The Moggill Creek Catchment Group’s annual Photography Competition celebrated its 28th year in 2026, continuing a much-loved tradition that has been running since 1998. This year’s competition with $1325 in prize money, attracted 76 entries, including 59 photographs across three open categories, showcasing the wonderful diversity of local wildlife and natural beauty, from raptors and koalas to blossoms and bees.
The Young Persons digital category also featured 17 entries from primary school-aged photographers, highlighting the next generation’s appreciation of nature and photography.
Judged this year by Margaret O’Grady of the Ipswich Photographic Society, the competition was made possible through the generous support of our local sponsors: Cr Greg Adermann, Dr Christian Rowan MP, Kenmore Bridge Club, Discount Drug Stores Kenmore, Fiori Kitchen and Bar, sponsorship provided in memory of Dr Richard Anthony ‘Tony’ Thulborn, and The Pet Chalet.
We extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors, entrants, families and supporters for helping make another year of the competition a success.
And the winners are …
OP1 Native Plants & Fungi
Sponsored by Councillor Greg Adermann
Ist Place
Paper daisy and friends by Sue Wilson
2nd Place
The melting caps by Gail Bryant
3rd Place
Grewia latifolia by David Edwards
Highly Commended
Nature’s cartography by Sarah Smith
Highly Commended
Pink bloodwood [Corymbia intermedia] by John Stephens
OP2 Native Birds
Sponsored by Kenmore Bridge Club
Ist Place
Snack time by Gail Bryant
2nd Place
Golden hour guardian by Joseph Pappas
3rd Place
Golden Whistler by Byron Hall
4th Place
Golden Whistler bathing at sunset by Leanne Hester
Highly Commended
The unexpected angle by Joseph Pappas
Highly Commended
Leap of faith by Daryl Neumann
Highly Commended
The builder (Chestnut-breasted mannikin) by John Stephens
Highly Commended
Sweet rufous fantail by Leanne Hester
Highly Commended
King Parrot by Sue Wilson
OP3 Native Animals (excl. Birds)
Sponsored by Dr Christian Rowan MP
Ist Place
Chasing the last light by Joseph Pappas
2nd Place
A delicate balance (Clearwing swallowtail) by John Stephens
3rd Place
Koala at Whites Hill Reserve by Stephen Mudge
Highly Commended
Echidna by Byron Hall
Highly Commended
Takes two to tango (Common bluetails [Australian damselfly] by John Stephens
Highly Commended
Possum by Howard Baker
Highly Commended
Lemon migrant by Sue Wilson
Chairperson’s Choice Open
Sponsored by Fiori Kitchen and Bar
Turner’s Beautiful-masked Bee by David Edwards
People’s Choice Open
Sponsored by The Pet Chalet
1st Place
Echidna by Byron Hall
2nd Place
Little face, big smile by Joseph Pappas
3rd Place
Scarlet Honeyeaters drinking by Leanne Hester
3rd Place
Chasing the last light by Joseph Pappas
* * * * * * * * * *
Young Person – Our Catchment
Sponsored in memory of Tony Thulborn
Ist Place
Perched! by Stefan Marquardt
2nd Place
The bush rockstar by Lincoln Bennett
3rd Place
Water Dragon by Eloise Lever
Highly Commended
The invisible family – Bush Stone Curlew by Ian Cheng
Highly Commended
Kookaburra by Lyla Heatley
Highly Commended
Ibis by Lyla Heatley
Chairperson’s Choice Young Person
Sponsored by Discount Drug Stores Kenmore
Upside down is right side up by Leo Bennett
People’s Choice Young Person
Sponsored in memory of Tony Thulborn
Water Dragon by Eloise Lever
Notes:
- Photographs of non-native plants/fungi/animals are not eligible for prizes in open categories
- An individual can only win one prize in any category
- 3rd will not be awarded if 5 or less photographs in any category
- 4th only awarded if more than 25 entries and 5th if over 40 entries in any category
Acknowledgement and Thank You
With huge thanks and much appreciation for the continued support this year from our sponsors: Cr Greg Adermann, Dr Christian Rowan MP, Kenmore Bridge Club, Discount Drug Stores Kenmore, Fiori Kitchen and Bar, sponsorship provided in memory of Dr Richard Anthony ‘Tony’ Thulborn, and The Pet Chalet
And to our 2026 Judge – Margaret O’Grady
Of course a big thank you to all the members of the public who visited the Kenmore Village display in person or online at the MCCG Facebook page or Instagram and voted for the People’s Choice awards.
This competition would not run without the dedication from the volunteers of Moggill Creek Catchment Group who plan, organise and support the display over the week.
With particular thanks going to the MCCG Photo Comp. Committee: Rebecca Bain ( chief organiser extraordinaire & PR officer), Geoff Lawrence, Robyn Frost, Bruce Siemon, Janine Nicklin and Bostjan Kobe
Tracey Read (MCCG Chairperson) congratulating and thanking Beck Bain on another well organised and fantastic event Photo: Geoff Lawrence
