Media Release

Akaroa Village Inn Developer wins Akaroa Photography Competition

An avid photographer with strong links to Akaroa has won the Akaroa District Promotions 2014 Photographic Competition - 'Akaroa. If you love…summer’.

Since the early 1980s, Dr Newell Grenfell has been a familiar sight on the Peninsula with a camera around his neck. He developed the Akaroa Village Inn on the former Bruce Hotel site, in partnership with Mr Merv Cooper.

His winning image, chosen from 238 entries, was of cyclists on the beach at Okains Bay.

“Our family - including four grandchildren - came over from Australia,” he said. “We wanted to give them a taste of the Peninsula. The weather wasn’t great for the first couple of days, but it then cleared and was beautiful. The cyclist picture was made just as the cloud lifted.”

Grenfell is one of the country’s best known amateur photographers. He is Patron and a Life Member of the Christchurch Photographic Society, one of the country’s oldest and largest clubs. He is also a Life Member of the national body, The Photographic Society of New Zealand. He is a PSNZ-accredited judge and has won numerous awards at club and national level.

He sold the Village Inn in 1994 but still has a great fondness for the area. On his next visit, he and his wife will enjoy a studio unit at the Akaroa Top 10 Holiday Park for three nights as part of the competition prize. He will also enjoy a cruise with Black Cat Cruises, wine from The Little Bistro and a voucher to spend at Lava Gallery.

Akaroa District Promotions Executive Officer Hollie Hollander said, “We were overwhelmed by the number of photos that were entered, and most grateful to all the judges and generous sponsors who made this competition such a success.” Other sponsors were The Blue Pearl Gallery and Vangionis Trattoria & Bar.

The junior section was won by Akaroa local Evie Smith with her image of the Akaroa beach.

END

Notes for Editors:

The Akaroa Summer Photographic Competition is held biannually.

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