Community & Business
25 September, 2025
A blooming good week
Carnival of Flowers week began on Saturday with the Grand Parade in Toowoomba, with the Oakey community float catching eyes.
Oakey’s community carnival float was organised by the Oakey Chamber of Commerce in a collaborative effort led by Coops QLD with support from Oakey State High School.
Leading the way in the parade was the Oakey Scouts Group, closely followed by the Academy of Dance - Oakey.
The colourful Sam Kennedy from the Oakey Australia Day Working Committee dressed up in a cow costume, to represent the district’s beef industry.
It’s been a successful week for Oakey in the Carnival, with two Oakey gardens winning ribbons in the Toowoomba Region Carnival Regional Gardens Category.
Gemma Tomkins’ garden at 15 Proposch Street (open to the public only on the weekend) won the First Time Entry First Prize.
Judith Maker-Field’s garden at 123 Bridge Street (open weekend only) took out Regional Large Third Prize, Front Garden Third Prize and Small Space Third Prize.
At Wellcamp, Shirley Mundt’s Back Garden at 101 Wellcamp Westbrook Road (open all days) took out Back Garden Third Prize.
In Highfields, two gardens won awards in the City Gardens Category.
Christine Purchase’s 16/21 Andersson Court residence (weekend only) won the City Small First Prize, and Small Space Second Prize while Ken Ross’ 21 Littleton Drive effort (weekend only) won City Large Third Prize.
Other Highfields entrants in the City Gardens category were Ray Murphy’s garden at 79 Highfields Road (drive by, footpath only) and Dennis and Janet Mitchell’s garden, 6 Hayle Court (weekend only).
Highfields Pioneer Village at 73 Wirraglen Road (open all days) also entered in the Not-for-Profit Category
In the Charity Exhibition Gardens Category, which is open from 9am to 5pm until September 28th, Jill and Rod Osborne of 11 Horizon Court, Highfields have entered, along with Roz and Ken Sketman of 18 Andersson Court, Highfields and Jay and John Newman of 427 Old Goombungee Road, Gowrie Junction.
Entry for one garden is $6 for adults with entry for children free for those high school aged and under.
All proceeds raised from the Exhibition Gardens go to local charities.
