Old Invercargill
- Winning photos showcase iconic Southland heritage sites through creative photography skills.
- Entries include unique images of Anderson House, Otepuni Gardens, and other landmarks.
- Winning and commended photos are displayed digitally at local venues this month.
The winners of the Southland heritage photo competition have been announced, highlighting impressive photography skills and showcasing iconic landmarks. The competition was organised by Heritage New Zealand in partnership with Invercargill City Libraries & Archives, aiming to capture updated images of heritage-listed places in the region.
The winner of the adult category was Heather Cooper, who photographed the concrete footbridge in Otepuni Gardens. In the youth category, Jacob Wilkinson-Hall took home the top prize for his photo of Anderson House, a historic building designed by Cecil Wood.
Otago Southland Area Manager for Heritage New Zealand, Sarah Gallagher, praised the quality of this year’s submissions. "It is gratifying to see beautiful images of historic places in Southland. Heritage places adapt and change in use over time, so new photos are key to capturing the journey of these significant places."
Gallagher also thanked participants for their efforts. "Many thanks to all the entrants who took time to explore New Zealand Heritage List and then get out into their community with their cameras; I was particularly pleased to receive entries by young people this year."
In addition to the winning entries, several photographers received special recognition. Kate Wills was commended for her photo of the former Dee Street Hospital, David Dudfield for his image of Christ Church, and Chamique Mamolo for her pictures of St Mary’s Basilica.
Competition judge Rodney Adamson appreciated the variety of styles and perspectives shown in the entries. "I found it very interesting to see how other people photograph buildings and structures, and how they get the best angle to show off the main features and reveal how the building interacts with its environment. The winning image was taken at an angle not often seen, with all the main elements of the structure taken into consideration."
The winning and commended photographs are currently on digital display at the Civic Theatre and Invercargill City Library during Southland Heritage Month. They will also be added to the New Zealand Heritage List online archive, and the digital images will become part of the Invercargill Archives collection