Included in the list of finalists for the 2023 Christmas Card Photo Competition conducted by Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton was a Gunnedah resident.
Sunrise from Blackjack Road by Lyn Hunt took a finalist spot.
The picture will be featured with other finalists’ photos in Mr Coulton’s annual Christmas card and fridge magnet calendar which will be delivered to every household in the Parkes electorate during December.
“The selected photos will be featured in a collage on my 2023 Christmas card and also on a limited print run of full sized 2024 calendars,” Mr Coulton said.
Ted Miller from Coolah’s photo, ‘Vinegaroy Road in the evening’.
Ted Miller from Coolah also had his photo, Vinegaroy Road in the evening, make the finalist list.
A striking and iconic image taken near Lightning Ridge was selected as the winner.
Mr Coulton congratulated Lightning Ridge resident Naomi Stone for being named the winner of the photo competition, with her photograph titled Sunrise at Kangaroo Hill.
“This photo captures the intensity of the sunrises experienced in Outback New South Wales,” Mr Coulton said.
“Ms Stone’s photo includes such eye-catching colour that it immediately got my attention, and I think a sunrise is always a hopeful thing, which is a nice message as well.
“The rocky soil and old structures featured in this photo are an iconic reminder of the industry out at Lightning Ridge.”
This year’s Christmas Card Photo Competition received fewer entries than the previous year but photos were of an incredible standard.
“The quality of both the winner and some of the shortlisted photographs in this year’s competition has been outstanding,” Mr Coulton said.
“While I was most immediately drawn to the winning image, there are other images in this year’s shortlist which are of an extremely high quality and showcase both the skill of their photographers as well as the beauty of the Parkes electorate.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the competition.”
‘Sunrise at Kangaroo Hill’ by Naomi Stone from Lightning Ridge was the winning photo.
