News

Wonderful wetlands the winner in photo competition

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 04:18:00

A huge response to a photographic competition to mark World Wetlands Day has showcased the beauty and diversity of the Mallee’s stunning wetlands.

The competition was run in conjunction with ABC Open and attracted more than 100 entries of wetlands across the Mallee region.
But Mildura photographer Craig Francisco’s image of King’s Billabong was assessed by the judges to be the best, with Craig receiving a GoPro video camera for his winning entry.
The judging panel was made up of: ABC Open reporter Jen Douglas, Mallee CMA chair Sharyon Peart, Mildura Mayor Glenn Milne and Richard Mintern, the local engagement officer with the Commonwealth Water Holder.
“It was a tough task simply because there were such a large number of entries and because wetlands are such amazing, natural photo subjects – the pictures were of a really high standard,” said Mallee CMA Chair Sharyon Peart.
“The theme of the competition was ‘Wetlands for our future: Sustainable Livelihoods’, and every one of the entries captured that idea beautifully,” she said.
A stunning picture of King’s Billabong, taken during a visit by Melbourne photographer Craig Francisco, was judged the winner.
“My mother lived in the Mallee for a while during her teenage years and I still have relatives in the area,” Craig said.
“We spent many summers as children on family holidays at Red Cliffs and I have many fond memories of being down by the water during those times – fond memories of a time less complicated!” he said.
“When I had a chance to do a road trip with dad and revisit some of these locations, I jumped at it. 
“The photo was taken down at the Psyche Bend end of the Billabong, which we’d visited as children and my cousins assured me was still a place of magic, so it was a no-brainer to pay it a visit some 35+ years on.

“How could you not photograph it – it’s so alive, the photograph took itself, I just pressed the button and was lucky enough to capture the beauty of it all to take home with me!”

You can look at all the fabulous entries at the ABC Open website.  Select the Sunraysia region and go to "Pic of the Week".