THE diverse nature of the region was captured and celebrated in this year’s record breaking Wattle Range Photographic Competition and Exhibition.
Over 100 people gathered at the Millicent Gallery on Friday night for the official opening of the event, which attracted 444 entries from 74 photographers – the most the competition has attracted since it started 11 years ago.
Wattle Range Council manager of libraries and cultural services Janice Nitschke said she was impressed with the quality and number of entries.
“There are so many great photographs,” she said.
“It has been a real experience actually hanging them and watching how the exhibition has been developing and it makes you proud to be part of the Millicent Gallery and to have such an outstanding exhibition.”
The competition was judged by Ms Nitschke and local professional photographers Steve Chapple and Jacqui Bateman.
The trio were given the tough task of selecting the winning photographs from nine categories, including sport and leisure, business and industry, people and portrait, black and white, nature, panoramic, landscape, Lake McIntyre and youth.
Mr Chapple commended all of the photographers who entered the competition, as well as acknowledging the long hours put in by volunteers, WRC and library staff in the lead-up to the event.
“It’s the largest photographic competition of its kind in the region and I dare to say now, of this style, the largest in the state,” he said.
“It is something you as photographers and the local community should be proud of.
“The most important thing I want to say is if you have an image here on the wall, or your children are in an image, or something of yours is in an image, then you have already won.
“If you have been brave enough to put in an image then you are a winner, on behalf of the judges I would just like to thank you … there are 444 images on the wall and not one of them does not deserve to be here.”
In her first year judging the event, Ms Bateman announced the top three place getters, as well as merit award winners and gave insight into why each winning photograph was chosen.
“When I was asked to judge, I jumped at the chance – it is a great opportunity to see the talent around,” she said.
“When I walked in to start the judging, I was blown away by the quality and the number of images hanging up … it was a pretty big task, we were here for around five hours in all.
“It is a top quality lineup of images over various categories and all the entrants are to be commended for their enthusiasm.
“There are a number of emerging talents in the region.”
Despite not capturing a first place image, Furner photographer Mary Whitehead was a big winner on the night as she finished runner-up in almost every single category, including business and leisure, people and portrait, black and white, nature and panoramic.
She also received third place in the panoramic and nature categories.
Millicent’s Kayle Gordon impressed the judges and was the winner of the landscape category for his drone shot “Mount Muir in the Mist”.
Kayle also won the first time entrant award, which was presented to him by Millicent photographer Darren Galway.
Darren’s success continued on from previous years, with his photograph “Percival and Mates” winning the Lake McIntyre category and “Resting” winning people and portrait.
Meanwhile, Graeme Mellor’s image “Salmon Hole” was crowned winner of the panoramic section, Linda Heins’ “Petticoat Lane with a Twist” won black and white, Brian Watson’s “Surf Beach” won sport and leisure, Alex Window’s “Flower” received first place in nature and Alice Phillip’ image “Steaming Sheep” came home with the win in the business and industries category.
WRC mayor Peter Gandolfi presented the mayoral award to Stella Scanlon for her shot “Morning Walk – Summertime at Penola” and Sandy Spink as runner-up with “In for the Day”.
This year the youth category attracted an impressive number of entries with 43 photographs from 19 photographers.
Francis siblings Lilly and Jack shared success in the category and both came home with a first and second placing.
Jack’s photograph “Coonawarra Vineyards” won him the youth award and “Butterfly” received second place in the mayoral youth award, which his sister Lilly won with her image “Playground Fun”.
Lilly also received second place in the youth category with “Looking Up”.
Winners shared in a prize pool of over $3000 and entrants will have their work featured in the 2019 Wattle Range calendar.
The exhibition will be open at the Millicent Gallery until August 12.
