Family connections to forests celebrated in student photo competition
12 Nov 26
OneFortyOne has announced the winners of its 2026 photo competition, with entries celebrating forests and bringing families together.
Students from across the Limestone Coast and Western Victoria submitted a record 242 entries this year, sharing photos and stories about what local forests mean to them.
Entries were assessed by a judging panel including photographer Casey Moore, and Member for Mount Gambier Travis Fatchen MP.
Rainy Days: I love going on walks with my sister and my dog Marley in the forest on rainy days.
We sit on the chopped logs and play with the pine cones and rocks
After serious deliberation, the judges awarded the primary prize to Reidy Park Year 2 student Sophie Lock, the secondary prize to Penola High School Year 11 Alissa Sedman, and the school prize to Dartmoor Primary School.
OneFortyOne CEO Andrew Leighton said he was impressed by the standard of entries and the thoughtful stories students submitted.
“The photos were very impressive, and the stories that made the biggest impact,” Andrew said.
“With so many quality entries received this year, selecting the winners was no easy task.”
“The creativity and thought that students put into their entries were outstanding, with many sharing personal stories about time spent with family and friends and the special connection they have with local forests.”
The Beginning of our Future: The bush has been a part of my life since I was a very young girl, this image represents the love that mother nature brings to our family. From a small seed to a big tall tree we all grow up together as one.
Sophie’s winning entry captured the fun of spending rainy days in the forest with her sister and dog, playing in nature. Alissa’s entry reflected on a special connection between family and the bush, using a growing tree as a reminder of how we grow alongside nature.
“I’d also like to congratulate Dartmoor Primary School for winning the schools category, with 16 of its 21 students entering photos,” Andrew said.
“The enthusiasm shown by the students and staff at Dartmoor really stood out.”
Sophie and Alissa will each receive 4 x $250 local business vouchers, and Dartmoor Primary will receive a $500 grant towards a school project. The winning photos will be featured on OneFortyOne’s social media channels and website, and a selection of entries will be exhibited from December 5th at the Mount Gambier airport Hangar Gallery, thanks to the Southern Limestone Coast Council
OneFortyOne acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their deep connections to land, water, and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations people today.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori communities have a strong spiritual connection between people and the land – the wellbeing of one sustains the wellbeing of the other. We strive to build meaningful relationships with iwi as tangata whenua (people of the land/region), to be responsible intergenerational kaitiaki (stewards/guardians) of the land where our forests grow.