How big can a frontyard peach really get?
Big enough to turn heads in Canning Vale.
A single peach drew a small crowd on Tuesday afternoon in Canning Vale, not for how it tasted, but for how big it had grown.
Measuring 57.95mm in height, 103.95mm in diameter, with a circumference of 33.6cm and weighing 358 grams, the homegrown fruit is now being put forward as a potential Australian record.
Shirley Khor, the grower behind it, said the moment was unexpected.
“I love growing fruit trees. I’m a bit of an addict, as you can see,” she said, standing in her front garden filled with a mix of peaches, nectarines, blueberries and more.
What started as a way to feed her family turned into something more.
“One of the reasons that I really focus on growing fruit trees is because my daughter loves eating fruit, so I would like her to eat healthy,” she said.
“This year, she literally just picks a peach and bring it to school for lunch, so we don’t need to buy any stone fruits at all.”
Shirley has been growing fruits for over a decade, but peaches are relatively new, just six years in. Still, she had never seen anything like this.
“Two months ago, I saw that some of the peaches are a little bit bigger than usual, but I didn’t really give it much of a thought,” she said.
That changed after a moment of curiosity.
“I was scrolling online and I saw the Australian Book of Records… I decided to contact them, and they said, just do it.”
She noted it was a bit last minute “because the fruits are perishable.”
“I was very worried. Every day I look at it… when it’s too mature, it might fall off.”
To protect it, she netted the tree, but even that wasn’t a guarantee as she added that “it depends on the water intake, the weather condition and the fruit itself.”
Despite the uncertainty, the peach held on long enough for the official process; picked, measured and documented in front of witnesses.
Among them was Southern River MLA Terry Healy, who described the moment as something worth celebrating.
“I thought it was a good time… we’re very proud in Canning Vale of all the things that we produce, and it’s good to celebrate our produce,” he said.
He said the effort also highlighted what people can do with the space they have.
Mr Healy stated, “This is a family who have done really great utilising their verge space”, adding that “In these times… for cost of living, she’s actually making me reconsider whether I should have a veggie garden on my verge.”
For Mr Healy, this is a first.
“I have never seen this… this is my first peach judging,” he said.
City of Gosnells Deputy Mayor Serena Williamson, who also attended, said the attempt showed what was possible locally.
“I think it’s pretty amazing to show what you can do in our local area,” she said. “Growing a giant peach is pretty special.”
She added it could inspire others.
“I think it shows how achievable it is to do amazing things… how as a community, we can learn from each other.”
As for Shirley, the focus now is what comes next?
She will submit photos, videos and signed witness statements to the Australian Book of Records for verification.
If confirmed, her backyard peach could soon hold a national title.
