Rural Aid’s iconic photo competition opens

Dave Tan was one of the 2023 Winners for his depiction of Allora. (Supplied).

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has announced the opening of its annual photography competition, “Spirit of the Bush,” now in its fifth year. The competition invites photographers from across the nation to capture and share the essence of life on the land.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters highlighted the significance of the competition, stating, “Our Spirit of the Bush competition is always very popular, attracting hundreds of entrants from across Australia. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into life on the land.”

The top 12 winning photos will be featured in Rural Aid’s 2025 wall calendar, showcasing the highs and lows of rural life. Last year, one of the winners was Dave Tan from Allora, whose stunning image captured the spirit of his rural community. In addition to being included in the calendar, winners will also receive a $250 pre-paid VISA card.

“We’ve shortened the competition window slightly this year, so if you’d like to take part, make sure you don’t dilly-dally,” Warlters urged. “It’s our fifth year running this iconic competition, and we’d love it to be bigger than ever! We’ve already received some amazing high-quality images from previous entrants, but we’d love to see some new faces on board before the comp closes on October 1.”

Photographers, whether amateurs, professionals, or hobbyists, are encouraged to submit their high-resolution, landscape images via Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #SOTB2024 and tagging @ruralaid in the picture. Alternatively, entries can be uploaded through the Woobox link provided on the Rural Aid website.

The competition closes on October 1, 2024. Full Terms and Conditions can be found on Rural Aid’s website at www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush/