ALAN CARTER
MOLONG Express journalist Michelle Peters has been named among 12 people nationwide as winners of Rural Aid’s 2026 Spirit of the Bush photography competition.
The competition seeks to capture the “resilience, humour, hardship, pride and beauty that define the bush” and winners will see their works featured in the 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar.
Peters, who’s been working with the Molong Express since the outlet’s return in July, said the win had seen her creative process come full circle.
“It’s funny because journalism originally sparked my interest in photography,” she said.
“I worked for a different newspaper and remember writing stories and trying to get a photo and always feeling embarrassed by the quality of images that I had taken.
“I left the job, but I decided it would be worthwhile to learn photography while I had the chance. I completed my Certificate IV in Photography at TAFE in Orange and I absolutely loved it.
“Afterwards, though, I just sort of forgot about it. Life got really busy and I just never got a chance to enjoy it like I had.
“This job has really given me the chance to revisit why I loved it so much. I’m blessed to be able to meet so many amazing people and visit so many places, allowing me to take photos everywhere I go.
“This job has also reignited that spark, so even after work, I’m taking my camera with me to take photos for fun again.”
Peters’ winning shot was taken as part of a series of photos from the Back to Buckinbah event in early July as part of the first edition of the rejuvenated Molong Express.
She said having her work recognised as part of Rural Aid’s 2026 Spirit of the Bush competition was meaningful.
“I was at Back to Buckinbah for work,” she said. “I was getting gallery shots for the first edition of the new Molong Express.
“I remember the editor asking how I would handle high shutter speed photos. Naturally, as a new employee eager to please I had to say yes, even if I was secretly terrified.
“Sometimes though, things really do all come back to you. I was so happy with the first few shots and even when it got so cold I could barely feel my fingers, I just kept going.
“l sent most to the Molong Express, and kept a couple to edit and enjoy for myself, and my favourite from that list was my winning entry.
“Entering that photo came so early in my return to photography. Although I was confident in my ability to take good shots, I expected the process to take time and still felt a bit unsure of myself.
“Looking down at the images I was capturing during the bullride felt absolutely amazing.
“Having the judges agree made it even more special, but capturing those moments was already a win for me.”
Peters’ triumph in the Rural Aid competition isn’t even the first photography competition she’s won this month, having also picked up blue ribbons in the recent Molong Show.
Molong Express editor Alistair Finlay said it was rare in the industry to find someone who could write news and take a variety of pictures needed for a paper, and do the quality of Peters.
“We as a paper and as a community are very lucky to have Michelle in our own backyard,” he said.
“Her professional skills and ability are only matched by her quality as a person and I’m so pleased for her that we’re able to share in what she’s achieving.
“Her photos from Back to Buckinbah were amazing, we were spoiled for choice and put one on the front page of the first edition, but any one of them could be an award winner.”
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the organisation’s photo comp was an important way of capturing and telling the stories of regional and rural people.
“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,” he 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.”
Peters said being proud of the work creative people produce was important and encouraged people to take part in things like the Spirit of the Bush event as a way of celebrating what they were achieving.
“I think it’s really important for any creative person to keep entering competitions,” she said.
“Often you’ll get a win for something you weren’t sure if others would like. and it’s just a great way to give you the boost you need to keep going.
“In fact, that’s exactly what happened at the Molong Show, particularly with my winning art portrait.
“It was such a wonderful surprise that it took first place when compared to so much talent. I’m still smiling about that now.”
Rural Aid’s 2027 Spirit of the Bush calendar will be available for purchase later this year via the organisation’s website.
