Jan Mackenzie, winning author.
In a world that feels “a tad fractious” right now, the Cambridge Autumn Festival offers time for reflection and a good toast of fun.
Concerts, bands, dance, children’s events, comedy, art and photo exhibitions an art trail, hands on workshops, literary events and more.
That is how Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan summed up the 2024 version of the festival which she opened in the Cambridge Town Hall last week.
Waipa mayor Susan O’Regan opens the Cambridge Autumn Festival watched by Lynn Waters from the Cambridge Arts Society, right, deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk and festival chair Alana Mackay. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
“This festival is fantastic in that it offers and celebrates diversity, and it includes lots of family friendly and low cost events,” she said, It also offered a programme mayors like her appreciated during the current challenges in local government.
Winners of the short story and photograph competitions were announced with Cambridge scooping the pool in each.
Leamington’s Jan Mackenzie became the first Waipa author to win the short story competition – which attracted a record 202 entries – since it began 12 years ago when 52 entered.
The theme this year was The Dilemma and her story Harry Gone Away looked at a twist in a violent relationship.
See: Harry Gone Away
Judges Venetia Sherson, left, and Denise Irvine, right, with winning author Jan Mackenzie. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Judges Venetia Sherson, Denise Irvine, Hamish Wright and Jill Carter said Mackenzie’s story was “beautifully portrayed” with a clever story line and very well-presented dilemma.
“There’s no wallowing, but the sparse language, understating, speaks volumes – very effective. Beautiful use of language,” one judge said.
Mackenzie came second in 2013.
“They’ve all got a little bit of me in them. Sometimes I write about quite terrible things but by doing the proofread it’s lost its power, and it then becomes story.”
Guests at the Autumn Festival Launch. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Jane Thompson won the open photography competition with her photo of niece Bridget Burmester, husband Dane and four-year-old son Blue on the slide at Karāpiro Domain.
“I can’t tell you how many times we went up and down that slide,” she said.
Judges described the theme Capture your Waipā Adventure a difficult topic, but Thompson said she was spoiled for choice.
“I’ve got so many photos of my family (in Waipā). Cambridge is a great place to take photos.”
Valentina, 13 and in year 9 at Cambridge High School, took out the youth category with her photo of cousin Nina Di Maio at Lake Karāpiro.
Cambridge Art Society’s three-day art exhibition and sale was also unveiled during the launch. Hundreds of well-known New Zealand artists featured in the free display which closed on Sunday.
Two photographic displays in the hall wrap up later today (Thursday) – the Reg Buckingham collection and Michael Jeans’ exhibition.
See: Winners announced
Winners are grinners, from left Jane Thompson, Valentina Di Maio and Jan Mackenzie. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
