The Mingenew Project has been an absolute success. I am still reeling from the final week of media, exhibition and farewells.
We must acknowledge the beauty of this project's journey. It all started as a calling from the heart of a community member, Jocelyn Morgan and has resulted in a diverse group of people being brought together through the experience of photography. The photography delivers different things to different people, whether it be a new hobby to master, a way of rediscovering our environment and home or a catalyst for conversation and friendship - it has delivered. I received so much feedback from people, highlighting their appreciation of these different aspects.
That is the beauty of community projects, they never do one simple thing, they start things, they go wherever they go - places you might not expect, but it takes your enthusiasm, your spirit and your uniqueness to make it a success.
So thank you for giving me one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, on both a personal and professional level. I will hold Mingenew dear and be grateful that I was able to immerse myself in your community (and into your homes) for an entire month. You have wonderful things where you live, I hope you never forget that.
I will be making 100 DVDs of the slideshow (with some special features!) that will be left at the Mingenew Shire. Please collect your free copy from June 16 onwards.
Here is some exciting media we got:
ABC Video on Mingenew Project by Bloke on a Bike, Drew Radford.
And here are the final photographs that you haven't seen online and that were a part of the exhibition...
I wish to write something profound....
I can't... I just cry. What a
wonderful,intense,indulgent month. So many thank yous and for once I am really beyond words............thankyou
I loved the photos that show the true community spirit of your town. It has certainly been a terrific project and congratulations to everyone involved.
I'm in a local camera club and know what a joy it is to work with others as we attempt to tell our story in pictures.
Well done ..... Robyn Brown Greensborough Vic
These photos are beautiful. I particularly like Jocelyn Morgan's amazing picture of the trees and sky, and Lyn Rheinlander's spectacular photo of the two boys. Brilliant. And they make me wanna visit Mingenew! I hope the photography and capturing of soul continues. Thanks for sharing them. Andrew.
Hi Nat, greetings from Tanzania. So I've just found out about the Mingenew Project and I've been looking at the site's front page for less than 5 minutes and I'm already crying partly from homesickness but mainly because I am so proud of everyone's great work... wow - great job everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the project as much as I will enjoy looking at your art. I'll have to sneak back in the office later to look over the whole site and cry in comfort!
I live in a small community and when I read about this project in Wellbeing magazine, I couldn't wait to look it up.
This is totally one of the most beautiful and inspirational photographic galleries I have ever had the good fortune to view.
My congratulations to the Mingenew community and to Natalija.