Where there is life, there is hope. Photographer – Maureen Duncan.

THE winners of the highly regarded Life and Light in the Western Region Photo Competition have been announced and they include some striking images of outback life and wildlife.

Drink o’clock at the waterhole. Photographer – Ruth Sandow.

The competition attracted 272 entries this year in nine categories, all of which were taken in the Western Local Land Services region and linked to the theme of ‘Beyond the dust’.

The Life and Light Photo Competition is run jointly by Western Local Land Services and Western Landcare NSW, with the prize money provided by sponsors.

Just having a rest. Photographer – Charli Smith.

White Cliffs resident Charli Smith showed she is one of the most talented young photographers in the far west by taking out both the secondary colour and secondary black and white categories.

Charli was the winner of the secondary colour category last year and was thrilled to hear she had won in both categories, especially considering the quality of entrants.

“I was really surprised and happy to hear I had won as I know how many people take part in this competition each year.

“The Life and Light comp is something I look forward to taking part in every year and it always produces such amazing photos across all categories,” Charli said.

For further information on the photo competition, and to view galleries of the images from this year and previous years, visit www.lifeandlight.com.au.

Wilderness. Photographer – Myriam Bruinen.

2019 Life and Light Photo Competition winners

• Colour open – “Drink ‘o’ clock at the waterhole” by Ruth Sandow
• Colour secondary – “Beauty After the Dust” by Charli Smith
• Colour primary – “Desert Flowers” by Abbie Kelly
• Black and white open – “Where there is life, there is hope” by Maureen Duncan
• Black and white secondary – “Just Having a Rest” by Charli Smith
• Black and White primary – “Donkey Stare Off” by Zahra Cawley
• Professional – “Webs on Cotton Field” by Myriam Bruinen
• People’s choice – “Calm Before the Dust” by Jessie Rogers.