Photo and poetry competition is themed love rural

A photo and poetry competition themed Love Rural has gotten underway, with the theme being about what it's like living in rural Australia.

The competition aims to illustrate the beauty of rural areas in the country and celebrate the strength and character of rural communities.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council mayor Bob Kirk, who thought this would be a great opportunity to show off Goulburn to the rest of the country, had suggestions on what photos could be taken.

Read also: An upgrade in learning: NSW School Curriculum to be reformed

"If I joined the competition, I would take a picture of something that typifies the life that we enjoy in the country like open space and uncongested living," Cr Kirk said.

"I would also consider taking an aerial shot from Rocky Hill which would show the surrounding countryside and all the trees we have."

Run by the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA), in conjunction with Friends of the Alliance, NRHA chief executive officer Dr Gabrielle O'Kane said this was a chance for any amateur photographers and poets to showcase the beauty of rural life and their communities.

Read also: Planning gets underway for new aged care facility

"This has been a tough year for many people in rural, regional and remote Australia with drought, bushfires, floods, and now COVID-19," Dr O'Kane said.

"One thing it has shown is that rural communities are as vibrant and strong as ever and that rural Australia remains a great place to live and work.

"What better way to show that than through photos and poetry?"

Some ideas for the entries include showcasing personal experiences with drought, flood or bushfires or how communities coped with isolation and social distancing during COVID-19.

Read also: 'Girls Kickin' up the Country' supporting and empowering rural women

"We hope the competition will be a chance for people across the country to show what life in rural Australia means to you, either by picking up the camera or putting pen to paper," Dr O'Kane said.

"It's also a chance for us to highlight the links between the arts and health, both in terms of the positive impacts of the arts on physical and mental health, but also the way the arts can be a force for community development and help us to create healthier rural communities."

Entries close on Friday, August 31.

For more information and conditions, go to https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/friends/photo-poetry-2020

The NRHA is a non-government organisation aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of people in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.