CQ in Focus – Nature Photography Competition

Posted on March 1st, 2023

$10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs

Calling all CQ photographers, nature lovers, or anyone with a smartphone! Over $10,000 in prizes is up for grabs in Fitzroy Basin Association’s (FBA) CQ in Focus – Nature Photography Competition.

To celebrate the environment that sustains one of the most productive regions in Australia, FBA is looking for the best images of the region’s natural assets.

The competition comes after the success of the 2022 campaign where 578 stunning images highlighted the beauty of central Queensland’s natural assets.

Natural assets are a part of the natural environment and provide important environmental services (for example, cleaning the air we breathe) to individuals, businesses and communities. The CQ in Focus Competition asks entrants to capture one or more of the Fitzroy region’s six major natural assets and/or the people or communities caring for them. Categories include soil, air, groundwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, freshwater rivers and wetlands, land-based ecosystems and people/communities.

“Everyone has a role to play in creating a more sustainable future and this competition is a fun and meaningful way to get involved,” said competition coordinator and FBA’s Project Officer (Citizen Science), Myfina Healy.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to explore, celebrate and care for central Queensland’s natural environment. Last year we saw some fantastic entries from regional people who generously shared their personal connection (and desire) to protect natural assets. We are excited to see what the creative people of CQ submit this year,” Myfina continued.

The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers of any age, who live, work, play or study in the Fitzroy region. 

The competition opens at 9am Wednesday 1 March and closes at 9am Monday, 3 April.

Seven major Fitzroy Region experience prizes and 10 Peoples’ Choice awards (valued collectively at over $10,000) are up for grabs. All seven major prizes include two nights’ accommodation and an experience voucher for two to four people.

“We anticipate the major prizes to be as popular this year as last. Experiences include:

  • A Central Highlands Regional Experience, complete a 40-minute Bush helicopter scenic flight over Central Highlands peaks, valleys and wetlands with two nights accommodation
  • A Fitzroy River Fishing Package, including a full-day guided tour for two and two nights at the Empire Hotel
  • A Great Keppel Island Reef Experience, including an ocean activity, ferry transfers, two nights’ accommodation and dinner at GKI Hideaway
    … plus four more major prizes,” said Myfina

To learn more about the competition, the prizes or the region’s natural assets visit Central Queensland’s Sustainability Strategy 2030 (CQSS2030) interactive website – www.cqss2030.com.au

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