LIFE & STYLE
Capturing the Spirit
of the River
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Feeling
peckish ?
Satisfy your appetite with breakfast , lunch or dinner at The Fiddler .
WALK INS WELCOME or SCAN TO BOOK A TABLE
The deep connection between the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and the local community has been brought to life through the Living with the River photography competition . With over 600 entries , the inaugural contest has highlighted the natural beauty , cultural heritage , and immense power of the river , also known as Dyarubbin .
Launched in September 2024 by the NSW Reconstruction Authority ( RA ), the competition aimed to raise awareness about the significance of the river while also addressing the challenges posed by flooding . With a $ 5000 prize pool , the event attracted photographers of all ages and skill levels , including primary and secondary students , amateur and semiprofessional photographers , and even digital artists working with AI-generated imagery . A river of stories The Hawkesbury-Nepean is more than just a picturesque landmark — it is a lifeline for farmers , a place of recreation , and a muse for artists . However , it is also a force of nature that can bring devastation during floods . The competition ’ s entries reflected all these facets , showcasing moments of joy , resilience , and the realities of living on a floodplain .
A panel of judges , led by RA CEO Mal Lanyon , alongside senior RA executives and a professional photographer , carefully reviewed submissions across five categories . Additionally , the People ’ s Choice Award was decided by a public vote via the RA ’ s Facebook page . And the winners are … The standout photographers from each category were : PRIMARY SCHOOL : Winner – Issac Russell ;
Highly Commended – Samantha Hill SECONDARY SCHOOL : Winner – Hayley
Hollins ; Highly Commended – Kira Ford OPEN CATEGORY : Winner – Ally Aberley ; Highly Commended – Tom Zust and Erin Meally
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL : Winner – Corina Walker ; Highly Commended – Annette Blattman
AI-GENERATED IMAGES : Winner – Scott Moore
PEOPLE ’ S CHOICE : Winner – Neil Fletcher ; Runner-up – Carol Bennett ; Second Runner-up – Hayley Hollins Exhibiting the vision The winning and selected entries will be exhibited alongside the works of renowned artist Blak Douglas at the Penrith Regional Gallery from Saturday , 15 March .
The photographs will then move to the Hawkesbury Central Library in Windsor in April .
Additionally , select images will be incorporated into the Disaster Adaptation Plan ( DAP )— a vital initiative by the RA to reduce flood risks in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley .
For those who wish to see the full collection of winning entries , they are available on the RA ’ s website and Facebook page at www . nsw . gov . au / departments-andagencies / nsw-reconstruction-authority / livingriver .
Through this competition , the Living with the River project has not only celebrated artistic talent but also reinforced the need for community resilience and flood awareness in the face of an ever-changing natural landscape .
Erin Meally Beautiful Destruction
Annette Blattman Reflective
Hayley Hollins Stepping Into Serenity
Neil Fletcher First Time
Carol Bennett Still Waters Silent Wings
Corina Walker Just A Girl And Her Dog
12 ISSUE 178 // MARCH 2025 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT