Woman Wins World's Ugliest Lawn Contest

January 20, 2024

The winner of the first World's Ugliest Lawn contest is Kathleen Murray, from Tasmania.

Kathleen Murray / Credit: Gotland.com

This unique competition originated in Gotland, Sweden, two years ago. Gotland, plagued by frequent droughts and water scarcity issues, initiated The World's Ugliest Lawn competition to encourage a shift in the perception of green lawns.

This is the first year the competition went global.

The judging panel was comprised of international jurors who painstakingly deliberated over numerous hideous yet commendable entries before declaring Kathleen the deserving winner. Her lawn beat competition from Germany, France, Canada, the United States and more.

Kathleen proudly claimed the top prize – an exclusive pre-owned t-shirt proclaiming her as the esteemed owner of The World's Ugliest Lawn.

As the triumphant winner, she wholeheartedly embraces her unconventional lawn. "It means that perhaps I no longer need to come up with excuses for the appearance of my lawn," she shared with 7 News.

And by abstaining from the regular practice of cutting and maintaining her lawn, she has transformed her outdoor space into a haven for wildlife

"It brings me a lot of joy to see all the little creatures who now feel safe to come out during the day in my backyard – they've got camouflage, they have happy digging areas," she said. "It really enhances my feeling of inner peace knowing that I'm playing a microscopic part to help other things."

Watch the video below.