The Upper Murray region famous for cattle, mountain vistas and lovely clear rivers is also well known for the epic poem by A.B Banjo Paterson, The Man from Snowy River.
Each year for the past 24 years the mountain communities have celebrated that heritage with the unique Man from Snowy River Bush Festival and this year 100 per cent of profits will go towards supporting bushfire recovery.
Despite taking an absolute beating during the recent bushfires, the people of the Corryong district are rallying, determined to make the 25th Man from Snowy River Bush Festival a source of inspiration and solace for those who have been affected by the devastation.
For the first time, the annual Elyne Mitchell Photo Story Competition will be held in conjunction with the festival in April 2020, with cash prizes on offer for three age categories.
The competition is held in honour of the late Elyne Mitchell, whose Silver Brumby series of children's novels resonated with generations of Australian school children.
The author's daughter, Honor Auchinleck recalled her mother grew inspiration and was excited by the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival and its celebration of high country bush values like horsemanship, with equestrian events, dog trials and the recitation of bush poetry.
"Being a part of that rich tradition of high country writing, it is fitting that a commemoration of Elyne's life and work now has its place with a photo story competition to be judged during the art and photography exhibition at the bush festival," Mrs Auchinleck said.
"There will be a great diversity of themes for entrants to explore and gathering of birds, wild animals, flowers and people are just some of the subjects that could inspire potential winning entries.
The theme for the Elyne Mitchell Photo Story Competition 2020 is "The Gathering" and entries must relate to rural experience.
Entrants must take inspiration from a photo and 200 words to accompany the picture.
"Sometimes the simplest image can inspire some of the best writing," Mrs Auchinleck said.
The Elyne Mitchell photo story competition will be judged on the opening night of the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival's Art and Photography Exhibition from 5pm on Thursday 2 April 2020.
The competiton is open to three age categories: under 15, under 18 and open.
The winning entries will receive cash prizes of -
- 1st, $250 and Camera House voucher $100
- 2nd, $150 and Camera House voucher $70
- 3rd, $100 and Camera House voucher $30
Entries must be submitted in JPEG format with the text component in PDF by March 16.
To enter email: toevents@bushfestival.com.au
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival will run from April 2 to 5.
Full terms and condition are at www.bushfestival.com.au
"It will cheer us all up after the destruction and loss," Honor Auchinleck said.