LOCAL LIFE
Capturing the Spirit of the River
Hayley Hollins Stepping Into Serenity
Corina Walker Just A Girl And Her Dog
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 semi-professional photographers , and
Issac Russell Annabelle Peters
even digital artists working with AIgenerated 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
Scott Moore Yarramundi Floods
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
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
Annette Blattman Reflective
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
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8 ISSUE 117 // MARCH 2025 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT