Stunning images shine in $50,000 prize pool at People First Bank Photographic Awards
A captivating black-and-white photograph of a boy sweeping out a weathered woolshed has won the top prize at the 2024 People First Bank Photographic Awards.
30 October 2024
A captivating black-and-white photograph of a boy sweeping out a weathered woolshed has won the top prize at the 2024 People First Bank Photographic Awards. Announced today (Wednesday, 30 October), the awards celebrate outstanding photographers from across Australia, sharing a generous $50,000 prize pool. Now in its 36th year, the People First Bank Photographic Awards is one of the country’s most prestigious and enduring photography competitions, attracting 2,928 entries from 928 photographers this year – a rise from last year’s participation. Frances Terlich, from Pleasant Hills in New South Wales’ Riverina district, secured the $15,000 top prize in the Open Category for her image, ‘The Next Generation’, featuring her gumboot-clad son hard at work in a woolshed. Frances previously won the Illustrative Category in last year’s competition. In the Themed Category of “Connection”, Clement Chua of Carlton, Victoria, also claimed a $15,000 prize for his piece, ‘Network’, which skilfully captured a striking, illuminated perspective of pedestrians crossing tram tracks beneath a web of overhead wires. David Gray from Coomera, Queensland, was recognised in the Mobile Phone Award Category for ‘Unfurling’, while Victorian photographer Peter Hammer took top honours in the Illustrative Category with his digitally-enhanced image, ‘Loving Snow’. The CEO’s Choice Award was presented to Natalie Arber from Cheltenham in Victoria for the image ‘Metamorphic’. The competition’s three Young Photographer Categories showcased its nationwide appeal, with winners hailing from the Northern Territory, Western Australia and New South Wales. People First Bank CEO Steve Laidlaw said the awards celebrated the art of photography, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to share their unique perspectives and stories. “At People First Bank, we take pride in enriching the lives of our customers and their communities,” Mr Laidlaw said. “For 36 years, this competition has celebrated the essence of Australian life, providing a platform for artistic expression and creativity. “These images record our social fabric, making the People First Bank Photographic Awards a significant national competition that inspires creativity across the country.” Once again, People First Bank has acquired the top five winning entries – in the Open Category, Themed Category, Illustrative Category, CEO’s Choice, Mobile Phone Award – to be displayed as part of its photographic collection. The 50 winners and finalist images can be viewed in an online virtual exhibition at peoplefirstphotoawards.com.au The winners of all categories are listed below: OPEN CATEGORY Winner: ‘The Next Generation’, Frances Terlich, Pleasant Hills, NSW Runner-up: ‘Brooke’, Cameron Attree, Camp Hill, QLD. THEME CATEGORY - CONNECTION Winner: ‘Network’, Clement Chua, Carlton, VIC Runner-up: ‘Battlers’, Shannon Smith, Cooranbong, NSW CEO CHOICE Winner: ‘Metamorphic’, Natalie Arber, Cheltenham, VIC MOBILE CATEGORY Winner: ‘Unfurling’, David Gray, Coomera, QLD ILLUSTRATIVE CATEGORY Winner: ‘Loving Snow’, Peter Hammer, Beaumaris, VIC GRAHAM BURSTOW AWARD Winner: ‘Groom and Father Dance Off’, Amelia Eime, Goodwood, SA ALWYN KUCKS MEMORIAL AWARD Winner: ‘Mohawk’, John Peters, Preston, QLD YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER CATEGORIES Winner (14-17 years): ‘Forgotten’, Aaryan Dhakal, Araluen, NT Winner (10-13 years): ‘Green Magic’, Dylan Armstrong, Coogee, WA