Community
16 April, 2025
Loving moment shines
DOCTOR, mother of four and photography enthusiast Katrina Starmer has showcased the region with her photography skills and been shortlisted as a finalist in the coveted 2025 Galah Regional Photography Prize.
Selected from more than 1100 entries across all corners of regional Australia, Dr Starmer is among 37 contemporary and professional photographers to be shortlisted for the competition, carrying a total prize pool of $27,000.
The only artist from North Queensland selected, Dr Starmer also stands out as the only amateur photographer as a finalist.
Dr Starmer said she was very surprised to be shortlisted, given the calibre of the photographers.
“I enjoy taking photos and have always wanted to do a photography course, but I never got around to doing one,” she said.
“I work at the Cairns hospital and for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I like to take photos of my family, friends, colleagues and some of the little rural towns I work in.
“My favourite achievement, though, was when this same photo won first prize at the Cairns show, the same year that my daughter Lilah won the junior photography section.
“Photos are submitted and judged anonymously for Cairns Show, so this was a fabulous coincidence.
“Local paediatrician and professional photographer Dr Tim Warnock presented a prize to us, and it was such a special moment, as he had been present in the birthing suite when Lilah was born 11 years earlier.
“It was like a little mini reunion.”
Galah founder Annabelle Hickson said the national regional photography prize was created to celebrate the incredible talent thriving beyond metropolitan art hubs, showcasing the diversity, complexity and beauty of regional Australia.
“The quality of work submitted this year is remarkable,” Ms Hickson said. “It’s a privilege to provide a platform where regional photographers can share their stories, perspectives, and technical brilliance with a wider audience,” she said.
Showcased alongside 42 standout images, Ms Starmer’s work will be on display from Friday, April 11, in Armidale’s New England Regional Art Museum, with the winners revealed at a celebratory exhibition party on Friday, May 2.
The prize is presented in collaboration with Good Weekend magazine and Found Regional and its platform REGGIE, with support from Creative Partnerships Australia alongside the Burton Taylor Foundation.
See the shortlisted photographs at https://bit.ly/43LfI9L
