Erica’s stunning capture takes out top award

Amateur photographer Erica Smart, of Erina, happened to be in the right place at the right time when she captured an award-winning photo of a bunch of galahs while travelling in a caravan through the outback of NSW.

She entered the photo into Rural Aid’s sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photography Competition, a celebration of the resilience, beauty and community spirit that define rural Australia.

This year’s competition saw a record-breaking response, with 201 entrants submitting 429 photos, nearly double the number received in 2024.

Each image offered a glimpse into life on the land, showcasing everything from quiet moments of reflection to the vastness and harshness of the Australian landscape.
 
The 10 winning images, each awarded a $250 prepaid Visa card, were selected for their ability to tell powerful stories through the lens.

Smart was preparing to take a photo of sheep waiting to be fed on an outback property, Trilby Station near Louth, when she spotted the galahs.

“The sheep were waiting to be fed, and I was going to take a photo when I saw the birds and it looked so funny with the one just hovering over.”

She called the photo Room for One More.

It’s not the first competition the avid bird photographer has entered and won.

“This time I was in the right place at the right time; sometimes I’m lucky to get the shot.”

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the annual Spirit of the Bush photography competition revealed the stories that often went unseen.
 
“This year’s photos are a moving tribute to life outside the city limits,” he said.

“They tell stories of perseverance, pride and connection.
 
“There’s an authenticity to these images that resonates.

“Whether it’s a family working through drought, or a breathtaking sunrise over a remote property, the spirit of the bush shines through.”
 
The winning images will feature across Rural Aid’s campaigns, publications and social media, helping raise awareness of life in the bush and the people who call it home.
 
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough.

Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives.