Living with the River PHOTO COMPETITION

Capture an image of what ‘Living with the River’ looks like for you for a chance to win a share of the $5,000 prize pool.

A hand holding a smartphone, capturing a photo of a small dog lying on a sandy beach, with other printed photos scattered on the wooden surface beneath the phone.

Congratulations to the winners and everyone who entered. We received more than 600 images capturing the natural beauty, cultural significance, and sheer power of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River

We are pleased to inform you that the winners and selected works from the competition will be displayed at Penrith Regional Gallery and Hawkesbury Library. Stay tuned for more details on the exhibition dates and times.      

This photo competition is a key part of the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s efforts to raise flood risk awareness, promote emergency preparedness, and gather community input for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Disaster Adaptation Plan (HNV DAP).                            

Living with the River Photo Competition Prize Winners

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.

A vintage black and white photograph of a group of people by a riverbank with a canoe, set against the backdrop of a metal truss bridge and trees.

$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

  • 20 September 2024
    Entries open.
  • 2 February 2025
    Entries close.
  • 3 February 2025
    Voting open for People’s Choice awards. 
  • 17 February 2025
    Winners announced.
  • From March 2025
    Curated exhibition displayed in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region. 
A dog standing on a foggy riverbank, looking towards the camera, with a misty background of water, driftwood, and a faint sun breaking through the haze.

Frequently asked questions

Get in touch

Please send any questions or feedback to
hnv_dap@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au 

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