"the owners of the licence to conduct the Huntfest event have handed back their licence for this and future years and it is now open for other parties to apply to run events in future years at the venue in question, should they seek a licence to do so by the usual process” Cancellation of Huntfest announced at the opening of 6th annual Animals in The Wild Photographic Exhibition, Gallery Bodalla, Saturday 8 June 2019. At the opening of the 6th annual Animals in The Wild photographic exhibition on Saturday Allan Baxter, President of SAFE - Stop Arms Fairs in Eurobodalla - announced to a thrilled audience that Huntfest had handed back their license to operate the event and would not be running the event this year, or in years to come. Eurobodalla Shire Greens Councillor Pat McGinlay gave Mr Baxter the news just prior to the announcement of this years winners by Greens MP David Shoebridge. “ It’s excellent news especially now when we’re celebrating our wonderful native wildlife here at Animals in the Wild. We’d like to think that SAFE has played a role in the demise of HuntFest which we see as a celebration of hunting and killing animals. This announcement is a triumph for our theme of shooting with a camera, not a gun. What a great success!” said Mr Baxter. Greens MP David Shoebridge said the cancellation of Huntfest after years of local and international opposition has made this year’s competition the best so far. “We began Animals in the Wild as a positive way to campaign against Huntfest which we are glad to see has been cancelled, following years of community pressure,” he said. “ It’s a much loved celebration of nature in the wild, unthreatened and unharmed by humans. Now in it’s 6th year the quality of the entries just keeps rising. We’re extremely pleased to have the highly respected photographer Rex Dupain judging this years competition. "Animals in The Wild is our positive response to the threats nature is facing. Nature is there for us to appreciate, not decimate and this year we introduced a new category focussed on forests, their beauty and fragility. From the Corn Trail to Mogo and beyond the South Coast has magnificent natural reserves that are also facing extreme pressure from logging” Mr Shoebridge said. “The very popular People Choice award attracted around 150 entries which would suggest we had an attendance of more than 200 people over just 2 days. That’s how popular this exhibition has become” said Mr Baxter.
Above: 6th annual Animals in The Wild Photographic Exhibition, Gallery Bodalla. Pictured at the opening of Animals in the Wild photo exhibition this weekend are L to R:
Local photographers Tess Poyner of Dalmeny, Margaret Craig of Tuross Head, Susan Cruttenden of SAFE, Greens MP David Shoebridge, photographers Julie and Leo Armstrong of Tura Beach and Eurobodalla Shire Greens Councillor Pat McGinlay. Picture by Gillianne Tedder.
Picture by Tess Poyner. Gippsland Water Dragon Mummaga Lake Runner up Category E. The most beautiful image of an animal in the wild photographed by a photographer aged 16 years or under.
Picture by Tess Poyner.Category A. The image that most evokes a connection with an animal in the wild in Australia Bare-Nosed Wombat taken in Bendethera, Deua National Park while camping
Picture by Tess Poyner.A trio of Eastern Grey Kangaroos seen early one morning in Bendethera National ParkCategory E. The most beautiful image of an animal in the wild photographed by a photographer aged 16 years or under.
Picture by Tess Poyner.RUNNER UP CATEGORY C The image that best shows the beauty and diversity of our precious native forestsThere are an estimated 10,000 species of Fungi and Mushrooms in Australia, and only about one third of them have been identified scientifically. This Orange Fan Fungi (Antgracophyllum archeri) is a common species of fungus that grows on dead logs, branches and twigs in forest habitats.
Picture by Ros Osborne.WINNER CATEGORY D: The image that conveys the threats facing native animals in Australia, including the reality of habitat destruction from logging and guns. Drier conditions brought about by climate change will increase the risk of fire resulting in the destruction of plant and animal habitats
Picture by Jason Freeman; A mother and her young. Bats give birth to only one pup each year. Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus). After being scared out of Melbourne's Botanic Gardens by crowds of noisy people, the endangered bats made a home for themselves along the banks of the Yarra River in Kew. Bats play an important role in seed and pollen dispersion of native plants.
PIcture by Leo Armstrong CATEGORY B. The most beautiful image of a bird in the wild in Australia.We enjoyed watching our friend the Gang gang eating his breakfast in our front garden whilst we had coffee on our verandah at our property south east of Yass, NSW.
Picture by ERIKA ZHOUThree Kookaburras Glenworth Valley perching on a mossy log amongst the Australian bushes. Culling of these majestic birds should absolutely not be allowed ever!.Winner Category E. The most beautiful image of an animal in the wild photographed by a photographer aged 16 years or under.
Picture by Julie Armstrong. Runner Up Category A. The image that most evokes a connection with an animal in the wild in Australia Wallabies on the beach at sunrise Cape Hillsborough near Mackay
Picture Jason Freeman; Mournpall Morning Painterly sunrise textures of flooded trees on Lake Mournpall, Hattah-Kulkyne NP, Vic
Picture by Ann Killeen, WINNER CATEGORY B. The most beautiful image of a bird in the wild in Australia. Little black shouldered stilts early morning fishing in the backwaters of the Murray River Rutherglen
Picture by Margaret Craig.Category A. The image that most evokes a connection with an animal in the wild in AustraliaIt was a wonderful day when I had the company of a pair of Whistling Kites at One Tree Point, Tuross Head. Sadly, this one had fishing line with hook attached to its tail feathers. A message for fishermen to be responsible and place any unused tackle in bins provided so our wildlife is left unharmed.
