“Blue Horizons”, Wyn Jones' Photographic Exhibition- Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of
Blue Mountains National Park, August 29th to September 20th, 10am - 4pm, Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, Bells Line of Road, free after Garden Entry

It was September 25^th 1969 when the Blue Mountains National Park was Gazetted. At the heart of the Park is the unique Blue Gum Forest recently burnt in the fire of November 2006. This September there is a Call to Arms for all conservationists, the communities of the Blue Mountains and the People of the Little Tents bushwalkers and the like, to celebrate. If you are like me there is always reason to celebrate the great natural areas and their inhabitants, not only on important milestones but every year and every day – but more of that later.

There will be two events this September to hale the 50th Anniversary; The Golden Gumnut Postal Run which is a 19 day bush and town walk and a photographic exhibition “Blue Horizons”.

The images displayed in “Blue Horizons” cover the core part of the Blue Mountains National Park, that very special place, the Bluegum Forest. This is recognised by many as the “Cradle of Conservation” where in 1932 the magnificent stand of Blue Gums was saved from likely destruction. But the Forest was saved for ever and the event needs to be constantly remembered so that newer generations may hold the occasion and the place sacred.

My personal contribution is to display images of the Blue Gum Forest and Upper Grose Valley so that people will understand the feeling I experience when I am out there, and to communicate the passion which I have for the place and the “others”, the myriad of species which make the Blue Mountains their home. So it is through the medium of film photography that I am making this gift that has grown in me over my lifetime of association within this giant “Bushroom”. I have photographed this area for over 40 years with the oldest print being nearly 30 year old. Some have been photographed since the 2006 fire with the views of the valley from Govetts Leap showing the place in its different moods. Some of the images took numerous visits to obtain, waiting for the light, the clouds, and the wind to do their bit, just like conservation really where patience pays but you must be ever alert.

Each of the large scale images are Cibachrome prints form the original film. They are permanently mounted between aluminium and perspex for longevity.

“Blue Horizons” will be opened at Mt Tomah on August 29^th at 2 PM by the Hon Mr Bob Debus Member for Macquarie. The Exhibition runs until September 20^th 2009. Most images are on sale and smaller prints may be ordered.

Wyn Jones