In July 2006, the Central West Astronomical Society's astrophotography exhibition and competition was held again as part of the CWAS AstroFest. Amateur astronomers and photographers from around Australia were invited to take part in the exhibition and to submit their astrophotographs for consideration in the prestigious "David Malin Awards". The exhibited photographs represent the very best of those received. This year's competition had three categories of entry: Wide-field (camera shots), Deep Sky (telescope shots) and Solar System objects. The photographs were judged in two sections, one for amateurs and one for semi-professionals. The photographs were judged by world-renowned astrophotographer, Dr David Malin, without David being aware of the identity of the photographers. The winners were presented with the "David Malin Awards" at a special Civic Reception held in the Coventry Room of the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre in the presence of invited dignitaries, during the CWAS AstroFest on 15 July 2006. The judged photographs are being exhibited for the entire month of July in the CSIRO Parkes Observatory's Visitors Centre. The exhibition will then tour the country to selected venues beginning with Sydney Observatory in August, followed by Mt Stromlo Observatory, Ballarat Observatory, Melbourne Planetarium and Brisbane Planetarium. Last year, the exhibition was viewed by 40,000 people with even more expected to view it this year. The images will feature in "Australian Sky and Telescope", "The New Sky and Space" and "Australian Photography" magazines. It was not just technical skill that was awarded. The prizes went to pictures that captured the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy in an aesthetically pleasing manner. |
The 2006 Exhibition at the CSIRO's Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre
Photo Copyright: John Sarkissian |
Photo Copyright: John Sarkissian |
Photo Copyright: John Sarkissian |
Photo Copyright: John Sarkissian |
Photo Copyright: John Sarkissian |
The Competition - Category Winners
The Competition - Honorable Mentions
The Presentations
The winners were presented with the awards by David Malin himself, at a special civic reception held in the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre in the presence of invited dignitaries, during the CWAS AstroFest on July 15, 2006. The dignitaries included the Mayor of Parkes, Robert Wilson OAM; Professor Ron Ekers, the President of the International Astronomical Union; Dr John Reynolds, Officer-in-Charge of the CSIRO's Parkes Observatory; and Professor Malcolm Walter of Macquarie University's Australian Centre for Astrobiology. The Hon. Dawn Fardell, MP (State Member for Dubbo) was also present to congratulate the winners.
The category winners were: Peter Ward, Eddie Trimarchi, (semi-professional section), and Michael Sidonio, Gary Hill and Zac Pujic (amateur section). The standard of entries was so high that David Malin also awarded honorable mentions to Maurice Valimberti, Steve Crouch and Peter Sayers. These award winners represent entries from across Australia (NSW, Qld, ACT, Vic. and Tas.). Congratulations to them all. The overall winner of the 2006 CWAS David Malin Awards was Peter Ward for his eclipse sequence photograph of the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006. The competition was proudly supported by Canon Australia, who provided prizes to the value of $5,000. Each of the category winners won either a Canon Digital IXUS wireless camera or a Canon PowerShot S3IS digital camera. The prize for the overall winner was a Canon EOS 350D SLR Camera Kit. The quality of the images was of an incredibly high standard and a testament to the great skill and talent of Australian astrophotographers. All of the entries submitted and received were exhibited at the Parkes Observatory for the entire month of July, ensuring that every photograph had a showing. A core group of the very finest images has been selected to tour the country in exhibition form to various venues, beginning with Sydney Observatory in August and followed by Mt Stromlo Observatory, Ballarat Observatory, Melbourne Planetarium and Brisbane Planetarium. Last year's touring exhibition was a resounding success, with 40,000 people viewing the exhibition. Many more are expected to view this year's exhibition. So, start preparing your astrophotos for the 2007 David Malin Awards, and share with the wider public your enthusiasm for the grandeur and beauty of astronomy.
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Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute |
Maurice Valimberti | Gary Hill | Peter Sayers |
Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute |
Michael Sidonio | Steve Crouch | Eddie Trimarchi |
The Category winners received prizes of either a Canon Digital IXUS wireless camera or a Canon PowerShot S3IS digital camera
from CWAS President, Bishop Christopher Toohey.
Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute |
Eddie Trimarchi | Michael Sidonio | Gary Hill |
Photo Copyright: Denis Crute | Photo Copyright: Alan Dyer | Photo Copyright: Denis Crute |
Peter Ward Received the Perpetual Trophy as the OVERALL WINNER
In addition, Peter received the grand prize of a Canon EOS 350D SLR Twin Lens Kit A (RRP $1,598).
Congratulations to all the winners!
So, start preparing your astrophotos for the 2007 David Malin Awards, and share with the wider public your enthusiasm for the grandeur and beauty of astronomy.
The 2006 CWAS "David Malin Awards" was proudly supported by Canon Australia