SCOTT DONALDSON
The “Tapawera Through the Lens” photography exhibition and competition gave locals a rare opportunity to not only showcase their photography skills, but the amazing people and landscapes which make the area special.
Temika Amstad, who won second place in the Our People section for her photo of a father and a baby, enjoyed the experience of being involved.
"It was really exciting to have a local photography competition to enter and share some of my images with people who may not have otherwise seen them,” she exclaimed.
“It was also really cool to see all the photos entered by our very talented locals.”
There were 22 entrants and 53 images in the inaugural competition, with all entries printed and displayed as a gallery at Pizza Plus in Tapawera, the same venue that the prizegiving was held in on Friday 7 August.
According to organiser Phoebe Quinlivan, Founder and Operations Assistant at Tapawera Connect the exhibition represented a chance to celebrate emerging talent, share the stories and beauty of the region, and see Tapawera from fresh perspectives.
“This is a celebration of the people, places, and landscapes that make our community special,” explains Phoebe.
“A huge thank you to all of you wonderful photographers who entered the comp, and to those that were able to make it to the prizegiving.”
“The event went down really well, bringing people into our new local eatery, providing a gathering point for people to come together, finding common ground around the shared places and people we love, and celebrating local talent.”
Jan Barker won the Our Whenua/Land category with her photo of sheep on a road.
Deborah Cumming finished second with hills and mist, while Ainoa (tree and mist) and Della Webby (river and mountains) were highly commended.
The Our Place section was won by Della Webby (bull stump with sheep) with Ainoa’s bridge photo second.
Sharlene Jukes’ entry of a church and Naralee Jelinek (fence and tractor) were highly commended.
Ainoa’s photo of a butcher won the Our People section, with Temika second.
Pamela Irvine’s junior rugby and Naralee Jelinek’s woman, goat and fence photos claimed highly commended.
Aidan Jukes claimed a clean sweep in the Under-12 category with his photos featuring St Arnaud jetty, and old building and jumping girl.
Della Webby’s bull stump with sheep photo won the People’s Choice Award.
Julie-Ann Winwood won the Bayleys Rural Life Award for her photo of kids and hay.
The competition was judged by local art teacher Kellie Doreen, councillor John Gully and Bayleys Real Estate agent Dan Mitchell.
Prizes included vouchers to local businesses.
Pizza Plus owner Julie Jacobson was happy to have hosted the Tapawera photo competition in her restaurant.
“Colourful photos really brightened the place up, attracting locals and visitors to come in and look,” she exclaimed.
“As a new business, the competition gave people a reason to pop in.”
“Customers really enjoyed looking through the beautiful images of their land and locals, while waiting for pizza.”
