

The front garden bed won a Gold Medal for the outstanding display of kangaroo paws. The sign featured signifcant attractions in Western Australia.