The Black Summer and Beyond exhibition has been declared a tremendous success and a fitting tribute by the community after its opening weekend, with the winner donating her prize to volunteers.
Black Summer and Beyond - an exhibition of images from the Macleay was officially opened by Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell at Willawarrin Hall on Saturday, on a weekend that also marked the anniversary of some of the worst days of the Black Summer bushfires impact on the region.
More than 400 people are estimated to have visited the exhibition over the weekend to see the travelling exhibition of photos taken by the community of the fires, their impact, the immediate response and the recovery by the community and nature over the last 12 months.
In an emotional speech, Cr Campbell described this as a time to reflect on the past year and recalled her own memories of the days immediately after the fires swept through Willawarrin and Bellbrook.
"The images will both break your heart and uplift your spirits," said Cr Campbell.
"This is a time to reflect on the devastation of what happened 12 months ago. We have so much to reflect on and give thanks for."
"What we went through sometimes seems like a blur, but I do remember the bravery, the courage and the kindness of our community."
Council received more than 300 submissions from members of the community, including many extraordinary, previously unpublished, photos of the fires, the aftermath and the 12 months of recovery since that time. A selection of these have been mounted in various formats while the remaining photos can be viewed on a slideshow at the exhibition.
Volunteers from Disaster Relief Australia, formerly known as Team Rubicon, who worked in the area in the days and weeks after the fires, returned for the first time to attend the opening and to judge the winner of Best Photo.
The award and prize of $500 and an Akubra hat went to Rebecca Gale for her striking black and white image Strength and Resilience. Ms Gale, who lost her home in the fires, declined the $500 prize money choosing instead to donate it to the crew presenting the awards.
The Disaster Relief Australia team also gave an honourable mention to Adam Dederer for his stunning photo of fires coming over the hill entitled She's Coming Right For Us.
A People's Choice award will also be announced on Tuesday 1 December, at the conclusion of the first three stages of the exhibition.
The free exhibition is open to the public every day from 10am-3pm on the following dates and locations:
- Willawarrin Hall, Saturday 7 - Sunday 15 November
- Bellbrook Hall, Saturday 21 - Tuesday 24 November
- Sherwood Hall, Friday 27 - Monday 30 November
Black Summer and Beyond will tour locations in the Upper Macleay before moving to other venues across the shire and beyond in the coming months.
Strength and Resilience - Rebecca Gale, Toorooka: This photo, taken on my birthday 10 November 2019, is of my youngest son looking at the remains of our house at Toorooka. When I look at this photo it reminds me of how far we have come in 11 months and the strength and resilience of my boys.
She's coming straight for us - Adam Dederer, Upper Macleay
Attendees take in the winning photo, Rebecca Gale's Strength and Resilience
Honourable Mention went to Adam Dederer's She's Coming Straight For Us
