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Colourful guitars, vibrant community

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Winter Blues Guitar decorating winners and their masterpieces at the awards night. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival is a celebration that brings the whole community together, and everyone is welcome to be part of it.

And one way that everyone gets involved is by decorating cutout guitars.

The colourful, hand-decorated guitars are then judged by a panel, with ribbons awarded to standout entries, before the guitars are proudly displayed in businesses across the participating Winter Blues areas.

Now it's your turn.

Head out and take part in the guitar treasure hunt by tracking down all the beautifully decorated guitars on display in the windows of businesses supporting the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival.

This year's ribbon presentation was held at the Echuca library on Wednesday, July 22, marking a highlight of the festival calendar.

A presentation to the Glanville winners was also made on Wednesday, with committee member Maryanne Elkin heading along.

2026 award winners

Adult (20+ years): Maryann Jenkins, 1; Kristine Briggs, 2; Katie Favero, 3

Glanville Village aged care: Ann Dick, 1; Muriel Day, 2; Pat Grano Dove, 3

10-15 years: Isabell Thornton, 1; Isabelle Laylor, 2; Archer Roberts 3

6-9 years: Heidi, 1; Emerson Bohan, 2; Riley Case, 3. Highly commended, Jimmy Cashin, Isabell Frazer, Moira.

Riv photographer Jordan Townrow headed along to the presentations and snapped some photos of the creative works and their makers.

Heidi Mackinlay, winner of the 6-9 years category, with her take on landscape music. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Isabelle Laylor was second in the 10 to 15 years category. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Riley Case was third in the 6-9 years category with her ‘Stary stary swim’ design. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Katie Favero was third in the adult category with ‘Notes over the bridge’. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Maryann Jenkins, winner of the adult category with a ‘Homage to Guy’. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Isabell Frazer was highly commended in 6-9 years category with ‘Purple notes’. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Moira Zealley was highly commended in 6-9 years category with a her sunflower guitar. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Isabell Thornton took out the 10-15 years category with her flower masterpiece. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival partnerships Maryanne Elkin was impressed with the range of entries Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Glanville Village resident Ann Dick won the category with her butterflies. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Glanville Village Winter Blues guitar decorating winners (from left) Pat Grano Dove, Ann Dick and Muriel Day with (back) Maryanne Elkin. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Glanville Village resident Muriel Day came second with a traditional touch. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Glanville Village resident Pat Grano Dove was third with her work of art in blue. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW
Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival partnerships Maryanne Elkin at Glanville. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW