Country life througha lens

Country life througha lens CELEBRATING the heart, grit and beauty of rural areas, the Spirit of the Bush Photography Competition is open for entries. Now in its seventh year, the initiative of Rural Aid invites people to capture the stories, landscapes and spirit of country Australia. Photographers in 2026 are encouraged to share photos of people, challenges, determination, and natural beauty. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition reveals extraordinary stories behind everyday life on the land. “These photographs do not just show us the bush, they tell us its stories, its resilience, and its heart. Spirit of the Bush continues to bring rural Australia closer to the cities. It opens a window into the everyday realities, the challenges, and the incredible strength of farming communities.” Warlters said the competition is open to all Australians, regardless of experience. “You do not need to be a professional photographer to enter,” he said. “Some of our most moving and memorable images come from people simply capturing life as they see it, honest, raw and real.” The competition closes at 5pm on Friday 31 July. Entrants are encouraged to showcase everything from sweeping landscapes and working farms to candid moments. Twelve winning photographs will be selected by a panel of judges, with each winner receiving a $250 prepaid Visa card. Entries can be submitted at ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush. Rural Aid is a charity that supports farmers, their families and rural communities. It delivers practical assistance in times of drought, fire, flood and other disasters, and helps farming families connect, recover, rebuild, and stay on the land.