The owners of a six-bedroom home at 3 Obeah Court, Lysterfield, say its garden would cost $1 million to recreate. The property is heading to auction with a $3.59 million reserve. Markus and Susanna Koch bought the home in 2010 for $1.05 million, after learning they were expecting a fourth child. The garden was designed by Scott Wynd, a gold medallist at the Chelsea Flower Show, and took nine months to complete. The Kochs plan to downsize closer to the beach and Brighton Beach Church.
For Small Business Month, three regional enterprises are profiled. In Tenterfield, The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel run a boutique bed and breakfast, wedding venue and garden destination on a historic 1915 timber property. Dorrigo Transit, launched in October 2021, offers shuttles, door-to-door transfers and charters linking the North Coast and New England. At Mullumbimby Showground, a not-for-profit community reserve, markets, hireable halls, camping and the annual agricultural show bring people together.
Wonthaggi volunteer Stella Hitchins has been honoured as a 2026 Community Gem by Jordan Crugnale, State Member for Bass. The award recognises her work at the Wonthaggi Community Harvest Garden, where she has volunteered for 15 years. Hitchins has also distributed food, clothing and household goods to relief centres across the region. Crugnale said Hitchins had left a lasting mark on the community. The Community Gem initiative, now in its seventh year, invites residents to nominate people who show selflessness and generosity.
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A Camden couple is racing to regrow their backyard lawn before their home wedding on 14 November. Denisse Vera and fiance Matt hope a fresh, healthy lawn will also win them the $5000 top prize in the Yates National Gardening League's most improved lawn competition. Construction work and free-range chickens damaged the original grass, and the couple has used lawn dressing and lawn food to help recovery. Ms Vera said they would use any prize money for a belated honeymoon in Santiago, Chile, with their son.
The St George's Flower Show returns to Queenscliff on Saturday 17 October. Held at St George's Old School Hall, it will feature a dog show, a flower competition, Devonshire tea, stalls and a sausage sizzle. Children can paint a flowerpot and take home a packet of seeds. Show coordinator Trish Taylor said the event offers something for everyone. The activities run from 9am to 2pm, alongside a literary festival that is being held at the same time.
