The art exhibition was held at the Melton Visitor Information Centre and was part of the Sustainable Living Festival, Australia's largest and oldest sustainability festival.

As well as the artworks submitted by the artists to be judged for awards, there was also an extension display of photographs demonstrating the wide diversity of wildlife, vegetation, wildflowers, trees and landscapes to be found both in and around Melton. These included photos of local snakes, insects, lizards, frogs, birds, vegetation, stone tools, river gorges etc.

There was a magnificent set of local wildflower photos taken by local photographer Nora Peters.

The artworks were judged by leading botanical illustrator Dolores Skowronski –Malloni.

Dolores has studied art in Argentina and Australia and currently teaches at the Geelong Botanical Gardens, organised by the Friends of Geelong Botanical Gardens. Three of Dolores' original works are held in the State Botanical Collection at the National Herbarium of Victoria. Original paintings are in private collections in Australia and overseas.  Dolores was awarded Gold and Silver Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society, London.  Dolores was commissioned by Wyndham City Council to produce a calendar of Australian plants, Christmas cards and prints of Australian trees.

Examples of Dolores’ work can be viewed on:
http://www.botanicalartsocietyaustralia.com/Dolores%20Skowronski-Malloni.htm; and
http://www.drawnnature.com/dolores-skowronski-malloni.html;

First Prize was awarded to Judy Allen for her photograph ‘Pinkerton Forest in the Mist’. Judy received a four day Botanical Art Beginner Workshop (valued at $350).

Dolores also decided to award a Highly Recommended award to Florence Roche for her drawing of a Scarlet Robin.

Judy and Florence each received a commemorative glass plaque, by Wathaurong Glass. 

There was also a Peoples’ Choice award, judged by visitors to the exhibition over the month of February. The popular choice for this award was also Florence Roche. However, there was a close race between Florence Roche and Veronica Schwartz, with only one vote separating them!

It was also decided to award Junior Encouragement awards to the two children who submitted artworks. They were awarded to Thomas Sell (aged 6) for his texta drawing of a Superb Lyrebird and to Alexandra Newman (aged 12) for her drawing of an Owl.

On Wednesday 6th February Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group hosted an awards ceremony at the Melton Visitor Information Centre. Awards were presented to the prize winners by Melton Mayor Cr Bob Turner.

This inaugural exhibition was not a large one, but has been acknowledged as a success, especially as this was PLEG’s first venture into an entirely unfamiliar field. Hopefully this will help showcase the talents of local environmental artists, as well as displaying the wide diversity of Melton’s natural environment, including some of our magnificent birdlife and other native wildlife. The Melton Visitor Centre proved an excellent venue due to its position in the middle or town, and having the Information Centre Volunteers on hand during the day.

Many thanks to

City of Melton
Sustainable Living Festival
Western Water
Fiona Halse (Melton Visitor Centre Support Officer)
Information Centre Volunteers
Bob Turner (Melton Mayor)