Charge your batteries, load your film or memory card and get ready to start snapping – the annual Maroondah City Council Photographic Competition is now open.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, invited the community to capture what Maroondah meant to them and submit their images to the competition.

“Whether you’re a keen photographer or simply enjoy taking photos, the annual photo competition is a great opportunity to showcase your creative skills and highlight the many fantastic areas of Maroondah,” Cr Makin said.

“Favourite places, special landmarks, the great outdoors, happy families, sporting shots and artistic creations are all popular choices,” Cr Makin said.

Entries will be judged over three age categories and all images will be in the running for the Mayor’s Encouragement Award. Categories include open (18 years and over), intermediate (13-17 years), junior (up to 12 years) and the Mayor’s Encouragement Award (all ages).

There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs. Winner of the open section will receive a gift voucher from Croydon Camera House to the value of $300, with the runner-up receiving three Hoyts La Premiere double passes.

A $200 gift voucher from Croydon Camera House will be awarded to winner of the intermediate section, with four Hoyts movie passes and one La Premiere double pass for the runner-up.

The junior section winner will receive a $100 gift voucher from Croydon Camera House, with the runner-up receiving four Hoyts movie passes.

Winner of the Mayor’s Encouragement Award will receive an Eastland Shopping Centre voucher to the value of $200.

“Up to three photos can be entered per person, so you can afford to be creative. Maroondah is full of possibilities, so make full use of your imagination,” Cr Makin said.

This year’s Maroondah Photographic Competition entries will be on show at Maroondah Art Gallery, Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood from Thursday 1 July to Saturday 24 July.

The Mayor will present the prizes during the first week of the exhibition and each entrant will receive an invitation by mail to attend the awards presentation.

The prizes have kindly been donated by Croydon Camera House, Hoyts Eastland, and Eastland Shopping Centre. The competition is proudly supported by the Maroondah Journal.

Closing date for entries is 15 June and photos must have been taken after 1 July 2009.

Entry forms are available from Croydon and Ringwood libraries, Croydon Camera House, Eastland Shopping Centre, Hoyts Eastland and Council’s service centres at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood; Civic Square, Croydon and Level 2, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood.