Students capture essence of local forests

OneFortyOne’s 2024 Forest Photo Competition winners have been selected.

This year’s competition saw an impressive array of over 120 entries from students across the Limestone Coast and Western Victoria, showcasing their perspectives on our iconic landscape.

Entries were brought to a panel of judges, and top honours were given to Year 6 student Hunter Crowe, and Year 12 student Ellie Cookson.

OneFortyOne CEO Wendy Norris expressed her admiration for the students’ work.

“The perspectives shared by these young photographers are truly inspiring,” Wendy said.

“The enthusiasm and creativity shown highlight the strong connection our community has with local forests.”

Launched in August to celebrate National Forestry Day, the competition was designed to encourage students to explore and share their unique perspective about what the forest means to them.

Ellie captured the essence of local forests with her stunning photograph and heartfelt words about the surprises and unique sights in the forests she calls home, while Hunter’s winning entry beautifully depicted his love for nature and the joy he finds in exploring the bush with his family.

“Their ability to capture the beauty and resilience of our forests emphasises the importance of thoughtful stewardship of the forest for generations to come,” Wendy said.

“We are incredibly impressed, and thankful to all of the students for their contributions to this celebration of nature.”

The winning photos will be featured on OneFortyOne’s social media channels and website, and a selection of entries will be displayed at a number of exhibitions in the region.

Secondary School Winner

Ellie Cookson, Year 12, Grant High School

“I love all the forests around because there’s always something new to see, something unique in its own way around every single corner, you never know if there’s going to be a surprise such as a kangaroo, emu, a bird or simply a tiny mushroom. Everything is special and I’m glad to call it home.”

Primary School Winner

Hunter Crowe, Year 6, Glencoe Central Primary School

“I like to go walking with my family out in the bush, to find and explore new and amazing sceneries.

I most enjoy the way that walking in nature can make you feel better, especially when we go Geocaching. It’s amazing to see all the revegetation after the scars from bushfires, and the interesting shapes that the existing trees have formed.”