Dalby snapper takes top gong

LAST night’s 29th annual Heritage Bank Photographic Awards had two talented Darling Downs photographers take out top honours.

Leading the way was Dalby photographer Janine Waters, named Open Category winner for her majestic shot “Gobi Splendour”, taken in Mongolia featuring camels crossing the Gobi Desert.

Meanwhile, Terry Charles was awarded the Alwyn Kucks Memorial Award for the best shot from a Toowoomba region photographer for his image “Dream Time”.

The winners of the prestigious national contest were announced in a special presentation at the University of Southern Queensland last night.

Heritage Bank CEO Mr Peter Lock said the competition, now in its 29th year, continued to showcase the talents of professional and amateur photographers across Australia.

“The calibre of the entries has been outstanding and the judges had a tough time choosing the top 50 photographs from the 1300 entries,” Mr Lock said.

“The beauty of this competition is that there are no background or experience restrictions in place, meaning that entrants as young as seven get involved.

“Heritage is very proud that this photography competition is one of the longest running and richest in Australia, with $8000 in prizes on offer.

Once again, Heritage has purchased the Open, Themed, and CEO’s Choice winners to become part of its corporate art collection.

PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED PRIZE SNAP: Dalby photographer Janine Waters is named Open Winner of the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards 2017 with this shot, titled Gobi Splendour.

Biljana Jurukovski’s photo The Eagle Hunter is the winner of the Passion category.

Tony Law’s Challenger photo is the Passion category runner-up at this year’s Heritage Bank Photographic Awards.

Peter Brodbeck Photography’s Treading Water is named Open category runner-up.