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Winners Announced

Announcement posted by Macular Disease Foundation Australia 14 Nov 2017

mEYE World Photographic Competition 2017

Macular Disease Foundation Australia today announced the grand finalist and category winners of the mEYE World Photographic Competition 2017, to mark World Diabetes Day. The winning photographs were selected from wide ranging entries that celebrated the theme See My World – In Your Own Backyard.

An initiative of the 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. Betttina says, “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”.

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 In your own backyard theme, from ocean waves to tiny insects, from family members to vast landscapes, makes judging the awards quite challenging."

“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,” Ms Buttrose said.

Category winners are:

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

To find out more visit www.mdfoundation.com.au

Ends

Media contact:

Janice Clarkson - Macular Disease Foundation Australia
janice@mdfoundation.com.au, Tel: 02 8268 8407
Supporting images available on request.

Background information

 mEYE World Photographic Competition:

The mEYE World Photographic Competition, now in its seventh year, was established by Macular Disease Foundation Australia to raise awareness of macular disease, the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. In 2017 Australians were invited to enter a photograph that depicted the theme See My World – In Your Own Backyard. Competition period was 8 August – 3 October 2017 with winners announced on 14 November 2017. To find out more information visit www.mdfoundation.com.au

About Macular Disease Foundation Australia

Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s vision is to reduce the incidence and impact of macular disease in Australia through education, awareness, research, support services and representation. The Foundation is a national charity providing information, guidance and support for those living with macular disease. It is the voice of the macular disease community. For more information call 1800 111 709 or visit www.mdfoundation.com.au