A special photo exhibition is now on display at the Queenstown Lakes District Council Gorge Road offices QLDC communications manager Meaghan Miller said.

Earlier this year we engaged children from five of our smaller communities and asked them to show us what it was that they liked about the environment in which they lived Ms Miller said.

With the help of local schools three children from each community were armed with a disposable camera and sent forth to capture the things they enjoyed about their urban environment.

It was really a pilot to see what kind of result we would achieve with a view to keeping the photos as a reflection of 2006 and a guide to and record of the urban features enjoyed by the young people of our small communities Ms Miller said.

The results were so outstanding a decision was taken to feature the photographs in the four volumes of the Council Community Plan including the cover photographs.

Astraea Miller 13 of Glenorchy received a book voucher for her school and a beginners Canon camera for presenting the best photo essay.

Astraeas images were really thoughtful and really well executed We have selected several of Astraeas photos to feature in the CCP Ms Miller said.

It was hoped the exercise could be repeated with some senior members of the community.

The photos would be on display until the end of May at which point they would be displayed for a month at Wanaka.

It was hoped the exercise could be repeated in the future possibly working with some senior members of the community.

ENDS

For more information please contact Meaghan Miller 03 441 04499

By: Sarah