Underground photo and video comp winners

Council’s underground carpark was transformed into a ‘hipster, fairy-lit heaven’ on Friday night for the launch of Council’s first digital photo and video competition for young people.

Called Underground, the event was attended by over 100 people, including 40 finalists competing in two age categories for the best photograph and best 15-second film.

Winner of the 15-24 years photo was Lachlan Callendar of Bodalla with his surfing image ‘Leon sliding down the line’ and Moruya’s Thomas Cashin won the junior photo category with his skateboarding shot from the Big Air Tri Series in Broulee.

In the video categories, the junior section was won by Ava Weymans of Moruya with ‘Soccer Sundays’, while Chloe Bobbin of Dalmeny took out the 15-24 year old prize for her footage of fun-filled days in Narooma.

Lachlan and Chloe each won an iphone 6, and Ava and Tom won a cash prize each of $100.

MC for the evening was Council’s youth committee representative Jack Gill, who thanked the entrants for their amazing creative efforts, and congratulated youth committee members and Council staff for organising the competition and the event.

There was live music by local duo The ‘Wrong Crowd’, lots of pizza, chocolate milk, and the Caddy Shack sexual health awareness stall run by Grand Pacific Health and Southern Local Health District.

Mayor Lindsay Brown awarded the prizes before inviting everyone ‘underground’ to see the images and films projected onto the walls of the carpark.

“Everyone loved it!” said Council’s Community Development Coordinator Zoe Morgan. “There were fairy lights, slouchy couches, and happy young people enjoying the creativity of their friends and peers. It really was a wonderful night,” she said. “We’ll definitely do it again next year!”