Photographers branch out to uncover tree beauty
A teacher from Tullimbar framed a scene from his evening routine to catch the judges' eye
Trees are tops – that’s the verdict from this year’s entries in the annual Shellharbour City Council’s Wild About Shellharbour photography competition.
The "tree tales" theme encouraged participants to dig deeper and take a closer look at the natural beauty of our trees, capturing what they love about them and to discover the stories our most silent observers hold.
Doug Hewitt, a school teacher from Tullimbar, took out the people’s choice award and was runner-up in the over 18 category with his entry Boonerah Point Sunset.
Doug said he often goes to Boonerah Point in the evenings as the sunset over Lake Illawarra is spectacular. The competition posed a new challenge for him which he really enjoyed.
“It pushed me to go beyond the lake and the sunset," he said. "I had to feature the beautiful trees which normally I might include but not focus on.
"I had to look at the how the light formed on them – I was looking at something totally familiar to me but in a different way.”
Southern Sky, Ancient Tree by Simon Theuma took out the winning entry in the 18+ category. His image of gum trees in John Shepherd Reserve in Albion Park juxtaposed old and new as it featured ancient trees underneath a southern sky and The Milky Way, showcasing how they continue to show up in an ever-changing suburbia.
“I wanted to show that wild places still survive within our suburbs, remnants of an older landscape holding their ground beside our everyday lives,” Simon said. “There’s something deeply Australian about gum trees under stars – pale trunks, silence, space and the enduring memory of bushland.”
The photography competition ties in with Shellharbour City Council’s Greening Strategy, which seeks community feedback on how trees, bushland and green spaces can be protected and enhanced across the city.
Winners were selected across two categories, with judges recognising creativity, composition and connection to place. Community members also had the chance to vote for their favourite images, and people’s choice winners were selected in each category.
Over 18 category
• Winner: Southern Sky, Ancient Tree by Simon Theuma
• Runner-up: Boonerah Point Sunset by Doug Hewitt
• Highly commended: Sturdy Yet Soft by Christine Jauncey
Under 18 category
• Winner: Twisty Roots by Leyla A.
• Runner-up: The Hungry Caterpillar by Ella O.
• Highly commended: The Jungle Tree by Onur A.
People’s choice awards
• Under 18: The Jungle Tree by Onur A.
• Over 18: Boonerah Point Sunset by Doug Hewitt
