Australian National Botanic Gardens Growing, studying and promoting Australian plants
	GPO Box 1777 Canberra ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA	Telephone (02) 6250 9546 Facsimile (02) 62509599 Media enquiries: Paul Ziesing (M) 0418 955 661

Friends of the Botanic Gardens award student photographers

This weekend the Australian National Botanic Gardens will display entries in the eighth annual photographic competition run by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Prize winners will be announced on Saturday 23 October, at 11.00am in the Gardens' theatrette.

Students from 11 schools submitted 250 entries in the six categories this year. The number of entries is a record since the competition was launched in 1997.

"The competition provides an important opportunity for students to increase awareness of the value and beauty of Australian native plants" said Mr Andrew Walker, President of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

The competition is open to students from High Schools and Colleges throughout the ACT, and all entries must feature some aspect of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, such as plants, wildlife, scenery or visitors.

All entries will be displayed in the Dickson Room during the weekend. Winning entries in each category will be displayed in the foyer opposite the Visitor Centre from Monday 25 October.

Winning entries from previous years can be viewed on the Friends' web site at: www.anbg.gov.au/friends. The Friends of the Botanic Gardens information leaflet and membership application also features the winning black and white photograph from the 2001 competition.

The Friends support group aims to increase community awareness of the scientific, educational, recreational and conservation functions of the Gardens.

For further information call the Visitor Centre (02) 6250 9540.

22 October 2004

Media contact:
Paul Ziesing
Communications Officer
Australian National Botanic Gardens
(02) 6250 9546 and 0418 955 661
paul.ziesing@deh.gov.au