Goldfish pond a winning Waiouru garden feature!

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 677, 11 March 1997, Page 12

Goldfish pond a winning Waiouru garden feature!

This year's winners of the Carriappa Shield, Keith and Sharon Davies of 1 2 Andrews Drive-- have a goldfish pond in their revamped back garden. "It is extremely difficult to grow anything in Waiouru as the extremes of temperature limit the range of plants considerably," commented Mrs Davies. Both she and her husband have been pleased with the effect they have achieved over the past twelve months. The goldfish pond reportedly caused some heated discussion but its placement has finally been recognised as the best Site. They have yet to find out how the goldfish will cope with a Waiouru winter. The shield selection process was carried out on an informal basis by the judges and provided a short list of 61 gardens — three times the usual number. All three judges, Chris Marshall, Maria Collier and padre Julian Wagg, then toured these gardens together in early February, making decisions based on three main features. These included the difficulty of the section, effort and originality, and overall presentation of the garden. On hand to make the presentations, the commander of Army Training Group, Colonel Ian Marshall, was appreciative of the effort made by so many of the families to improve their sections and, ultimateiy, Waiouru. He explained that it was for this very reason that the Carriappa Shield was offered by General Carriappa, back in 1956. On a visit to this country from India, he had been appalled by the barrenness of the camp and had suggested the competition as an incentive for families to improve their surroundings. He said the trees, parks and high standard of the gardens are a tribute to all those who have participated over the last 40 years. Receiving monetary rewards for their efforts were those placed second, Warrant Officer (First Class) and Mrs Hopkinson and third, W02 and Mrs Peretini. With the

standard of the gardens being so high, the judges also * awarded a number of highly commended placings to Pvt and Mrs Mayhew, W02 and Mrs Mathews, Staff Sgt and Mrs Pullen, Sgt and Mrs Tongia, and Sgt and Mrs Foley.