Pub commandant Stephen Hunt has tempted Newcastle region locals to Shoot Your Local, offering $5,000 cash for capturing the heart of Hunter pubs.
The competition welcomed both amateur and professional contenders residing in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens regions, targeting local watering holes.
Entrants were asked to snatch photographic depiction celebrating beauty they beheld, whether in people or places, food and bev or striking architecture.
Hoteliers Stephen and Fidelma Hunt collaborated with Newcastle Art Space for the community-focused competition. They also formed half the judging panel, alongside Max Mason-Hubers, photo-journalist for the Newcastle Herald, and local photographer James Murphy.
“It’s a community thing,” explains Stephen. “Now I’m in a position and have time to do more things I want to do, I wanted to encourage people to get involved in more art in the local area.
“We’re a real people-focused company so I would love to see some photos of local barflies … chefs working … and I also love the architecture of the old hotels.”
Entries closed last week, with the competition judging held Friday night at the Hunts’ Duke of Wellington.
Topping a strong showing was Canon-wielding Novocastrian photography enthusiast Solomon Wilks, taking the cash prize and a big cheque from Hunt Hospitality.
Stephen hints the competition, deemed a major success by all involved, will likely be revisited and expanded as early as later this year.
