The recently completed 2022 “Central West is Best Photography Competition” has been hailed the best yet!

Now in its fourth year, the Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) run competition, continues to grow and draw more entries each year.

‘Central West Unmasked’ was the theme for 2022, with photographers encouraged to capture the true nature of our region and unveil hidden gems.

“We received so many outstanding entries across the Junior and Open categories this year, which really made for a tough decision for our judges,” RDA Central West Director, Wayne Sunderland, said.

“This year we wanted to focus on why the Central West is a great place to live and visit, through images of people, places and events — after all, it's home to 180,000 people and is made up of some terrific towns and villages and beautiful landscapes.

“We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who entered the competition – we are thrilled to announce this year’s prize winners and congratulate everyone who entered to make the 2022 competition the best year yet.”

The 2022 Central West is Best Photography Competition winners are:

Junior (Under 18 years)

•  Winner: ‘Into the light’ taken by Poppy Starr at Cowra

• Runner-up: ‘If a shed could tell a story’ taken by Ella Gibson at Baldry

• Special mention: ‘Rory in the mud’ taken by Amelia O’Reilly at Tullibigeal

Open (18 years and over)

• Winner: ‘Yarn around the campfire’ taken by Craig Murphy at Hill End

•  Runner-up: ‘On the wire’ taken by Maddy Barnes at Orange

• Special mention: ‘Galactic Ruins’ taken by Mitchell Kable at Lithgow

A gallery featuring all of the entries from the 2022 competition can be viewed on the RDA Central West website at: www.rdacentralwest.org.au/projects/central-west-is-best-gallery