Winners of the annual Gomaren & Doctor’s Creek Focus on Farms photography competition will be announced at the Jacaranda Day festival in Goombungee this Saturday, 5 November.
“No matter where you live, the connection to farming is an important part of our identity as Australians,” competition coordinator Jean Gundry said. “Landcare is not just for farmers.
“Everyone of us who lives on the Darling Downs has a reason to celebrate the fact that we live in one of the most productive regions on the planet.
“We benefit through jobs in agriculture and allied industries, food and fibre production, healthy lifestyles and the capacity to sustain and benefit from the environment.”
The photography competition, which has categories accessible to all ages and lifestyles is an instigation and encouragement for people to engage in a community exploration and conversation about our relationship with the land.
“My passion is for education,” Jean explains. “I want to encourage the next generation to interact with the environment; to be in it, be part of it, respond, observe and interact with it.”
To that end, the primary school category within the competition has a focus on insects. Without a healthy insect population there can be no sustainable environment.
Landcare projects and membership are also important to building healthy and sustainable communities. Previous photographic competition award events have resulted in vibrant and packed community gatherings.
The learning and sharing of new ideas have proven to be important for fostering mental wellbeing and community support and identity.
“A philosophy of caring for the land is the scaffolding for everyone’s relationship with the environment, irrespective of where you live,” Jean said.
Gomaren and Doctor’s Creek Landcare members will be on location in Mocatta Street all through Jacaranda Day for anyone who wishes to join the conversation.
For the full programme of events, visit ‘Jacaranda Day Goombungee’ on Facebook.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 3 November 2022.
