LIFE & STYLE

The Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley recently ran a photo competition to encourage locals and visitors to take advantage of the beautiful Hawkesbury by capturing a photo and entering in one of the three categories available .

The response to the competition was overwhelming and there were some great entries . All entries were judged by Mauro Risch who is an award-winning photographer specialising in hospitality and lifestyle photos and who has been involved in the world of Photography since the age of 13 . Mauro loves the chance of telling stories through the images he creates . A lot of warm and vibrant colours are the unmistakable elements of Mauro ’ s style . Hotels and resorts have become a major subject in his photographic life , shooting for the hospitality industry in the Asia-Pacific Region and in South America . There were three categories up for judging : 1 . BEST HOTEL PHOTO which was judged on capturing how it feels to stay / or visit the Crowne Plaza , the best photo had to capture the ability to express the feeling of a moment that a guest or visit to the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley . Winner : Lillian Verkroost- Clark .

2 . BEST HOLIDAY SELFIE were judged on their creativity and needed to be unique and taken in the grounds of the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley . Winner : Morgan Costa .

3 . The final category was BEST LOCAL ATTRACTION photo and this was judged on an attraction or natural wonder within 45 mins from the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley . It was judged on its ability to show people and capture what makes Hawkesbury an incredible place to stay and play . Winner : Anna Pijaca . Photo taken at Pinecrest Orchid Bilpin

The winners were awarded a weekend escape at the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley which included two nights ’ accommodation in a luxurious one bedroom balcony suite , daily gourmet buffet breakfast ; high tea for two ; a dinner in the Harvest Restaurant ; nightly cocktails in the Barracks Bar ; and two spa dreaming rituals at Villa Thalgo . Each prize was valued at over $ 2000 . Congratulations to all winners !

The state government has kicked in $ 3.3 million towards the construction of the Fernadell Park sports development .

Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston announced the successful grant last week ( 29 June ). Council will contribute an additional $ 1.68 million , which enables council to build Stage 1 of the approximately $ 11 million project .

Ms Preston said the funding , from the Multi-sport Community Facility program , provides for modern , inclusive and accessible sporting facilities for the electorate . “ This funding will modernise facilities for local clubs , associations and councils , and enable more local residents to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation ,” she said .

Hawkesbury City Council Deputy Mayor Barry Calvert said the council welcomed the grant .

“ We ’ re very excited to be partnering with the state government to deliver Fernadell Park to the people of Pitt Town and beyond .”

“ Fernadell Park will be an exciting inclusion to the growing village of Pitt Town and a must-visit park in the Hawkesbury ,” Cr Calvert said .

Deputy Mayor Barry Calvert , Hawkesbury MP Robyn Preston and Council ’ s general manager Elizabeth Richardson at the Fernadell Park site .

The funding will enable the construction of :

• Sporting fields that can be configured to accommodate winter and summer sports , cricket nets , three multi-use courts , irrigation and lighting ;

• Ancillary facilities including sports amenities building , paths , landscaping , fencing and terraced spectator seating .

Council is in the final stages of completing its Masterplan for Fernadell Park . When completed , Fernadell Park will include :

• New multi-purpose fields for football and cricket

• Multi-use sports courts

• Sports lighting

• Provision for off street parking

• Accessible toilets and change rooms suitable for female and male players

• Kiosk / equipment storage

• Integrated community space and public accessible toilets

• District level inclusive play space

• Shelters , barbeque amenities , and associated items

• Outdoor fitness equipment

• Youth facility

• Integrated community centre , to allow for the provision of multiple community resources .

WINNER Best Holiday Selfie

WINNER Best Hotel Photo LILLIAN VERKROOST-CLARK

MORGAN COSTA

WINNER Best Local Attraction Photo ANNA PIJACA

THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 146 // JULY 2022 17