[EddieT (Eddie)]

Hi all,
We just got back from Parkes and our second 12-hour drive in three days. Wrecked I can tell you! But what a great night, they get better every time.

The first awards were given to the first three overall winners 2004-2006, who received the Galileo bust that didn't start being awarded until 2007.

That was a really nice gesture on the part of CWAS, in honor of the IYA2009. In order of year, they were Geoff Wyatt, yours truly and Peter Ward.

After that, I think I spent the rest of the night in a blur, staring at Galileo, but I'll try and remember the results as best I can. If I get any wrong I hope someone will quickly appear to correct me!

The amateur deep sky winner and winner overall for 2009 was Gary Hill for his magnificent image of the LMC.

Terry Cuttle won the Twilight theme award for his incredible Total eclipe over the great Wall image, that fittingly, went APOD the day of the CWAS awards!

Phil Hart, won the amateur widefield category for...I'm not sure which image now, he had several great ones and also was awarded several honorable mentions.

I was very fortunate to have pipped Peter Ward at the post for the Semi-professional category, after spending a couple of weeks convinced that my Southern Cross mosaic had no chance against his excellent Rosette image which was awarded an honourable mention, as well as his beautiful monochrome Ha Horsehead!

Fred Vanderhaven won the Innovation award for his fantastic starless Lagoon nebula shot.

There were a huge number of honourable mentions awarded, which David mentioned was testimony to the very large number of really fantastic images submitted. Right now, I can remember Mike Salway, Mike Sidonio, Marcus Davies, Terry Cuttle, Peter Ward, Phil Hart, Max Kilmister, Houghy (well done all!),

There were so many of such high quality that David mentioned he had a very hard time drawing the line as to how many could be awarded. After seeing the display, its easy to understand why.. Every selected image was thoroughly deserving and I'm sorry that I cannot remember exactly who got them all.

Now I know I have missed people but after the drive I'm a little foggy and there were a few distractions at the time, so for any omissions or errors, please accept my humblest apologies !

Mike (Iceman) I know you were awarded more than once,but for the life of me I can't remember exactly what, so apologies for that! I'm hoping someone else will arrive home soon and add/verify/correct my report!

Parkes was absolutely incredibly packed this year. The parking area at the Dish was expanded to many times its normal size and was packed. There was a three-hour wait in line for dish tours and it stayed the same length all day. My guess on numbers.....thousands!

A truly great weekend, though we were only there for half of it!

Again, congrats to all.