Following two months of workshops and travelling 'shutterbug' sessions throughout South Western Sydney's Macarthur region, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW 'Our Earth Our Stories' nature photo competition culminated in a special awards night on Friday 11 August.

Special guest and world famous nature photographer Steve Parish presented the awards.

Over 200 members from the local Macarthur community attended the Campbelltown Arts Centre ceremony, where the following award recipients were announced from over 75 outstanding entries:

• Children's Section
  WINNER: Alannah Warn - 'Green Wild Grass'
  RUNNER-UP: Katherine Stewart - 'Naughty Noah, Rainbow Lorikeet'
  
  
• Young People's Section
  WINNER: Mitchell Trench - 'Barbed Threat'
  RUNNER-UP: Natasha Whittenmore - 'Wildlife in Wollondilly' (Swamp Wallaby)
  
  
• Open Section
  WINNER: Susanne Jones - 'The Lookout'
  RUNNER-UP: Norman Walton - 'Clean Up Your Act'
  
  
• PhotoVoice Section (photo storyboards - open to all)
  WINNER: Menangle Action Group - 'Unique Menangle'
  RUNNER-UP: The Benevolent Society Centre for Women's Health - 'The Place Where We Live'
  
  
• People's Choice
  WINNER: Peter Butler - 'Triptych: The End of Civilization' (PhotoVoice entry)
  RUNNER-UP: Alannah Warn - 'Green Wild Grass'

Picture caption:
Steve Parish with Children's
section winner Alannah Warn
for 'Green Wild Grass'.

Image taken by T. Freeman Smith

A lack of understanding of biodiversity is a significant barrier towards its protection for many communities. This competition encouraged Macarthur residents to explore their local biodiversity and capture its beauty and uniqueness through the lens.

At the workshops, participants learned about 'Photovoice', a powerful community-driven tool for environmental and social action. They learned how to compile stories about their local environment using pictures and captions that highlight an urgent need for action.

The 'Our Earth, Our Stories' concept will be rolled out on the Central Coast later this year and will provide an opportunity to address coastal biodiversity conservation issues and showcase the area's biodiversity assets.

>> More info - www.nccnsw.org.au