Peace amongst the pines – students share love for the forest

OneFortyOne’s 2023 Forest Photo Competition winners have been selected.

Over 150 photos were received from students across the Limestone Coast and South Western Victoria regions, making choosing just two winners a challenge.

The judging panel (including a team from OneFortyOne – Andrew Burston, Amanda Amoroso, Kyle Thomas, Tania Barrett-Rhind, Lily Marshall, Trent Moulden, and Symone Williams, together with local photographer Tim Rosenthal, and Member of the South Australian Legislative Council Ben Hood) ultimately awarded the honours to Year 5 Student Jack Freckleton, and Year 12 student Alex McCarthy.

OneFortyOne External Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said the competition asked for students to send in their photos, along with a story about why they love about the forest.

“We received some interesting and unique photos this year,” Charlene said.

“A recurring theme in the stories we received was peacefulness. A number of students said the forest was a place they spent time in to relax and spend quality time with their families.”

Primary School category winner Jack Freckleton described his connection to the forest.

“What I love about the pines is when I go for walks with my two dogs in the magical forests around Dartmoor,” Jack said.

“This area around my house is a great way to relax and calm down and have some time where it’s peaceful after a big day.”

Charlene said the competition highlighted the significance of the forest with young people in the region.

“The stories are a reminder of how important forests are to local people, beyond economic value, and for the value in connecting with family, themselves, and with nature.”

“Thank you to students who shared their experiences with us.”

“We will share these with rest of our community too, so will be selecting a number of photos and their accompanying stories to be exhibited at the Riddoch Art Gallery, and The Mount Gambier Airport.”

Primary School – Jack Freckleton, Year 5

What I love about the pines is when I go for walks with my two dogs in the magical forests around Dartmoor. I took this photo one morning with the sun shining through the trees which is beautiful. This area around my house is a great way to relax and calm down and have some time where it’s peaceful after a big day. I hope you like my photo and why I like the pines.

Secondary School – Alex McCarthy, Year 12

As a local teenager with a passion for photography and nature, I am excited to submit my entry to the forest photo competition. The photos which I have captured illustrate my love for the local forests and the importance of the ecosystem.

My photos are of a slug which is hanging down from an old mushroom, which I think beautifully capitulates the intricate web of life that exists within the local forests. When I visit a forest I am reminded of the substantial and abundance of life. From the smallest insect to the largest tree, all life has its own unique and fascinating place within them. I am truly captivated with the balance of life which our local forests manage to support.

My photos for this competition capture a moment of harmony in nature – a slug hanging from a mushroom in the forest. Both the slug and mushroom play vital roles in the forest’s ecosystem.