FROM the serenity of our beaches through to the faces of local legends, the images in this year’s Wattle Range Photographic Exhibition and Competition captured some of the region’s best kept secrets.
Over 150 people flocked to the Millicent Gallery on Friday night to celebrate the impressive work of 57 professional and amateur photographers from Millicent and surrounding districts.
Judges were given the tough task of selecting the winners with around 372 photographs submitted across 10 categories.
Wattle Range Libraries manager Janice Nitschke praised the quality of images entered and said the most encouraging part of the competition was the growing number of new photographers entering each year.
“Many of the photographers who continue to submit their work have been mentoring new photographers, which is reflected in this exhibition,” she said.
“I think perhaps for the first time a number of the winners are quite new to the competition.
“The part I really enjoy is the growth in the photographers, not necessarily the number of entrants, but their skills and expertise.”
Although this was her first year entering the competition, Glencoe’s Mia Bellinger, 15, stole the show and took home a number of awards including the prestigious Mayoral Award.
The 15-year-old also received first place in the youth category and a second in people and portrait.
Kalangadoo’s Reece Carlson also had a taste of success when his image “Bowman Scenic Drive” received first place in the landscape category and “Coonawarra Vineyards” was crowned the winner of the business and industry award.
Another photographer who took out two categories was first time entrant Millicent’s Dani Bell, impressing judges in people and portrait and Lake McIntyre categories with her images “Turf Farmer” and the “Royal Spoon”.
Natalie Fox and Mary Whitehead shared the success in the black and white category as judges found it difficult to separate the two.
Natalie’s winning image “Traffic School Vintage Bike” included her daughters and Mary’s “Millicent Legend” featured Herb Henderson and his wife Ruth.
Other winners were Perrie Thomas’ “Lands end – Beachport”, Melanie Halton’s “Swim between the Flags”, “Wren on the Wire” by Simon Whennan and Graeme Mellor’s aquatic-themed “Summer Retreat”.
Sophie Clifton’s “Barrel of Fun” was awarded junior mayoral award and Carol Ansink’s “Breath of Life” was recognised as the first time entrant.
