Sustainability Through Your Own Lens Photography Competition
Entries have closed for the ResourceSmart Schools program's Sustainability Through Your Own Lens photography competition.
We will announce finalists on Monday 6 October, and winners on Thursday 16 October.
About the competition
The Sustainability Through Your Own Lens photography competition celebrates student creativity through imagery and a written reflection.
This year’s theme is 'Building a climate-ready future'.
Climate change brings new challenges to the places we use every day, like our homes, schools, parks, and roads. As weather events become more frequent or intense, this theme encourages students to reflect on how people, places, and nature are preparing and adapting. Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more climate-ready future.
Categories
Students will be recognised across three categories:
- Lower Primary: Prep to Grade 4
- Middle Years: Grade 5 to 8
- Senior School: Year 9 to 12
What’s in it for participants?
All finalists’ photos will be:
- promoted through our social media channels and website
- showcased at the 2026 ResourceSmart Schools Awards event
Winners will be:
- awarded cash prizes to support sustainability projects at their schools
- invited to the 2026 ResourceSmart Schools Awards, where their work will be featured in a special exhibition of finalists' images
- presented with a printed and framed copy of their photo.
Key dates
Eligibility
To be eligible to enter the competition, schools must have been ‘active’ in ResourceSmart Schools program in this financial year (from 1 July 2025).
Entries must have been submitted by a teacher from the participating school.
Each teacher member could submit up to 3 entries per year level.
Special thanks to our judging panel
We would like to acknowledge the organisations that will generously take on the important mission of selecting the finalists for this year’s photography competition. Their expertise and insights will help keep the judging process thorough.
Past winners
2024 winners
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Persevering to Reach New Heights by Emily Griffiths
'This image depicts vines slowly making their way up and around a power pole enveloping and smothering the man-made aspects. The vines are adapting to the harsh placement of the structure as they overtake and blend in with the environment to make it a part of the natural scenery. Through the obstruction of this human made structure we can see our environment show resilience, perseverance and a desire to flourish.' -
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Shine the Light by Amara Gauld
'We need to keep our planet healthy and clean for future generations. The sun comes up and sets every day we have a responsibility to keep the planet liveable for all the creatures. This photo was taken from the point of view of a creature not a human and shows how the earth is important for everyone.' -
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Look Closely by Sam Watson
'Even the smallest parts of nature can appear big when we look closely. We can all make small actions that are sustainable, but just like in my photo, when you look closely, every little action is actually really important. We all need to work together to protect our planet and make sure we do all of the little things that add up to big things.' -
2023 winners
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About Daniel and the photo
Daniel is from Brentwood Secondary College. The impressive framing through an ‘eye’ with a powerful description which talks about harmony with nature and other species.
In Daniel’s words, he says "sustainability is a way of life. We look after the environment and the animals through the practices of developing renewable energies. We keep green and healthy spaces available around our buildings for nature to flourish. A cockatoo feeling at home to feast in our back garden shows the harmony that can be obtained when we live sustainably."
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About Steele and the photo
Steele Aspland, Grade 2 at St. James Parish School in Sebastopol.
Steele says "we need to care for all of nature, from the tallest trees to the tiniest mushrooms that hide beneath the grass. The unseen world is vital to the health of the ecosystem and even though some organisms are hard to see, they can often be the ones keeping everything healthy."
Steele has been part of caring for our environment by picking up rubbish on Clean up Australia Day and helping to audit their school's water use.
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