Robin Price’s idea was a tomato growing competition – and the winner was the person who, by whatever means they wanted, grew their own tomato to the stage where it was ripe and ready to be picked.

In previous years, it was just Mr price and three mates from the Rotary Club of Bathurst East who competed for top honours in growing tomatoes, but this year they threw it open to the public and the results were astounding.

“Sixty-eight people joined in. The more people I asked, the more people who joined, I was staggered,” Mr Price said.

Entrants were not allowed to pick the tomato themselves, and had to call in a judge if they thought it was ready to be picked.

“It had to be red enough for someone to agree it’s ripe and ready to pick,” Mr Price said.

The inaugural winner was Alan Petersen who scored a $2 lottery ticket for his efforts.

His secrets to an early tomato were sunshine, no frost and a bit of cow manure, and did admit the city’s weather was always a challenge.

“It’s very hard to grow an early tomato [in Bathurst] because you never know when you’re going to get a frost,” he said.

All funds raised through the $5 entry fee were donated to Daffodil Cottage.

The competition raised $340 which was added to by the Rotary Club of Bathurst East for a total donation to the Daffodil Cottage of $700.