2 minute read
Stories and pictures
COMMUNITY Snap happy couple take fi rst prize
Gay and Murray Speden
Gay Speden’s shot of the fi repit was chosen as equal fi rst in the People’s Choice Award
After 47 years of marriage, the banter and sense of cheeky fun between Gay and Murray Speden is engaging to be around.
The pair, who separately won the Judge’s and the People’s Choice awards in the recent photography competition held at Halcyon Greens, rib each other as they compare their entries. “Murray is serious about it and he’s got all the gear,” Gay said. “We have been all over the world and Murray has taken some beautiful photos. “I literally just point and shoot with my phone.” Gay’s entry was a joint winner with Nadine Swanney for the People’s Choice category and shows a crackling and shimmering fi re. Murray said: “I may have all the gear but I shot mine on my phone as well.” “I literally got out of bed and walked out to the balcony and saw there was mist, which we don’t get that often. “I thought ‘that’s a great shot.’” Murray’s photographic work often graces Halcyon’s Facebook feed.
Murray Speden’s shot from his balcony across to Gainsborough Greens Golf Course at sunrise was the winner of the Judge’s Award
Nadine Swanney’s shot of the Resort Pool at dusk was chosen as equal fi rst in the People’s Choice Award
Helen Hoff man
HELEN HONES HER CRAFT
Helen Hoff man has combined her dual passions of travel and writing to produce some fascinating and entertaining fi ction which is inspired by real life events.
Her latest eff ort, which took out fi rst prize in the inaugural Halcyon Greens’s Writing Competition takes the reader to the majestic Karijni National Park in Western Australia.
The short story off ers a humourous glimpse at a real life encounter with some immodest German Backpackers. “I love writing,” Helen said. “There are no restrictions in your mind, you can explore anything your imagination comes up with. “The story in ‘Don’t Look’ actually happened”. Helen has taken a number of courses at the Byron Writer’s Centre and has used what she learned to dabble in fi ction and travel blogs. “I like to use historical events and take an artistic license to expand on those stories and make them enjoyable,” she said. The former travel agent and marketing manager has also completed a travel blog and a book for children, which she’s planning to submit to publishers in the hope it might be released.
