From mountain bikes to mindfulness – photo competition highlights connection to forests
27 May 22
OneFortyOne’s 2022 Forest Photo Competition winners have been selected.
Launched on International Day of Forests in March, the competition received over 150 photo entries from students from across the Limestone Coast and Western Victoria.
Entries were brought to a panel of judges, and top honours were given to Year 10 student Raine Scott, and Year 6 student Matilda Neale.
I love going for bush walks through the local forest with my family and connecting with nature. It is so quiet and peaceful. The smell of the pines on a rainy day, or the sun setting on the horizon will always take my breath away. It does not matter what time of the day or night it is, there are always new things to see and discover.
I love seeing all the different types of plants and wildlife that call our local forest home.We are so lucky to be surrounded by the beautiful forests and pine plantations here in Mount Gambier.
– Matilda Neale, Year 6
OneFortyOne External Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said based on the inspiring entries received last year, OneFortyOne again asked students to share stories with their photos.
“We loved the stories students sent in last year,” Charlene said.
“So we asked students again this year to send in their best
photos, and share with us how they connect to the forest, and we were impressed
with the response.”
Student connections with the forest ranged from adventuring amongst plantations
with family, to connecting with trees as they too have limbs and need water and
air to live.
Secondary School category winner Raine Scott said their connection to the forest was through a feeling of freedom.
“I connect to the freedom of exploring the forest and discovering new perspectives on the things I take for granted,” Raine said.
“I’m a mountain biker and an outdoor person so I love the forest and I will continue to create adventures with my family.”
I connect to the freedom of exploring the forest and discovering new perspectives on the things I take for granted. The peace and quietness give me time to reflect on my surroundings. Hearing the chirping birds sing and seeing fluttering butterflies can show the little moments in life makes up a memory. You may see just a photo but really behind the photo is an adventure and memory that will last a lifetime.
I’m a mountain biker and an outdoor person so I love the forest and I will continue to create adventures with my family. I have travelled all around the Australia for Mountain Biking and have created and inspired many trails for mountain biking.
– Raine Scott, Year 10
This year’s theme was forests and sustainable production and consumption.
“This is something OneFortyOne values as sustainable forest management is at the core of what we do,” Charlene said.
“Once again through the photo competition, students have inspired us to think about the diverse connections local people have to the forest, which makes our work even more meaningful.”
Photo entries and stories will be shared over the coming months on the OneFortyOne Facebook page.
OneFortyOne acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their deep connections to land, water, and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations people today.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori communities have a strong spiritual connection between people and the land – the wellbeing of one sustains the wellbeing of the other. We strive to build meaningful relationships with iwi as tangata whenua (people of the land/region), to be responsible intergenerational kaitiaki (stewards/guardians) of the land where our forests grow.