The Friends have run an annual photographic competition for school and college students for over two decades. It is a great way to encourage young people to express their appreciation of Australian native plants through artistic creativity. In doing so, young photographers have an opportunity to explore and enjoy these wonderful Botanic Gardens – the world’s most comprehensive collection of Australian cultivated plants.
The competition provides an excellent opportunity for students to become aware of the value and beauty of the ANBG and, by exercising their photographic skills, to share that beauty with other visitors
25th Photographic Competition for students
The competition was open to students studying in Years 3 to 12 at Australian primary or secondary schools or colleges, or undertaking home study in Australia.
All entries had to be digital photographs, taken by the student in the ANBG between 30 August 2024 and 29 August 2025, and featuring some aspect of the Gardens such as plants, wildlife or scenery. The photographs were in jpg format, with a maximum size of 10MB. The prize-winning images are printed at A3 size, and so were required to have sufficient resolution to be clear at that size.
Entries are now closed and winners have been notified. We received more than 440 images from more than 220 students. The organisers and judges thank everyone who entered, and encourage them to keep up their nature photography.
2025 competition winners
In 2025 a total of 455 photographs were entered by 228 students, from 27 secondary schools and colleges, plus 3 homestudy students; and 25 primary schools, plus one homestudy student.
Prizes were awarded to the winners on Saturday 27 September by Cathy Robertson, Secretary of the Friends of the ANBG; and Dr Matthew Parker, Director ANBG, Parks Australia.
The Friends acknowledge an Australian Government 2024-25 Volunteer Program grant to support the 2025 Student Photographic Competition.
Categories: Primary Colour • Primary Monochrome • Secondary Monochrome • Secondary Colour • Secondary Altered Reality
Click on an image to see a larger version of the photograph.
Primary Schools - Colour
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Winner
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2nd
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3rd
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Highly Commended
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Highly Commended
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Commended
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Commended
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Primary Schools - Monochrome
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Winner
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2nd
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3rd
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|
Highly Commended
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Commended
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Commended
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Secondary Schools - Monochrome
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Winner
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2nd
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3rd
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Highly Commended
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Highly Commended
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Commended
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Commended
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Secondary Schools - Colour
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Winner
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2nd
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3rd
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Highly Commended
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Highly Commended
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Commended
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Commended
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Secondary Schools - Altered Reality
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Winner
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2nd
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3rd
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Highly Commended
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Highly Commended
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Commended
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Commended
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Rangers' Award
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Rangers' Award
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Previous competition prizewinners
Prize-winning and highly-commended photos from recent competitions are available here online.
