Photos to Celebrate the Importance and Beauty of Rocks in the Murchison

Organisers of the Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest are calling for submissions of photos which celebrate the beauty and importance of rocks in the ancient Murchison region.

The photos will be displayed in the Murchison Geo Photo Exhibition, as part of the festival weekend which includes stargazing, talks from scientists, a visit from SciTech, and more over the weekend of May 13 and 14.

Last year’s rock photography exhibition included some 40 entries from around the region and was a popular addition to the festival program.

Mount Magnet Shire CEO, Warren Olsen said the Murchison was home to some of the most ancient rocks on the planet.

Warren said these rocks formed spectacular landscapes, and helped shape the history of the Murchison.

“Indigenous people in the Murchison region created rock art galleries and used rock ‘signposts’ to communicate with each other across space and time,” Warren said.

“They used rocks to grind seed and ochre and make tools. And rocks were vital holders of water in this dry landscape as naturally formed rock holes and gnamma holes.

Warren said rocks were just as important to Europeans, who used rocks to create outback hot water systems known as ‘donkeys’, fire-places and tanks and troughs at windmill sites.

“They also used rocks to create shelters and infrastructure for everything from shepherd huts, homesteads, shearing sheds, churches and chimneys to public buildings, road-works and railways,” Warren said.

“Rocks have been lifted, shifted and re-organised for living, working, mining and simply enjoying the Murchison region.”

Please email your photo entries (maximum of five per person), along with your name and contact detailsto hello@eventnation.com.au, before 4pm April 29.

Photos received after this date will not be accepted.

While copyright remains with photographer, the photos downloaded and displayed will remain property of Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest for display at the 2016 and future Astro Rocks Festivals.

The photos will go in the running for a ‘most popular photo’ prize as voted by the public.

For any queries relating to this exhibition or the 2016 Mount Magnet Astro Rock Fest please contact the event coordinators at Event Nation by email gina@eventnation.com.au or phone 08 99646088.