Victorian Schools Garden Program

Every school a garden, every garden a classroom.

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2026 VSGP Grant Recipients Announced

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The VSGP is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 VSGP Grants.

Demand for this year’s grants remained exceptionally strong, with 815 applications received from 375 schools and kindergartens across Victoria. The high level of interest reflects the growing commitment of educational communities to creating gardens that support learning, wellbeing, sustainability and connection with nature.

The quality of applications was outstanding, making the assessment process highly competitive. We congratulate all successful recipients and look forward to seeing their projects come to life.

The VSGP extends its sincere thanks to the many schools and kindergartens whose applications were unsuccessful this year, for the time and effort invested in developing and submitting their projects. All submissions are a testament to the value placed on garden-based learning throughout Victoria.

We also thank our generous sponsors whose ongoing commitment makes these grants possible and helps schools and kindergartens create inspiring outdoor learning spaces for students.

2026 VSGP Grant Recipients

Strong Demand Continues for School Garden Grants

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This year marks another outstanding chapter for the School Garden Grants program, with schools across Victoria continuing to embrace the power of garden-based learning.

In 2026, we received an impressive 815 grant applications from 374 schools, reflecting the ongoing enthusiasm from educators and school communities to create engaging outdoor learning environments for students.

From vegetable patches and native habitat gardens to sensory spaces and outdoor classrooms, schools are increasingly recognising the important role gardens play in enriching student learning experiences and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

The strong response again this year highlights the need for continued investment in school garden initiatives to help more schools bring these valuable projects to life. Every application represents a school community eager to provide students with opportunities to connect with nature, learn practical skills, and develop environmental awareness.

Judging of the applications is now underway, with successful applicants to be notified in early June.

We would like to thank all schools that submitted applications and commend the incredible passion, creativity, and commitment shown by teachers, parents, and volunteers across the state.

Victorian Students Bring ‘Habitat Farmers’ to Life in Sustainable Scarecrow Competition

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The 2026 Sustainable Scarecrow Competition has highlighted the creativity and environmental awareness of Victorian students, with finalists selected by the Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence MP.

This year, 42 schools and kindergartens took part, embracing the theme ‘Habitat Farmer’, the helpful visitors to the garden protecting the habitats that they live in and teaching others about how to create habitats in and around the garden. Their imaginative, eco-friendly scarecrows were showcased at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, impressing visitors with their innovation and strong sustainability messages.

Winners:

🥇 Grange College – “Native Nat the Bird Friendly Mate” (1st place, $1000 voucher)

Nursery & Garden Industry President, Carl Soderlund and Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.

🥈 Dean Marsh Primary School – “Swampy” (2nd place, $750 voucher)

 

Nursery & Garden Industry President, Carl Soderlund and Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.

🥉 Toorak College Junior School – “Ivy” (3rd place, $500 voucher)

 

Nursery & Garden Industry President, Carl Soderlund and Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.

People’s Choice Winner:   

🥇 Spotswood Primary School – “Lid-ia” 

VSGP Chairman Craig Taberner and Rory Clarke, Landscape Designer – Urban Discovery

2026 Grants Program – APPLY NOW

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The VSGP Grants Program encourages schools to start new gardens or repair existing gardens by providing funding through nursery vouchers or provision of products to use for school garden projects.

This year there is $60,000 worth of vouchers and products to be distributed through 21 grant categories.

Applications are now open and close on Friday 25 April 2026 at 5 pm.

48th Annual VSGP Awards Celebration

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Today, in the Oak Lawns at the Royal Botanic Gardens, more than 451 students, teachers and parents from 35 Victorian schools, gathered to celebrate school gardening achievements and share the joy of learning through gardens.

The top prize, the Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award went to Montmorency South Primary School, where all 615 students help create and care for gardens spanning a productive, orchard-and-chooks – kitchen garden, bush tucker, native and pollinator plantings, and a bush reserve restoring habitat for local sugar gliders. Students lead the full gardening cycle, with produce feeding into their kitchen garden program and learning from all gardens embedded across the curriculum.

Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award receipts - Montmorency South PS 1
From left:  Emma Katsalidis – teacher & garden guru, Nina Taylor – Parliamentary Secretary of Education, Paul Crowe OAM – VSGP Co-founder and Patron, and Montmorency South Primary School students. 

In a very close second, State Award finalist Wendouree Primary School was recognised for outstanding, student-driven biodiversity work on its Ballarat grounds, including the planting of more than 1,200 native trees, shrubs and grasses and the creation of rich habitat spaces such as wetlands, frog bogs, nature trails and bush tucker gardens. Their work also supports other schools through shared resources and expertise. Third place State Award finalist, Collingwood College, was celebrated for its long-running kitchen garden program, now in its 24th year, continuing to build student leadership, wellbeing and strong curriculum links in a diverse inner-city community.

Nina Taylor – Parliamentary Secretary of Education with State Finalist, Wendouree Primary School students. 
Nina Taylor – Parliamentary Secretary of Education with State Finalist, Collingwood College.

The VSGP is proud of every school that entered this year’s Awards and encouraged by the growing recognition of gardens as powerful spaces for learning, health and wellbeing. We invite all schools in 2026 to consider starting or expanding a garden project: even the smallest patch can make a big difference.

Finally, the VSGP sincerely thanks our 2025 sponsors for their generous support, helping inspire the next generation of gardeners and enabling schools to grow, learn and thrive through their garden programs.

Click here to see 2025 VSGP Award Results

Contact us

Tania Karamitos
Program Co-ordinator
Victorian Schools Garden Awards
Phone: 03 9576 0599
Fax: 03 9576 0431
Email: vsgp@ngiv.com.au