Living with the River Exhibitions
The “Living with the River“ photo exhibition launched at Penrith Regional Gallery on Saturday, 22 March celebrating the beauty and resilience of people and places in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. With over 600 entries to our photo competition, the exhibition showcases a selection of stunning images that capture the river’s natural beauty, cultural significance and sheer power.
These images tell compelling stories of how we live, work, and play by the river, highlighting the community’s deep connection to the waterway known as the Nepean, Hawkesbury, and Dyarubbin. They also share a powerful message of hope and strength for people living in areas at risk of flood.
These two exhibitions help raise awareness of our work to reduce flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley through the state’s first Disaster Adaptation Plan.
Visit the Living with the River exhibition at Penrith Regional Gallery exhibition until 11 May 2025 or at Hawkesbury Central Library Branch in Windsor from 15 April to 30 September 2025.
View the exhibition booklet (PDF 895.52KB)
Mark your calendars for a special exhibition viewing and talk that will delve deeper into the river’s significance and history. Join us for “Flood History from the Dreamtime to Now” on Thursday, 19 June, from 6pm to 8pm at Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor.
Living with the River Photo Competition Prize Winners
Winner
Ally Aberley, "Getting the power back on", 2022
Highly Commended
Erin Meally, "Beautiful Destruction", 2022
Tom Zust, "Yarramundi, Australia Day", 2025
Winner
Corina Walker, "Just a girl and her dog", 2024
Highly Commended
Annette Blattman, "Reflective", 2025
Winner
Issac Russell, “Annabelle Peters fishing trips with dad”, 2024
Highly Commended
Samantha Hill, "Sunset fishing", 2025
Winner
Hayley Hollins, "Stepping into Serenity", 2025
Highly Commended
Kira Ford, "Rainbow", 2025
Winner
Scott Moore, "Yarramundi Floods", 2022
Winner
Neil Fletcher, "First time", 2023
Runner-Up
Carol Bennett, "Still Waters, Silent Wings", 2018
Second Runner-Up
Hayley Hollins, "Stepping into Serenity", 2025
Celebrating the river
Known as Dyarubbin, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River holds spiritual significance for many, is a lifeblood for farmers, inspiration for artists, a place to play and relax and much loved for its spectacular beauty. It also wreaks havoc through the devastating force of floods. This competition showcases all aspects of the mighty river and gave entrants a chance to win a share of the $5,000 prize pool.
Max Dupain, Playing on the Nepean River, 1948 © Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
$5,000 in prizes across multiple categories
With over $5,000 in prizes, there’s something for everyone – from students to seasoned photographers. The categories are:
Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
Primary school | 1st Prize $150 gift card, highly commended $100 gift card |
Secondary school | 1st Prize $200 gift card, highly commended $100 gift card + a chance for your school to win a photography workshop valued at $2,200! |
Open | 1st Prize $300 gift card, highly commended $150 gift card |
Semi-professional | 1st Prize $500 gift card, highly commended $250 gift card |
AI Generated Images | 1st Prize $200 gift card |
People’s Choice | $500 gift card, Runner up $250 gift card, 2nd runner up $100 gift card |
Key dates
- 15 April 2025
Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor exhibition opens - 11 May 2025
Penrith Regional Gallery exhibition closes - 19 June 2025
Special event Flood History from the Dreamtime to Now at Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor 30 September 2025
Hawkesbury Central Library exhibition closes
Ruth Hart
Frequently asked questions
Photographs can be submitted by clicking the ‘Upload Photo’ link and entering the details specified in the upload form. You will automatically be registered for the competition when you upload your photograph and will receive a confirmation email.
In order to be suitable for publication, photographs that are submitted must be of high resolution in JPEG (.jpg) format. The file needs to be a minimum 2000 pixels on longest side for website uploads and a maximum 3500 pixels at max 10MB in size. NOTE: Large files may take some time to load, depending on your internet speed – please be patient when uploading.
Up to 5 images per person.
Yes, but you must have the permission of any identifiable people in your photograph to enter the competition and for the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) to publish the image. It is your responsibility to get this permission.
Yes. Images taken on a phone or camera will be accepted.
We are hoping to announce the winners by the end February 2025. Entrants who have placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd will be notified by email and a phone call using the details disclosed on the entry form. The winners’ names and their winning entry will also be published on this website and RA Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
- Primary school
1st Prize $150 gift card, highly commended $100 gift card - Secondary school
1st Prize $200 gift card, highly commended $100 gift card + a chance for your school to win a photography workshop valued at $2,200! - Open
1st Prize $300 gift card, highly commended $150 gift card - Semi-professional
1st Prize $500 gift card, highly commended $250 gift card - AI Generated Images
1st Prize $200 gift card - People’s Choice
$500 gift card, Runner up $250 gift card, 2nd runner up $100 gift card
The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The judging panel includes two senior NSW Reconstruction Authority staff and a professional photographer.
Photographs will not be publicly displayed on Facebook until approved by the RA. Photographs will generally be approved within 1-3 days of submission. If the RA do not consider the photograph suitable for the competition it will not be approved.
Yes.
Yes, and colour photographs changed to black and white are acceptable for submission.
Yes, and you must have permission for any identifiable people if featured.
The copyright of each entry submitted remains with the photographer, however, the RA reserve the right to use any entry in publicly available documents and for promotional purposes and at no charge.
Get in touch
Please send any questions or feedback to
hnv_dap@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au