Chevron Focus Environment competition: WA school students capture awesome array of shots

West Australian school students have excelled once again in an annual photographic contest that celebrates WA’s unique biodiversity and helps young people to appreciate the natural environment as well as better understand the importance of protecting and managing it.

Participants from across the State submitted almost 900 photos in the Chevron Focus Environment competition — which has been running annually for nearly 20 years — in three categories: WA’s Native Species, Sustainability in WA, and WA’s Habitats and Ecosystems.

Captions and photos together should convey a meaningful environmental message, so judges consider both elements equally when determining who the winners should be. Students from kindergarten to Year 12 captured an impressive collection of images, hoping to secure a first, second or third place in one of the four age groups.

Lyn Beazley, Chief Scientist of WA from 2006 to 2013 and one of the competition’s judges said her role during that period reinforced her view of how important it is to engage young people and encourage their love of the environment.

“I love this program that engages students at all stages of their school journey,” Beazley said. “The program encourages an inclusive approach that we know from feedback really stimulates and excites so many students and helps build their confidence as well as generating a cohort of young people who in future will cherish and help protect our precious environment.“

Winning students and their schools shared $25,000 prize money. Congratulations to all winners and special mentions to John Calvin Christian College Kelmscott whose students won four prizes, and to John Calvin Christian College Armadale, Quinns Rock Primary School and All Saints College, which had three award winners each.

The prestigious Harry Butler Award — initiated to honour passionate West Australian naturalist and environmental consultant, Harry Butler, who supported the Chevron Focus Environment competition until his death in 2015 — is presented to one finalist every year who uses photography and words to raise environmental awareness and understanding. The winner receives a $500 cash prize. This year’s winner is Year 10 student Ebony Barker from the Western Australian College of Agriculture in Denmark.

The Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award acknowledges students who demonstrate a connection with WA’s biodiversity and also show promise in their ability to express themselves through photography.

See the winning pictures and captions at https://mediaeducation.com.au/focus.