World renowned exhibition on loan

Wildlife photography lovers can revel in a world-renowned exhibition on loan from London, which is now showing at the National Wool Museum in Geelong.

Now in its 56th year, the National History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year award is among most prestigious and well respected nature photography awards in the world.

There were 50,000 entries this year from professional and amateurs all over the world, with only 100 accepted into the exhibition and 50 of those highly commended.

Two Australian photographers, Gaz Meredith and Paul Hilton, were highly commended this year with Mr Hilton winning the Wildlife Photojournalist Story Award.

Categories include animals in their environment, animal portraits, behaviour categories which portray different species displaying unusual, memorable or dramatic behaviour, plants and fungi, underwater, urban wildlife and wetlands.

According to a statement released by the wool museum, the competition uses photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences around the world and encourage a future of advocating for the planet.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said it was an honour for Geelong to host the exhibition.

“The calibre of artists and international recognition it receives will attract visitors to our region to experience Geelong as a cultural destination,” she said.
Padraic Fisher, the Director of the Wool Museum, agreed.

“This exhibit, and the many programs related to it, is a beautiful way to welcome visitors back to their museum and support our community,” he said.

According to Executive Director of Science at the Natural History Museum and member of the judging panel, the award was an opportunity to engage audiences with the natural world.

“There has never been a more vital time for audiences all over the world to re-engage with the natural world, and what better way than this inspiring and provocative exhibition,” he said.