Local students share connection to forests
17 May 21
A story of nostalgia and a story of hope have accompanied winning photos in OneFortyOne’s Forest Photo Competition.
Over 150 photos were received from students across the Limestone Coast region, making it a tough task for the panel of judges to decide on just two winners.
Ultimately the panel (including a team from OneFortyOne – Andrew Burston, John Cannon, Melissa Smith, Bella Walker, Mae Steele, together with local photographer Tim Rosenthal, and Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs MP) awarded top honours to Year 2 student Cohen Minter, and Year 9 student Lucy Collins.
OneFortyOne External Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said the competition was launched to celebrate International Day of Forests in March, and asked students to send in their photos, along with an explanation of what the forest means to them.
“The photos we received were awesome, and even better were the stories students sent in to share their connection with the forest,” Charlene said.
“We received such a range of stories – from a Year 6 sharing their aspirations for a career in forestry, to a story from our primary school category winner Year 2 student Cohen Minter, who just loves to explore and hopes to one day see a monkey amongst the pines.”
I like exploring in the forest because you never know what exciting things you might find. When I go there I always hope I will see some animals like a kangaroo or a monkey. In the forest there is heaps of peace and quiet and it makes me feel nice and calm. – Cohen Minter, Year 2
Secondary school category winner Lucy Collins said the images she entered showed new growth and youth.
The images I have taken shows new growth and youth. I have always enjoyed the pine forest, exploring with my brothers. The beautiful fresh air, all the different pine trees, no two the same. The forest reminds me of when I was little and we used to try to get lost around the tall trees. – Lucy Collins, Year 9
Charlene said the competition highlighted the different relationships young people in our community have with local forests and the forestry industry.
“Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and photos with us.”
“They’re too good to keep to ourselves, so we’ll be sharing a selection on our OneFortyOne socials over the coming months.”
International Day of Forests is observed in March each year, to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
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.