Rachelle Gilchrist, 5, from Wooroonden, created this artwork in the interactive art area set up in Gallery 3 … and was keen for it to get some wall space at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery!

April 9, 2026

Wondai’s Autumn Garden Expo is on this weekend, so it’s time again for the Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s now-traditional Garden Expo Art Competition.

The winners in senior and junior categories were announced on opening night, which was shifted to the first Thursday of the month because of Easter.

The junior categories were well-supported, attracting entries from many well-known local young artists who have been nurtured over the years at various Wondai gallery activities.

Winner of the $600 first prize in the Adult category was Hanna Wood, who unfortunately could not be present on opening night.

Judge Pat Van Kempen praised the work, “I Can Buy Myself Flowers”, for its use of colours “especially the tones and hues of green, and movement”.

Prizes were presented by Wondai Garden Expo committee president Damion Biltoft.

The weekend-long Wondai Autumn Garden Expo will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Wondai Showgrounds in Kent Street, Wondai (NB. Note the change of venue!).

Saturday’s opening hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm, while Sunday will be from 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Admission is $5 per day or a two-day pass for $8 (under 15s free).

The Wondai Regional Art Gallery exhibition will remain open until 3:00pm on April 25.

The gallery is open from 10:00am to 3:00pm, seven days a week. Entry is free.

In the chair on opening night for the first time … well-known Murgon artist Maureen Irving has taken over from Elaine Madill as president of the Wondai Regional Art Galley; Elaine retired as president at the last AGM of the association but has remained on the committee
Eboni Quirke’s “Straight From The Garden” multi-media work depicting bees, honeycomb and honey was voted the People’s Choice winner on the evening
Diane Moore, from Wondai, with pianist for the night, Graham Mitchell, from Clouds End Farm
Lyn and Bob Felsman, from Kingaroy, with Lyn’s entry in the competition, “Country Cottage & Garden”, a memory of the former Artist’s Cottage complex opposite Kingaroy Airport
Gallery volunteers Hec Dionysius, Leigh Moore and Karen Chambers with Cain Chambers, at back
April, Gemma and Eboni Quirke were making their own art in the interactive art area set up in Gallery 3
Ben Parker, from the Gold Coast, with Wondai Gallery patron, Cr Ros Heit
Wondai Garden Expo Committee president Damion Biltoft with his wife and committee secretary Jodi
Val Parker, from Wondai, with Elaine Madill who was enjoying her first opening night without having to worry about being gallery president
Cr Ros Heit, Sean Nicholson, Mayor Kathy Duff, Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur Zala and his son Diya

* * *

Garden Expo Art Competition Winners

Well-known South Burnett artist and art teacher Pat van Kempen judged the competition entries.

Adult:

  • 1st. Hanna Wood – “I Can Buy Myself Flowers”  ($600 prize)
  • 2nd. Kate Rouse – “Growth” ($300 prize)
  • 3rd. Maureen Irving – “Grandpa Gardening” ($200 prize)
  • Highly Commended – Tania Rae Corbet – “Happiness”

4 to 6 Years:

  • 1st. Diya Zala – “Mango & Me”
  • 2nd. Theo Ledger – “Home Garden”
  • 3rd. Rachelle Gilchrist – “Flower”

7 to 12 Years:

  • 1st. Gemma Quirke – “Hanging Flowers”
  • 2nd. April Quirke – “Morpho Butterfly”
  • 3rd. Parker Koy – “My Garden”

13 to 17 Years:

  • 1st. Eboni Quirke – “Straight From The Garden”
  • 2nd. Eboni Quirke – “Creatures Of The Natural World”

Prizes and certificates were presented to the winners by Wondai Garden Expo committee president Damion Biltoft.

4 to 6 Years winner Diya Zala with Damion Biltoft

Theo Ledger … 4 to 6 Years 2nd prize

Rachelle Gilchrist … 4 to 6 Years 3rd prize

Gemma Quirke … 7 to 12 Years 1st prize

April Quirke … 7 to 12 Years 2nd prize

Parker Koy … 7 to 12 Years 3rd prize

Eboni Quirke … 13 to 17 Years 1st & 2nd prizes

Hanna Wood’s winning artwork, “I Can Buy Myself Flowers”
The 4-7 year winners – Theo Ledger, Diya Zala and Rachelle Gilchrist – were also presented with art kits by gallery president Maureen Irving, Cr Ros Heit and Damion Biltoft

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