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21 November, 2025
First win for Camperdown photographer
A PHOTOGRAPHER who has only recently begun her art journey has taken home a big win at a prestigious art show recently.
Heidi Wane, who has exhibited at the Camperdown Courthouse twice alongside her husband Greg in July 2024 and October 2025, won first prize in the Photography and Digital Media section of the Birregurra Art Show.
The art show was held earlier this month, with Mrs Wane entering three pieces into the show – the winning photograph ‘Chair Person’, ‘Morocco Girl’ and ‘Red Booth’.
She said she was pleased to see ‘Morocco Girl’ and ‘Red Booth’ sold on the art show’s opening night and was quite surprised to take home a win.
“It was quite a surprise to have won because the standard of photography at the Birregurra Show is really high,” she said.
“I’m very new to photography – I’ve only started exhibiting photography in the last couple of years.
“I just use my mobile phone as a camera.
“I’m still gaining confidence, so to have my piece picked above all the others – I don’t know how to put the feeling into words.
“It was a mixture of surprise and shock, and then later pride.”
‘Chair Person’ was taken at Melbourne’s State Library and depicts a man on his phone in a chair with his head hidden.
“They have a section where there are fancy 1960s style chairs where you can sit down and read or relax,” Mrs Wane said.
“I just happened to be intrigued by the chairs and saw a fellow there.
“You couldn’t see his head, which was great, because it was behind the front of the chair and he had his arm out.
“I enjoy street photography – things that are a bit quirky or left-of-centre.
“I took the photo and converted it to black and white to see what it would look like.”
Mrs Wane’s photographs were among 700 entries to the Birregurra Art Show, which included photographs, watercolours, oils, 3D works and more.
“It’s just great a small town like Birregurra can host such a prestigious event,” Mrs Wane said.
“I think that sort of thing is great for the artists in our region.
“It gives us all an opportunity to show our work, which is pretty cool.”
Read More: Camperdown