Black summer bushfires: Striking bushfire images now on display across the Macleay Valley
A striking display of imagery captured during the devastation of last year’s Mid-North Coast Black Summer bushfires is now on display across the Macleay Valley.
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A striking display of imagery paying homage to the devastation, resilience and recovery of the Mid-North Coast community during the Black Summer Bushfires has opened within the Macleay Valley.
The Black Summer and Beyond exhibition, which features sensational photography of the ferocity, devastation and aftermath of the Black Saturday Fires, is travelling to devastated bushfire communities across the Macleay Valley.
The collection of images – each with their own unique tale of the ferocious blazes – will be on display until Monday November 30.
Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell described Black Summer and Beyond, an exhibition of images from the Macleay, as both heart breaking and spiritually uplifting.
“The images will both break your heart and uplift your spirits,” she said.
“This is a time to reflect on the devastation of what happened 12 months ago. We have so much to reflect on and give thanks for.
“What we went through sometimes seems like a blur, but I do remember the bravery, the courage and the kindness of our community.“
Kempsey Shire Council received more than 300 submissions from members of the community, including many extraordinary, previously unpublished photos of the fires, the aftermath and the 12 months of recovery since.
Volunteers from Disaster Relief Australia, formerly known as Team Rubicon, who worked in the area in the days and weeks after the fires, returned for the first time to attend the opening and to judge the best photo.
The award and prize of $500 and an Akubra hat went to Rebecca Gale for her striking black and white image ‘Strength and Resilience’. Ms Gale, who lost her home in the fires, declined the $500 prize money choosing instead to donate it to the crew presenting the awards.
Ms Gale said her image ‘Strength and Resilience’ was taken on her birthday, November 10 2019, and features her youngest son looking at the remains of their house at Toorooka.
“When I look at this photo it reminds me of how far we have come in 11 months and the strength and resilience of my boys,” she said.
The Disaster Relief Australia team also gave an honourable mention to Adam Dederer for his stunning photo of fires coming over the hill titled ‘She’s Coming Right For Us’.
A People‘s Choice award will also be announced on Tuesday December 1, at the conclusion of the first three stages of the exhibition.
The free exhibition, which opened at Willawarrin Hall, has now moved to Belbrook Hall. It will finish at Sherwood Hall on November 30 and is open to the public every day from 10am – 3pm.
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