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Outback moment wins Australian Life top prize

City of Sydney

Riley Swanson on the Roma Southern Road by Carly Earl has won this year’s prestigious Australian Life photography competition.  

 

The image depicting young drovers on an old stock route in rural Australia won the picture editor a $10,000 cash prize, after being selected from 30 finalists, a mix of amateurs and professionals.

 

The winner was announced on Thursday night at the opening of the outdoor Australian Life exhibition.

 

“I’d like to say a big congratulations to Carly Earl and all the finalists whose fantastic work is now being displayed against the backdrop of Customs House,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

 

“It is always tough to choose one image out of the final 30 and 2025 has been one of the hardest years yet. The diversity, colour and spirit of our amazing country has been perfectly encapsulated in these impressive shots.”  

 

The judges said Ms Earl’s winning image offered a beautiful insight into a part of Australia most people would not be aware of.

 

Australian Life features artists from a range of backgrounds, whose experiences of the country are displayed outside the Sydney landmark and online.  

 

A selection of images from the final 30 will also be showcased across the city centre on large digital screens from 5pm to 6am during the first 2 weeks of the exhibition.

 

Among the Australian Life finalists were the 10 entrants of the teenage category, open to 13 to 17 year-olds.

 

The first-place winner from the teenage entrants was Callum Poling for February Boat Carnival. He won $2,000 in cash and an OM System professional pack worth around $2,500.

 

Winners of the children’s photography competition Little Sydney Lives were also announced at the opening.

 

Little Sydney Lives was open to young photographers aged 5 to 12 years-old.

 

Chloe Wiseman won the competition with an impressive photograph of her mother: Home-made Mummy Double-Exposure.

 

The judges praised the young photographer’s technique, intentionality and use of exposure in crafting the image.

 

Zoe Morris was runner-up with a satirical take on family life, Sibling Love.

 

“A heartfelt congratulations to our winner, runner up and the rest of the finalists. Little Sydney Lives is a wonderful part of this event and it’s so inspiring to see such talented kids,” the Lord Mayor said.

 

The winner and runner up both receive an OM System prize pack worth around $1,300.

 

“These exhibitions are a must-see for any budding photographer or creative. It is a fantastic part of our Art & About program.”

 

Winners of the photography competitions were selected by a panel of 3 judges: Australian Life 2024 winner Hank Paul, photographer Milly Hooper, and documentary and travel photographer Matt Horspool.

 

A gallery of all Australian Life finalist images can be viewed online, with an option to vote for a people’s choice winner.

 

The photographer with the most popular image in the exhibition will take home an OM System prize worth $5,400. 

 

OM System is the official partner of the event.

 

The Australian Life and Little Sydney Lives exhibitions will run until 24 August at Customs House Square and Customs House Library.

 

For more details on all the Australian Life and Little Sydney Lives winners and finalists, visit artandabout.com.au

 

For media enquiries, contact Nicky Breen.

Phone 0436 599 861 or email [email protected]

 

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay.

Phone 0436 816 604 or email [email protected]

For more stories, visit City of Sydney News

 

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