The inaugural Monaro Farming Systems (MFS) Monaro Farming in Focus photography competition has been a success with more than 80 entries submitted by 25 members. Of these the judges’ winning choice was Miranda McGufficke’s ‘Where’s My Woolly jumper’. Out of 25 entries, 15 photographs were shortlisted for the members’ choice award. Along with being awarded best photo, Miranda also picked up a third in the members’ choice award for her photo ‘Boys Line-Up’. Other winners in this category were: first place, Hannah Marriott - ‘A Little White’; second place, Michelle McGufficke - ‘I Love a Sunburnt Country’. Miranda’s wintry photo was snapped on a day when they were shearing ram lambs. “It was on the morning of the snow storm, during what started out as a sunny, cool June day and ended up becoming a serene winter wonderland,” Miranda said. “Typical Monaro weather, where you can have four seasons in one day. The still silence of the dense snow created a moody yet peaceful background with the rams in their mellow yellow coats standing out in a soft juxtaposition. It perfectly encapsulated the beauty and uniqueness of our Monaro landscape.” Miranda takes photographs using her phone. “I am a very spontaneous photographer, no formal training only a great appreciation for natural beauty and capturing timestamps of things I love. Normally I will be hanging out the door of the ute or climbing on top of a gate if I am mustering sheep or moving them in the yards to get those impromptu photos. “My phone’s photo gallery would be 95 per cent sheep and paddocks of sheep but each new picture is unique as you have little control over the movement of the animals and angle of the landscape – so all pictures are coincidental juxtapositions.” Living on a property there is an unlimited choice of subjects and material to photograph. “I love our beautiful, unique region and have a deep passion for sheep, dogs and our landscape intertwined together, so it feels very natural being able to capture random moments of beauty in my day-to-day life,” Miranda said. “Dad is very patient when I suddenly stop to take a quick three second photo of some sheep and then continue on with the job. I also love taking pictures of my family working together either in the shearing shed or yards. “I find it is important to capture moments of passion and unwavering love that my family shows when working alongside each other and for our animals. I think that is my secret to my photos – authenticity and passionate dedication.” MFS executive officer, Rebecca Kading, said the competition proved extremely popular. “We had an incredible response to our first-ever Monaro Farming in Focus photography competition,” she said. “This year’s theme, ‘Weathering It’, invited entrants to capture everyday moments of farming life on the Monaro shaped by weather and seasonal challenges. “Thank you to everyone who took part and a special congratulations to our winners.” Ms Kading additionally thanked those who voted and local business, Boyce Chartered Accountants, for supporting the competition. “MFS’s first competition of this kind proved to be a wonderful way to celebrate farming life on the Monaro and showcase the creativity within the local farming community,” Ms Kading said.
