After winning a competition to find the city’s “Gardening Great”, resident Joan Keech features on the front cover of the 2017/18 Yellow Pages and White Pages Bathurst book.

The search for Bathurst’s Gardening Great was launched as a result of the partnership between the Yellow Pages, White Pages and the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network (ACFCGN).

All Bathurst directories will be used to celebrate the achievements of the ACFCGN, which works to promote the benefits of community gardening and urban agriculture.

Ms Keech impressed a panel of judges from the Yellow Pages, White Pages and the ACFCGN after she entered an image of her striking garden along with her creative gardening tip.

She said she was “totally shocked but very excited to accept the title”.

“I have been gardening for about 65 years and have found no better way to relax and be creative, while also contributing to making my community more sustainable and beautiful,” she said.

“I hope my gardening tip will inspire others in the Bathurst region to get out and start a garden of their own.”

Ms Keech’s gardening tip, and the secret to her healthy garden, appears on the inside of the front cover, alongside details of the work the ACFCGN does in the area.

“We are excited to see the nation’s gardening king and queens celebrated on the cover of our directories over the coming months and hope to encourage more Aussies to get their hands dirty and relish the benefits of gardening,” Yellow Pages spokeswoman Erin Williamson said. 

ACFCGN NSW representative Chris Brown said community gardens are a place where “people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can participate, create and learn, contributing to a happier and healthier lifestyle”.

“We are excited by the partnership with the Yellow Pages and White Pages and eager to use this platform to promote the benefits of community gardening and encourage more people to get involved with the network,” he said.

Those wanting to opt out of their 2017/18 Bathurst Yellow Pages and White Pages  delivery can do so at www.directoryselect.com.au