2023 CQ in Focus
Nature Photography Competition
Open for four weeks during March 2023, the CQ in Focus competition was open to everyone working, playing, studying or living in the Fitzroy region. The competition exceeded the 2022 entries and attracted over 780 entries. Participants were asked to share photographs to help celebrate the region’s six major natural assets and the people and communities caring for them. Their photo submissions can be seen below.
Seven major Fitzroy Region Experience prizes (valued collectively at over $10,000) along with 10 Peoples’ Choice awards were awarded. Major prize winners were selected by a judging panel who assessed images and captions for their originality, creativity, and relevance to the CQSS2030.
2023 Major Prize Winners
Seven major Fitzroy Region Experience prizes (valued collectively at over $10,000) along with 10 Peoples’ Choice awards were awarded. Major prize winners were selected by a judging panel that assessed images and captions for their originality, creativity, and relevance to the CQSS2030.
Winner – Jamie Meyer with the image above titled ‘Mountain guardians’
Land-based category
Jamie won the Fitzroy River Fishing package for two people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation in the Empire Hotel Rockhampton’s King River View room
- A full-day guided tour between the mouth of the mighty Fitzroy River and Rockhampton City with Guided Fishing DownUnder
Winner – Isabel Whitehead with the image above titled ‘Sunset reflecting off trough’
Groundwater category
Isabel won the Keppel Island Experience for four people including…
- Two nights accommodation at GKI Hideaway
- Dinner each night at GKI Hideaway
- Ferry transfers from Roslyn Bay with Keppel Konnections
- A $400 voucher with GKI Watersports and Activities
Winner – Alison Kajewski with the image above titled ‘The gift of time’
Community category
Alison won the Capricorn Caves Adventure Package for four people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation at Hedlow Retreat
- Capricorn Caves Adventurer Cave Tour (120 mins)
Winner – Annette Ross with the image above titled ‘Safe Haven’
Freshwater category
Annette won the Byfield Waterpark Creek package for four people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation in the Heritage Log Cabin at Ferns Hideaway
- A $200 voucher at Ferns Hideaway Resort Restaurant
- Waterpark Farm Ecotour (including a river cruise, morning tea, and tea tree farm distillery tour)
Winner – Nicole Thornton with the image above titled ‘Sunny Days’
Soil category
Nicole won the Scenic Regional Experience for three people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation at Smart Stayzzz Inn (including a continental breakfast hamper each morning)
- A 40-minute scenic helicopter flight over Central Highlands peaks, valleys and wetlands
Winner – John McGrath with the image above titled ‘Arcus coming to Rosslyn Bay’
Air category
John won the Capricorn Coast Scenic Flight Package for two people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation in the Empire Hotel Rockhampton’s King River View room
- A 30-minute scenic helicopter flight over Great Keppel Island and Capricorn Coast Scenic (for up to 3 passengers)
Winner – Michael Loader with the image above titled ‘Pumpkin creek in spring’
Coastal and marine category
Michael won the Carnarvon Gorge Eco Tour Package for four people including…
- Two nights’ accommodation at Big4 Breeze Holiday Park
- Lower Gorge Explorer (full day walk) with Carnarvon Gorge Ecotours
- Night safari tour with Carnarvon Gorge Ecotours
Peoples’ Choice Awards
- Dancing in the dam, Lake Awoonga by ©Stacey McKee
- Mirror images, Nerimbera by ©Maria Woodley
- When life moves on, Rockhampton by ©Nick Kinbacher
- Seas the day, Yeppoon by ©Jenni Turvey
- Mother Flatback Turtle coming up to nest, Stanage by ©Bluey Harris
- Meaty clouds, Blackwater by ©Rhya Amora
- Toondoon Botanical Gardens, Gladstone by ©Jodie Patchett
- Undeveloped mountain landscape, Mt Archer by ©Joel Morgan
- Torrential symphony: Capturing the beauty of rain over the ocean, Keppel Sands by ©Michael Loader
- Farnborough Beach by ©Benjamin Weir
The ten photo entries that received the most votes during the competition period were awarded a $100 gift voucher to Good who stock a huge range of zero-waste, eco-friendly and plastic-free products to support sustainable living.
Be the first to upload an image!