INLET GUARDIANS PREPARE FOR EIGHT ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION
The Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet will be releasing publicity on their 2008 Photo Competition from the start of February. Flyers and entry forms will be available from their business sponsors in Porirua and around the Inlet.
In September the City Council advised of continuing support from its Creative Communities Fund, and approaches by the GOPI organising team to local businesses in December received once again a very friendly response.
As in 2007 there will be four categories - Nature; Recreation; Human Impact and Reflections. Photos submitted need to be taken within the catchment of the Inlet in the last twelve months. As for last year there will be a Youth Prize in each section for the best entry by a photographer under 18.
‘This year there will be a new Junior award, for entrants under 13,’ co-ordinator Ken Rae reports, ‘a reflection of the increased use by the young of digital cameras and their versatile mobile phones - and a reflection of the ready response of our sponsors.’
‘Harvey Norman, a major contributor to the success of last year’s competition, are offering discounted membership of their VIP Club to all competition entrants, which will entitle them to free printing, and ongoing participation through the year in special Club promotions.’
Entries close on March 7 and prize-winning photos will be displayed in Whitby Mall, March 15-25, Porirua City Library, Pataka, 26 March to 4 April, and in Palmer’s Lifestyle Centre, Plimmerton 5-14 April.
In the society’s December Newsletter, Guardians’ Chair John Wells reported on ‘a hectic year’. He thanked GOPI members, and the community generally, for their wholehearted support. He noted the ready response to the planting project on the Camborne Walkway, the Inlet Clean Up Day in October and especially the 5th Triennial Cockle Count in November.
He reported that the turnout of over 100 volunteers for the Cockle Count on 11 November meant that all surveys right round the Inlet were completed on the day. ‘The data is now being analysed by NIWA, but it looks as though the total population of cockles within the Inlet remains much the same as in 2004, indeed since 1992.’
‘This stability is good news, as is the fact that cockles are re-establishing in areas around the Pauatahanui and Horokiri Stream mouths that were devastated by the large flood events early in 2004.’
“Our society’s objects are to promote, protect, and maintain the natural, historic and cultural values of the Inlet and to promote its ecological values and its standing, in the eyes of authorities and the public.’
‘The photo competition is a special opportunity for enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate the Inlet. Last year we had almost 300 quality prints submitted, twice the previous year’s total. I wonder if we can top 400 in 2008.’
Further information, if desired, is available from the Coordinator, GOPI Secretary Ken Rae (ken.rae@xtra.co.nz). Entries are to be posted to GOPI, P O Box 57034, Mana, PORIRUA.
Ken Rae
4a Paua Place
Camborne 5026
233 9614
