General News
11 April, 2025
Picture perfect in Moonambel
Moonambel’s long running photography competition and exhibition returned last weekend thanks to community support.
Back for its 16th year, Moonambel Arts and History Group’s (MAHG) biennial photography competition and exhibition brought the community together for the first time in just over two years.
Taking this year’s theme of ‘on the edge’ 120 entries ran with the concept to form the weekend’s exhibition.
Judged on the Friday the winners were across four categories. Best of Show ($250 prize), awarded to Kylie McNeill, and Children 12 and Under ($50 prize) were judged by professional photographers, while ‘popular’ and ‘most humorous’ were decided by popular vote, each with a $100 prize.
While Sanne Malkaer took the latter with ‘Nana is on edge’, most popular ended in a dead heat.
Attendees couldn’t choose between ‘Smokie on the edge’ by Jon Hurrey and ‘On the edge of the storm’ by Graeme Akers, both taking the win.
Keen to get involved, 20 kids from a local primary school joined the fun with their entries.
The Children’s prize was awarded by the judges to ‘Daisy Dog’ by Tarli from Highton Primary School.
As possible up and coming photographers MAHG secretary Jenny MacKay said they were enthusiastic to learn more about the craft from other attendees.
“On the Sunday particularly, when they came back for the meet and mingle occasion, they were able to get some ideas [from other photographers],” she said.
Ms MacKay said the entries made for an amazing display. One where the judges not only picked winners but picked out many as highly commended.
It was a showing which wouldn’t be possible without community support, Ms MacKay said.
“We’re very fortunate to have such great support throughout our area,” she said.
Support came far and wide including: Pyrenees Shire’s community funding program and De Cameron ward councillor Megan Phelan presenting the prizes, member for Ripon Martha Haylett, Pyrenees Arts Council, and many more including those that contributed to the raffle prizes.
“Thank you to each and every one of them,” Ms MacKay said.
Evolving from their last event’s market there was also a no-fee car boot sale. While 15 sellers attended Ms MacKay felt there were few buyers, something they hope to expand in the next event.
While a date is yet to be locked in Ms MacKay expects another impressive showing in 2027 thanks to the community’s ongoing support and the efforts of their five committee members.
“We work extremely hard to get these events on, hence the reason they’re only every two years,” she said.