Spring in the Mary photo competition open for entries now!
Snap Spring’s Magic: The 2026 ‘Spring in the Mary’ Photo Competition Opens
Spring has officially arrived across the Mary River catchment, bringing fresh growth and new life. From the heights of the Conondale Ranges down to the sandy river mouth near Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait, the MRCCC’s Spring in the Mary Photo Competition aims to capture and celebrate this seasonal metamorphosis
The competition draws inspiration from Rick Smolan’s landmark 1981 project, A Day in the Life of Australia. While Smolan captured a vast nation in a single day, Spring in the Mary takes a intimately focused approach. It invites local photographers—amateur and seasoned alike—to turn their lenses toward the unique beauty, biodiversity, and life of our shared river catchment throughout the entire spring season. 
Whether it is early morning mist rising off the river, flora blooming in the headwaters, local wildlife, or community life along the banks, entrants are encouraged to showcase what makes spring in the Mary region so vital and dynamic.
Key Dates & Details
-
Entries Close: Saturday, October 31, 2026
-
Winners Announced: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (Mary River Remembrance Day)
Generous prizes are up for grabs across multiple categories, made possible by strong support from local community sponsors: Kenilworth Rural Supplies, Barung Landcare, Noosa Landcare, McClintocks Fuel Supplies, and Sauers Produce and Garden Centre.
Grab your camera or smartphone, head out into the catchment, and capture the natural wonder of spring. Download a fillable copy of the entry form here, and send it in with your entries to springinthemary@mrccc.org.au by 31st October.
Image above: Winner of the 2025 Spring in the Mary photo competition – Paul Vallier’s aerial image of the Mary River