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
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
- 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.

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