The Fantastic Fungi competition is a collaboration between the Manjimup Art Gallery and the Manjimup Photo Club to showcase the stunning range of fungi growing in the Southern Forests area. All of the entries together with the winning photos will be on display at the Manjimup Art Gallery, Cnr Rose and Mount Streets from 17 to 30 August 2019.
The Manjimup Photo Club staged its inaugural Fungi Photographic competition in July 2018. The overwhelming response convinced the Club that the competition should be conducted annually. This year it has drawn many local entrants as well as photography clubs in the area and throughout the State.
Although fungi can fruit throughout the year, it is during the winter months that they are found in abundance in the South West thanks to a range of factors including reliable rainfall and ample forest litter. During this period fungi fruit in open fields, on lawns, on dead wood, live trees and among the litter of local forests.
The Southern Forests area boasts hundreds of species of fungi, many more are yet to be discovered or named. Fungi are an important contributor to the health of local ecosystems. Many bushland plants and animals would struggle to survive without them. Fungal networks act as root systems and extract, recycle and distribute nutrients from the soil and supply them to plants. They are also an important food source for animals like bandicoots and woylies as well as many beetles and flies.
Viewers of all ages will be astonished by the sheer volume and variety of fungi growing in the area and enchanted with their exquisite beauty. Whether fascinated by the discerning eye of the photographer or the uniqueness of the subject, the Fantastic Fungi exhibition will provide a 'fun-gi(de)' to this prolific species in our area.
