Spring in the Shire winners announced

Junior Prize Winner Lucy Blersch, Young Adult Prize Winner Holly Draffin, Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble, Young Adult Highly Commended Amelie Strahan and Major Prize Winner Lyn Steele. (Supplied) 263229_01

Golden Plains Shire has announced the winners of its Spring in the Shire photography competition, with Bannockburn’s Lyn Steele taking out the major prize.

The competition was designed to allow photographers to showcase their talents by photographing the Golden Plains to the theme of ‘what we share’.

Ms Steele’s photograph, titled Wing Attack, was picked by the judges as the winner, based on its impact, subject matter and storytelling.

Geelong’s Barry Feldman and Scarsdale’s Lisa Carpenter were highly commended in the open category for their photographs.

Linton’s Holly Draffin took out the young adult prize – for people between 13 and 17 years old – for her photo ‘Love’, whole Dereel’s Amelie Strahan was highly commended.

In the junior prize, for children 12 and under, Inverleigh’s Lucy Blersch claimed the win, while Bannockburn’s Ruby Bennion was highly commended.

Mayor Gavin Gamble said there were many high quality entries in this year’s competition.

“The spectacular entries in this year’s Spring in the Shire photography competition are a great showcase of the creative talent of residents of all ages and from locations across our shire,” he said.

“Congratulations to our three prize winners, Lyn, Holly and Lucy, whose photographs beautifully capture the competition theme of ‘what we share’.

“With so many wonderful, shortlisted entries on display, we hope that many residents take the opportunity to visit the exhibition during January.”

The competition received more than 70 entries, with 30 having been selected to be displayed in a public exhibition at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre until January 31.

The exhibition is open Mondays to Saturdays across the summer period.