GUARDIANS' PHOTO COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THE INLET
The Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet look for another enthusiastic response to their seventh Annual Photographic Competition, launched on 4 February, entries to be in the hands of the Society by 9 March. This year's theme is 'Celebrate Our Inlet'.
Building on the enthusiastic response to last year's competition there are once again four categories, photos to highlight the Inlet and Nature, Recreation, Human Impact and in a new category, Reflections on the Inlet. As for the 2006 competition, there has been ready support from a range of sponsors, and this has made possible generous prizes in each of the four classes.
Last year the best junior entrant, of only 12 years, also carried off one of the four first prizes in open competition. This year support has been such that there will be an additional prize voucher of $50 available to the best entrant under 18 years in each of the four categories.
'We are pleased at the response of our loyal sponsors, and are happy to announce that Geoff Marshall, nominated last year by the Kapiti Camera Club, will once again be our judge,' says John Wells, Chair of the Guardians. 'On a very tight timeline last year he made perceptive comments on all entries, which we were pleased to convey to the competitors.
'I imagine last year's record entries, three times those for any previous competition, reflect the increased popularity of digital cameras. Anticipating another rise in prints submitted this year, we have given Mr Marshall extra time to reach his decisions and we are looking forward to his verdicts on this year's entries.'
Winning entries and those highly commended will once again be displayed at three venues, Whitby Mall from Saturday 16 March, Porirua City Library in Pataka from Monday 26 March and at Palmer's at the Plimmerton Roundabout from Monday 2 April, extending over the Easter Weekend.
'Get those cameras clicking,' advises John Wells. 'The weather has turned around and Waitangi weekend showed the many charms of the Inlet that is the heart of our city. We are pleased to give residents old and young the opportunity to celebrate Pauatahanui Inlet's special qualities - and equally to think about human impact on those ecological and recreational values.'
Entry forms are now available at Palmer's Lifestyle Centre, Plimmerton, Plimmerton Gallery, Mana and Whitby Pharmacies, Whitby Post and Bookshop, Bright's Mitre10, Camera House in North City and at Harvey Norman in the Megacentre. The form may also be downloaded from the society's website, www.gopi.wellington.net.nz.
