The spirit of the bush shines through in Rural Aid photography competition
Rural Aid has announced the 12 winners of its 2026 Spirit of the Bush photography competition, celebrating the people, landscapes, resilience and everyday moments that capture the true spirit of rural and regional Australia.
Since launching in 2020, the competition has built a powerful visual archive of rural life, capturing the resilience, humour, hardship, pride and beauty that define the bush.
This year, photographers were encouraged to share images reflecting the challenges, determination, people and natural beauty of rural and regional Australia, helping bring the country to the city through the power of photography.
Each of the 12 winning photographers will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card, with their winning images also featuring in Rural Aid’s 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition provided an important opportunity to showcase the people and places that make rural and regional Australia so special.
“The Spirit of the Bush competition gives us a wonderful window into rural and regional Australia, the people, the landscapes, the challenges and the moments of joy that make life in the bush so unique,” Mr Warlters said.
“These photographs tell stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated. They remind us of the strength, resilience, humour and connection that exists across our rural communities, and help share those stories with people right across Australia.
“Congratulations to all of our winners and to everyone who entered this year’s competition. The quality and variety of the images made selecting the winners a difficult task, and we’re proud to help share these snapshots of life in the bush.”
For winner Catherine Philips from Middlemount, Queensland, the competition was an opportunity to celebrate the families who live and work in rural communities.
“As a teacher who has raised her family in the bush, I think it’s so important to remind the country of all the families out here playing a vital role by living and working on the land,” Catherine said.
“I’m thrilled that my image was selected as a winner of the competition. I really hope it helps highlight and celebrate the people of the bush, their lives and the passion they have for life on the land.”
Fellow winner Mardi Harrison from Kyneton, Victoria, said the competition captured the values that underpin life in rural communities.
“To me, the spirit of the bush is about resilience, friendship and looking out for one another. It’s the quiet strength of farming families, working through good seasons and the tough ones,” Mardi said.
“It’s neighbours lending a hand without being asked, communities pulling together when times are difficult, and a deep connection to the land. Above all, it’s about mateship, belonging and never having to face the challenges alone.”
The winning photographs will be brought together in Rural Aid’s 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar, which will be available to purchase later this year from shop.ruralaid.org.au.
List of winners
Mardi Harrison – Kyneton, VIC
Jaymee Inwood – Carinda, NSW
Felicity Thomas – Mulwala, NSW
Catherine Philips – Middlemount, QLD
Michelle Peters – Molong, NSW
Jessica Osmond – Hay, NSW
Donna Hodgson – Quilpie, QLD
Hannah Perkins – Bairnsdale, VIC
Sandie Read – Mundubbera, QLD
Richard Poulish – Lower King, WA (2x winner)
Philip Down – Speed, VIC
About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. Rural Aid delivers practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other disasters, helping farming families stay on the land and protect their livelihoods. Through disaster relief, mental health support and community development programs, Rural Aid works with partners, supporters and volunteers to strengthen rural communities and ensure farmers have the support they need to recover, rebuild and remain connected.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au