Carly Earl, the picture editor for Guardian Australia, has claimed the prestigious $10,000 top award at the 2025 Australian Life photography competition. The judges recognized Earl for her exceptional ability to capture a compelling glimpse into the reality of rural Australian life through her striking portrait of young cattle drovers in central Queensland.
Earl, who is based in Sydney and works as both a photographer and picture editor for Guardian Australia, created the winning image while documenting a droving team operating south of Roma in central Queensland. Her subject was Riley Swanson, a 19-year-old drover who represents a new generation working in Australia's remote outback regions.
In her artist statement accompanying the award-winning photograph, Earl provided insight into the challenging world these young people inhabit. "Young drovers in rural Australia spend months on horseback moving cattle, far from modern distractions," Earl explained. "Sleeping in trailers and riding 12-hour days, they face isolation, injury risks and financial loss. Many quit early, but a few, like Riley Swanson, endure the harsh, romanticized life on remote, decades-old stock routes."
The Australian Life competition is an annual photography contest and exhibition organized by the City of Sydney council as part of their comprehensive public art program called Art and About. The competition serves as a platform for showcasing work from both amateur and professional photographers, celebrating the diverse experiences of Australian life.
Earl's photograph was selected from among 30 finalist images spanning different age categories. The judging panel consisted of three distinguished photographers: Hank Paul, who won the competition the previous year; photographer Milly Hooper; and documentary and travel photographer Matt Horspool.
The judges were unanimous in their praise for Earl's work. Hooper specifically highlighted how the portrait "offered a beautiful insight into reality of life in rural Australia – an ordinary story that most city folk wouldn't be aware of." Meanwhile, Horspool commended Earl's technical and artistic skills, praising her masterful "use of shadows, color and composition."
The winners were announced during a ceremony held at Sydney's historic Customs House on Thursday night. The event also celebrated the winners of the competition's youth categories, including the Australian Life youth division for photographers aged 13 to 17, and the Little Sydney Lives competition designed for young photographers between the ages of five and 12.
In the teen category of the Australian Life competition, Callum Poling emerged victorious with his compelling black and white photograph titled "February Boat Carnival." His image successfully captured what judges described as the "organized chaos" of a surf boat carnival, demonstrating the energy and excitement of this uniquely Australian coastal tradition.
The Little Sydney Lives category saw Chloe Wiseman take the top prize with her creative black and white portrait called "Home-made Mummy Double-Exposure." The photograph, which featured her mother as the subject, showcased Wiseman's skillful use of double-exposure technique, demonstrating remarkable technical ability for such a young photographer.
Zoe Morris was recognized as the runner-up in her category with her vibrant photograph "Sibling Love." The image beautifully captured the close emotional bond between a brother and sister, with judges praising its ability to convey the warmth and connection between the siblings.
The recognition extends beyond the awards ceremony, as all finalist works will be displayed in public exhibitions throughout Sydney. The Australian Life finalists will be featured in an outdoor exhibition at the iconic Circular Quay, one of Sydney's most visited waterfront locations. Meanwhile, the Little Sydney Lives competition finalists will be showcased at the nearby Customs House, providing young photographers with a prestigious venue to display their work.
Both exhibitions offer the public an opportunity to experience the full range of photographic talent on display. The Australian Life exhibition will be located at Customs House Square, while the Little Sydney Lives exhibition will be housed in the Customs House Library. Both exhibitions will run through August 24, giving visitors several weeks to explore the diverse perspectives and artistic visions captured by photographers of all ages.
The success of Earl's winning photograph highlights the important role of photojournalism in documenting and preserving stories of contemporary Australian life, particularly those from remote and often overlooked communities. Her work on the droving story demonstrates how skilled photographers can bridge the gap between urban and rural experiences, bringing awareness to the challenges and traditions that continue to shape Australia's cultural landscape.
