General News
30 May, 2025
Camperdown artist shines at Warrnibald
A CAMPERDOWN artist has taken home the top prize from the recent Warrnibald art exhibition.
Warrnibald is an art exhibition with a focus on subjects who have volunteered or significantly donated their time within the Warrnambool, Moyne and Corangamite communities.
Proceeds from the event went towards the Warrnambool and District Community Hospice, which supports residents with life-limiting illnesses to spend their final days at home.
Camperdown’s Harley Manifold took home first prize for his portrait of F Project volunteer Helen Bunyon, meaning he has the choice of $3000 in cash or the opportunity to travel to Italy and study fresco painting with artist Emanuele Capozza.
“Helen Bunyon is a local artist and volunteer at the F Project,” Mr Manifold said.
“She has been a volunteer there for 10 years, and she is incredible – she does an incredible amount of work there as a volunteer.
“She puts in more time and effort as a volunteer than most people would put into a paid position.”
The Warrnibald saw strong representation – from artists and portrait subjects – from the Corangamite Shire.
Among attending artists was Virginia Farley, who painted a portrait of Camperdown resident Judi Oakes.
“There were a lot of people painted from across the area, as well as artists, which was awesome,” Mr Manifold said.
“The more art, the better, and I think the more people, especially volunteers, being represented and shown to the greater public is a fantastic thing.
“It’s such a great cause, the hospice – it’s such an intense thing losing a loved one and being able to have them pass away at home with the care of the hospice is incredible.”
Mr Manifold said he was “incredibly grateful” to have won first prize at the exhibition.
“I was walking in for the opening night, and for a brief second I thought about what I would do if I won it,” he said.
“The prize was amazing – I could either go to Italy and study fresco painting or get $3000 – and I put it out of my head pretty quickly.
“It was pretty spectacular to win it.”
Read More: Camperdown