WHETHER it’s a stunning sunrise over a paddock, stock work in full swing or catching the perfect landscape in the right lighting, local photographers are being encouraged to showcase life in the bush as the Spirit of the Bush Photography Competition returns for 2026.
Run by Rural Aid, the annual competition celebrates the people, landscapes and resilience that define rural and regional Australia, with entries open until Friday, July 31.
Now in its seventh year, the competition has become a popular platform for sharing authentic images of country life, creating a growing archive of Australia’s farming communities.
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the competition highlights the stories behind everyday life in the bush.
“Every year we are reminded just how powerful a single image can be,” he said.
“These photographs don’t just show us the bush, they tell us its stories, its resilience and its heart.
“Spirit of the Bush continues to bring rural Australia closer to the cities.
“It opens a window into the everyday realities, the challenges and the incredible strength of farming communities.”
Mr Warlters said photographers of all skill levels were encouraged to enter.
“You don’t need to be a professional photographer. Some of our most memorable images come from people simply capturing life as they see it, honest, raw and real,” he said.
Twelve winning photographs will each receive a $250 prepaid Visa card, with entries judged by a panel of photography and rural industry representatives.
Local photographers from across the Cabonne region are encouraged to enter by visiting ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush before entries close on July 31.
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities through practical assistance during drought, fire, flood and other natural disasters.