Awards 2014

Ms Sue Dibbs - Fannie Bay NT 

Sue has many talents but it would be fair to say that her most enthusiastic interest is in gardening. Sue Has been the NT Coordinator of the Australian Open Garden Scheme NT Division for more than 8 years. In order to gather the support of Darwin and the Rural area's home owners and their wonderful gardens, Sue has had to engage and encourage gardeners to share the beauty of their gardens for the public to visit and enjoy and she has achieved this magnificently.

Sue's efforts in establishing and coordinating this wonderful 'dry season' program, has been almost entirely voluntary. She organises a committee, sets up meetings, manages support with the gardeners, providing them with literature, advice on opening their gates, organises media interviews, produces promotions, prints programs for each exhibitor, distributes flyers, arranges the annual opening of the Australian Open Garden Scheme at Government House, and then sits at the gates of the many garden owners, welcoming the public and informing them of what they will see. At Sue's suggestion, gardeners also choose a wide selection of plants from their gardens for sale, the proceeds of which, along with the entrance fees are delivered to a local charity of the gardeners' choice.

Sue's obvious dedication to the scheme has cultivated an amazing level of community support from many thousands of Darwin, Palmerston and Rural residents.

Sue is a wonderful example of a Senior Of Excellence Awards Recipient.