Macular Disease Foundation Australia has marked World Diabetes Day by announcing the grand finalist and category winners of the mEYE World Photographic Competition 2017. The winning photographs were selected from wide ranging entries that celebrated the theme See My World – In Your Own Backyard.
An initiative of Macular Disease Foundation Australia, the competition is designed to raise awareness of macular disease, the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia.
The high profile judging panel included Foundation Patron Ita Buttrose, internationally recognised photographer Rex Dupain, and one of Australia’s longest serving news photographers, Alan Pryke.
“This competition is such a pleasure to judge. This year’s entries have been wonderfully creative and they captured our In Your Own Backyard theme perfectly,” said Ita Buttrose.
Bettina Damme of Rathmines (NSW) is this year’s Grand Finalist. Her winning photograph entitled Pollen Face is of a colourful rainbow lorikeet that visits her backyard. “In Australia we’re very lucky to have so much wildlife in our backyards, I only have to step on my veranda to see these beautiful rainbow lorikeets,” said Ms. Damme.
Judge Rex Dupain said of the winning photo, “Pollen Face, is a striking portrait of a native bird with a spectrum of outrageous feathers, and while the parrot’s palette becomes an ornithologist’s delight, we are happy to admire it as a work of art”.
The competition categories include: macular disease community, healthcare professional, open, and junior (under 18).
Alan Pryke said, “I enjoy the amazing range of images in all the categories. The entrant’s different ways of interpreting the In your own backyard theme, from ocean waves to tiny insects, from family members to vast landscapes, makes judging the awards quite challenging.”
the competition is designed to raise awareness of macular disease
“Macular disease affects Australians of all ages and we now know that early detection can save sight. The competition is an excellent way to remind people how precious their sight is and why they should never take it for granted,” said Ms Buttrose.
Category Winners
• Open (General Public) – Bettina Damme, Rathmines NSW (Grand Finalist)
• Healthcare Professional – Dr. Edwin Lim, Elderslie NSW
• Macular Disease Community – Jen Stocks, Jemalong NSW
• Junior (Under 18) – Zara Jozsa, Ormond, Victoria
