Award Entry Date
Award entries open on Monday 10 August and close on Friday 11 September at 5pm.
Award categories are announced on Monday 2 March to allow schools to target their garden projects on their chosen award categories.
We recommend that entrants draft their Award entry responses in the Word document template, then copy and paste them into the online application once the program launches.
Award Entry Template draft copies.
Award Prize Structure Change
Last year, the award prize structure has been revised. Instead of allocating one award per school category, prizes will now be awarded to the top three highest-scoring schools or kindergartens. A first, second, and third prize will be given to ensure that the top-scoring entries receive recognition.
Award Categories with Nursery Vouchers
All nursery voucher prizes can be redeemed at a retail nursery/business which is a member of Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria (NGIV) and must be used before the expiry date. A list of retailers will be provided with the voucher.
Best Edible Garden
Produce (vegetable, fruit, herb & bush tucker) gardens in which students are involved in planning, growing, preparing, consuming, or serving the products in their school and/or wider community.
Vouchers will be awarded to the value of $1200 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd place and $800 for 3rd place.
Sponsored by
Best Habitat School Garden
A biodiverse landscape that provides substance and/or replenishes resources for wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
Vouchers will be awarded to the value of $1200 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd place and $800 for 3rd place.
Sponsored by
Best Use of a Grant
Garden project results from VSGP Grants received in 2025 & 2026.
A different criteria and presentation are required from other Award categories, please click here to view Best Use of a Grant Award template.
$1000 x 1 award – Kindergartens may enter this category.
Sponsored by
Greatest Improvement of School’s Green Space
Improvements and/or increase to a school’s yard environment by enhancing its green space.
Vouchers will be awarded to the value of $1200 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd place and $800 for 3rd place.
Sponsored by
Most Engaging Garden for Play
Demonstration of student’s engagement and enjoyment of the school’s garden and green spaces for lunchtime activities and/or play.
Vouchers will be awarded to the value of $1200 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd place and $800 for 3rd place.
Sponsored by
Most Engaging Student Garden for Learning
Demonstration of student’s engagement and participation in a garden for well-being learning.
Vouchers will be awarded to the value of $1200 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd place and $800 for 3rd place.
Sponsored by
PP5 Recycling Champion
This category has a different entry date from the other Awards. It opens on 10 March and closes on 30 October 2026.
Schools, kindergartens and their communities are invited to collect PP5 plastics including plant pots, trays and labels to deposit at participating retail nurseries to assist in the closing the plastic packaging loop by turning old pots & labels into new flowerpots.
How to Enter
Each time you drop off a collection, send an email to pp5champion@gardencityplastics.com with:
- An image of the pots being dropped off at one of our collection centres
- The school name and suburb in the subject line
Vouchers to the value of $600, $350 & $250 vouchers will be awarded to the top 3 collecting schools to spend at their deposit nursery. Kindergartens may enter this category.
For more information on what to collect and where to deposit your school’s PP5 collected, go to www.pp5.com.au.
Sponsored by
Award Categories with a Product Prize
All product Awards require the winning school to provide 3 photos of their prize to the VSGP for promotional use in an article – a photo of the school prior or receiving the product, one of the installation/use by students and one after its inclusion.
Australian Growing Solutions Award – Garden Compost Package prize
A compost mix for vegetables gardens (4-6 cubic metres). Provider to discuss individual requirements with the winning school.
Including delivery valued at $2000.
Sponsored by
Fleming’s Nurseries Award – Orchard Prize
The winning school will receive an orchard to the value of $1500 including delivery.
Sponsored by
Foodcube Award
The winning school will receive 4 Foodcubes to grow your own food and receive 22 x 30L bags of BioGro wicking mix valued at $1500.
Prize includes delivery to metro Melbourne only or collection from Carrum Downs.
Sponsored by
Plantfulness Most Engaging School Community Garden Award
A package of garden products and tools for school/kinder garden. Valued at $1,000 including delivery.
Package includes: Wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, gloves, hand tools (forks, trowels, scoop), gardening pop-up bags, bird netting, retractable hose, leaf scoops and cultihoe.
Sponsored by
RB Landscapes Award – Garden Design and Consultation Prize
A concept design and plan for a school that has demonstrated a beginning of garden development with a desire to continue and expand work of their school grounds into the future.
Value of $5000.
Sponsored by
Turf Victoria Award – Turf Package Prize
Preparation and installation of the turf will be the responsibility of the school with guidance from the turf provider. Delivery and consultation costs are included.
Winning school will receive a package of 300 square metres of Kikuyu grass valued at $4500.
Sponsored by
Regional Awards
All Award entries (with the exception of the P55 Recycling Champion Award and Best Use of a Grant Award) will automatically be entered into the Regional Awards from which the State Award and Kevin Heinze Perpetual Awards winners are chosen.
24 Regional awards – top 3 places per 8 school regions.
- First place $400
- 2nd place $350
- 3rd place $300
State Awards & Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award
Top 3 schools from regional award winners.
- First place & Kevin Heinze Perpetual prize winner $2,500
- 2nd place $2,000
- 3rd place $1,500