Student Photography Competition
Entries are now open for our annual student photography competition! Each year the competition has a different theme to spark students' creative thinking and showcase their perspective through the lens, and this year Wollongong Art Gallery invites young photographers to explore the theme of Windows.
Inspired by Patrick Pound’s evocative Window Panel installation on the Gallery’s exterior, students are encouraged to capture images that reflect the literal or metaphorical power of windows. Is your photo looking out into the world, or peering inward into a private space? Does your window reveal, conceal, frame, or transform? Whether it’s sunlight through glass, a glimpse into another life, or a symbolic portal to new perspectives—this is your chance to show us what a window means to you.
Image: Mandy Martin, The yellow curtain, 1980, oil stick on paper, 63.4 x 92.7 cm (image) 75.3 x 108.4 cm (sheet), Purchased 1981.
Important Information
All entries are due by 5pm on Friday 26 September 2025.
Winners will be announced on Monday 13 October 2025 via our website and social media channels.
The winning photographs will be included in this year's finalist compilation video and loaded to our YouTube channel.
The competition is open to any student studying in New South Wales, in the below categories. The competition will also be judged in these categories.
- Years 5 and 6
- Years 7 and 8
- Years 9 and 10
- Years 11 and 12
- This competition is open to students who study in NSW and entry is free.
- Entries must be 100% photographic and single capture.
- Students are limited to 5 entries each.
- Entries can be digital or analogue photographs. For analogue entries, please provide a scanned copy in jpeg format.
- Entries are to be submitted via email to Julie Danilov, Education Officer at jdanilov@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Please include the following details in your email: - Email subject: Windows Photography Competition
- In the body of email include your full name and contact phone number
- Include the title of your photograph/s in the body of the email
- Attach your photograph entries (jpegs only and please label each attachment clearly)
- Include your school and year level in the body of your email
- Editing is encouraged for basic adjustments and cropping.
- Elements can be cropped out; however, elements cannot be removed by other means such as cloning.
- Elements cannot be added including the addition of textures.
- Please do not add any watermarks to your entries.
- Entries are to be submitted via email to Julie Danilov, Education Officer at jdanilov@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Please include the following details in your email: - Email subject: Windows Photography Competition
- In the body of email include your full name and contact phone number
- Include the title of your photograph/s in the body of the email
- Attach your photograph entries (jpegs only and please label each attachment clearly)
- Include your school and year level in the body of your email
The winners and finalists in each category will receive prizes, details below.
Year 5 and 6 students | |
| First prize | $75 |
| Second prize | $40 |
| Third prize | $20 |
Year 7 and 8 students | |
| First prize | $100 |
| Second prize | $50 |
| Third prize | $25 |
Year 9 and 10 students | |
| First prize | $150 |
| Second prize | $75 |
| Third prize | $35 |
Year 11 and 12 students | |
| First prize | $200 |
| Second prize | $100 |
| Third prize | $50 |
This year's competition will be judged by:
- Daniel Mudie Cunningham - Gallery Director, Wollongong Art Gallery
- Julie Danilov - Education Officer, Wollongong Art Gallery
Previous competitions and winners
Landscape was the theme for 2024.
Congratulations to winners below, and all of our entrants.
| Category | Award | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Years 5 and 6 | Winner | Ariel Qu, Year 6, Illawarra Christian School, Traditional Japan |
| 2nd place | Max Konovalov, Year 5, Waniora Public School, Proud Dingo | |
| 3rd place | Saja Alfqi, Year 5, Coniston Public School, Ancient | |
| Years 7 and 8 | Winner | Michah Jallard, Year 8, Nowra Anglican College, Prayer Flags Over Kathmandu |
| 2nd place | Kaleigh-Ann Rostirolla, Year 7, St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wonders of the Land | |
| 3rd place | Bally Napthali, Year 7, Reddam House Sydney, The Xylophone Window Washers | |
| Years 9 and 10 | Winner | Austin Braddock, Year 10, Figtree High School, An Alpine Stream |
| 2nd place | Amir Eskandari, Year 10, Keira High School, Silent Reflections | |
| 3rd place | Grace McNamara, Year 9, Nowra Christian School, Dreary | |
| Years 11 and 12 | Winner | Theo Ameria, Year 11, Chevalier College, Red Mini |
| 2nd place | Lucas Clapham, Year 12, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, The Great Outdoors | |
| 3rd place | Oliver Bishop, Year 11, St Gregory's College Campbelltown, Fridged |
Watch the video below to see the awarded works, as well as our commended entries.
Reflection was the theme for 2023.
Our judges were looking for original, thought-provoking photography and striking imagery that excelled at storytelling and allowed us to see students' interpretation of the theme of ‘reflection’ in their photography practice.
Congratulations to winners below, and all of our entrants.
| Category | Award | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Years 3 and 4 | Winner | Charlotte Dean, Year 4, Port Kembla Public School, Holiday Trees |
| 2nd place | Hayley Crowe, Year 4, Unanderra Public School, Dreamworld | |
| 3rd place | Scarlett Crowe, Year 3, Unanderra Public School, Best of Gerroa | |
| Years 5 and 6 | Winner | Anastasia Walter, Year 5, Unanderra Public School, Pondering Paradise |
| 2nd place | Charlie Chapman, Year 5, Unanderra Public School, Kitten Eyes | |
| 3rd place | Emily Palmer, Year 5, Unanderra Public School, Mirror Mirror in the Tank | |
| Years 7 and 8 | Winner | Austin Braddock, Year 8, Figtree High School, Cliffside Serenity |
| 2nd place | Lila Spencer, Year 8, Nowra Christian School, SkyMirror | |
| 3rd place | Layla Ryan, Year 8, Nowra Christian School, Cerulean Canopy | |
| Years 9 and 10 | Winner | Alanah Southcombe, Year 9, St Mary Star of the Sea College, Ottowa River |
| 2nd place | Joshua Bond, Year 10, Figtree High School, Our Bench | |
| 3rd place | Abel James Jones, Year 10, Hastings Secondary College, Westport Campus, In the Infinite Room | |
| Years 11 and 12 | Winner | Ryan Xu, Year 11, Carlingford High School, Perception of Me, 2023 |
| 2nd place | Sofia Touma, Year 12, Chevalier College, Captured Echoes | |
| 3rd place | Anna Waibel, Year 11, Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, One Remains |
Watch the video below to see the awarded works, as well as our commended entries.
SPIN was the theme for 2022.
The theme was chosen to commemorate the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, and as part of the related community celebrations for Spin Fest. Entries did not have to be strictly bike-related.
Congratulations to our high-school winners, and everyone who entered.
| Category | Award | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Years 7 and 8 | Winner | William N An, Year 7, Ashfield Boys High School, Rolled Away |
| 2nd place | Alice Liu, Year 7, Caringbah High School, The Spinning Stars | |
| Years 9 and 10 | Winner | Ruby Sanders, Year 9, Shellharbour Anglican College, Spinning Through Childhood |
| 2nd place | Christian Angiletta, Year 9, St Patrick's College, Impact | |
| 3rd place | William Olivotto, Year 9, Georges River Grammar, Spin City | |
| Highly commended | Carl Aguilar, Year 9, St Patrick's College, Wheel | |
| Years 11 and 12 | Winner | Inika Simpson, Year 11, Smith's Hill High School, In Orbit |
| 2nd place | Keelan Spillane, Year 12, Lake Illawarra High School, Dance |
Watch the video below to see all the entries and winning works.
HOME was the theme for 2021.
We asked students to share their ‘homes' in photographic format during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Congratulations to our winners.
| Category | Award | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Years 5 and 6 | Winner | Sidney Smith, Year 5, Coniston Public School, Covid Comforts |
| 2nd place | Mishon Coles-Copson, Year 6, Figtree Public School, Joy! | |
| 3rd place | Yusuf Unal, Year 5, Cringila Public School, My Address of Happiness | |
| Years 7 and 8 | Winner | Rory Fenelon, Year 8, Oxley College, The Music Room |
| 2nd place | Zane Giaron, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, 10km Radius | |
| 3rd place | Nikita Krzeminki, Year 7, Our Lady of Mercy College, Quarantine | |
| Years 9 and 10 | Winner | Valerie Liu, Year 10, Our Lady of Mercy College, Trapped Inside |
| 2nd place | Matilda Daisy Walmsley, Year 9, Shellharbour Anglican College, My Beloved Fairy Sister | |
| 3rd place | Zoe Thomas, Year 9, Cedars Christian College, Happy Birthday | |
| Years 11 and 12 | Winner | Tobias Moore, Year 11, Figtree High School, Oeufs sir une assiette |
| 2nd place | Christabella Wibowo, Year 12, Richard Johnson Anglican School, My Happy Place | |
| 3rd place | Ala Ali, Year 11, Figtree High School, Diligence |
You can also watch the following videos to see the winning works and all entries
Your Everyday Life was the theme for 2020.
Students were invited to share original, thought-provoking perspectives of ‘your everyday life’ in photographic format.
Congratulations to our winners.
| Category | Award | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Primary students | Winner | Yolanda Lou Figgis, age 11, Bulli Public School, Self Time |
| 2nd place | Isabella Kohazy, age 11, Thirroul Public School, Study Companion | |
| 3rd place | Jemima Dombkins, age 11, Illawarra Christian School, Sunday Skies | |
| Secondary students | Winner | Sophie West, age 14, St Mary Star of the Sea College, School? |
| 2nd place | Zach Bowden, age 18, Illawarra Christian School, Folding Liquid | |
| 3rd place | Taliver Fulcher, age 16, Keira High School, Living for the Weekend |
You can also watch the videos below to see the winning works, and all entries.
Image: Patrick Pound, Windows, 2025, Wollongong Art Gallery building exterior.