Wattle Range Council are celebrating yet another successful Wattle Range Photographic Competition with a record 635 photographs. This included 125 entries in the Youth section which was divided into Junior and Senior categories.
The competition continues to evolve, with entrants producing outstanding and innovative photography of an exceptionally high standard.
The Business and Industry category was won by Naracoorte photographer Diana Vine with her image Owner of Weldz and Wood, featuring local identity Toni Greenwood. The judges described the photograph as vibrant and engaging, successfully capturing industry in action.
The People and Portrait category featured a range of engaging and delightful images. Penola resident Angela Winter won the section with Farm Kid, a charming portrait of a young child, while Kirby Wakelin was runner-up with Rexy Had a Lamb, Merit was awarded to Claire Izzo.
Local photographer Mary Whitehead demonstrated her skill in black and white photography, winning the Black and White category with Night Shift on the Silage Wrapper 1, a striking image reflecting night-time harvesting operations.
Don Sforcina once again captured the energy and excitement of Beachport's surf school, winning the Sport and Leisure category with Surf School Training.
Beachport photographer Anne Sawyer claimed first place in the Nature category with her stunning image Pretty Bluebottle, a vibrant photograph showcasing the beauty of local wildlife. Anne was also the winner in the Landscape with a beautifully subtle sunset photo Evening in Pink, Jasmin Stebhens runner up photo Nature’s Pathway gave an aerial perspective of the cutting through to Lake George.
Sponsors Noel and Sheila Boyle were particularly complimentary of the Lake McIntyre category entries. Diana Vine took out first place with What Can You See?, an image of a visitor peering through a bird hide. Angela Leech was runner-up with A Familiar Presence, while Mary Whitehead placed third with Lake Mac Spoonbill.
The Drone category showcased Wattle Range from a unique perspective. Kalangadoo resident Madi Scheidl won the category with Broody, an impressive aerial image of a swan on its nest. Millicent photographer Tania Millard secured both second and third places with her dramatic images Pontoon on the Salt Lake and Footprints at Water's Edge.
A recently introduced category sponsored by Trusted Automotive Transport and Vehicles attracted strong entries. Local photographer Ricky Knowles was awarded first place with his image Helicopter, capturing aerial spraying operations.
Mary Whitehead won the Panoramic category with her stunning photograph Aurora Jan 26, while Ricky Knowles was runner-up with Tree on the Hill, a striking image of a solitary tree silhouetted against the sunset.
In the Junior Youth category, Lexi Johnson won first place with her evocative black and white photograph Little Sister. Rhyleigh Lindner was runner-up with Pond's Wish, while Kassandra Jade Fisk placed third with No Answer, a compelling portrait featuring a man holding a crayfish.
The Senior Youth category was won by Marcia Schaeffer with Aspiring Photographer, an image capturing a photographer at work in the bird hide at Lake McIntyre. Zac Chapple placed second with Little Mushroom, an impressive close-up study of fungi, while Maddix Chapple was awarded third place with another outstanding fungi photograph.
The prize-winning photographs are now on display as part of the Wattle Range Photographic Exhibition, including images on screens, showcasing the exceptional talent, creativity and diverse landscapes, people and wildlife found throughout the region.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll congratulated all entrants and winners, noting the growing strength of the exhibition.
"The Wattle Range Photographic Exhibition continues to showcase the remarkable talent within our region and beyond. These images capture the places, people, industries and natural beauty that make our communities unique. On behalf of Council, I congratulate all photographers who entered and thank them for sharing their creativity and perspectives with us."
The exhibition is open to the public at Gallery 2, until 5 November before relocating to the Millicent Visitor Information Centre Gallery, where visitors will have a further opportunity to view the award-winning photographs and selected entries.