READERS still have a chance to win in our Paddock Bashers competition, simply by voting on the 10 finalist photographs.
The finalists are in the running to win one of two major prize packs.
Readers can vote for their favourite and go into a draw to win one of two reader prize packs comprising an Akubra Cattleman’s hat, valued at $175, plus merchandise from The Land, valued at more than $100.
However, you need to buy a copy of the paper to be in with a chance to win the reader prize – online votes will still count towards the photo competition winner.
The photo entry judged best by The Land staff and another one judged best by readers will each receive a swag from Goodwoods Saddlery, valued at $300, and an Akubra Cattleman’s hat, valued at $175.
Several of the vehicles in our finalists had moved from farm to farm, waiting to be lovingly restored to their former glory, while others had been repaired as only bush mechanics can do.
Take the finalist entry from Des Ryan, “Pine Dale”, Gidginbung.
“This is our farm ute for use when the going gets tough. It started life as a VW Beetle and is now part VW Beetle, VW Combi, Land Rover, Holden, Ford Falcon, Toyota, Corrolla, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Landcruiser and Datsun plus a few home-made bits,” he said.
Some of the entries have become features in their own right in the house paddock, such as the finalist entry from Kathy Robins, Thirlmere, who wrote: “You can't trust the state rail so my hubby built me my own railway station around our Morris commercial truck”.
Today’s featured finalists also include Kristen Whitby, Queanbeyan, whose photo titled My Buddy and I is of a 1954 Land Rover named Ripper, that has been family-loved and owned for 30 years. The Land liked the attitude shown by Mary Kay, “Booleringa”, Warren – the mother of Robina Robertson, Dalby, Queensland, who took a photo of a 1944 Ford Jailbar bought from a property in Albert, NSW, then taken to Mrs Kay's farm.
“Mum is saying, ‘No more!’,” Robina said.
Our fifth finalist today is William Asquith, who wrote: “Our 1990 Holden Rodeo has served us well”.
The Land liked how it drew inspiration from the great 1930 artwork American Gothic, painted by Grant Wood.
Culling the hundreds of photos down to just 10 was a tough ask for The Land staff.
Many fine photos just missed out and it was evident our readers went to a lot of trouble.
Now it’s time to vote, and readers can tell us which of the 10 photos listed below is their favourite.
The winners will be published in The Land on Thursday, February 4.
