From golden hour harvests to the little boots of the next generation, this year's Click 26 Photo Competition has delivered a stunning visual tribute to Australia's cotton industry. 

With more than 160 entries submitted from cotton communities across Australia - from Mount Isa in the north to as far south as Conargo in New South Wales - the competition has once again proven that Australian cotton is much more than a crop. It’s a way of life built on family, community, and a deep connection to the land. 

This year’s winners highlight the fact that the story of Australian cotton is one best told by the people who live it. The award recipients include: 

• First place winner: Cam Stewart, Moree ‘Sunrise on Cotton Country’ 
• Runner up: Micaela Caro, Moree ‘A Million Questions in the Field’ 
• People of Cotton winner:  Samantha Kaarsberg, Kuluin ‘Two Cousins from Different Worlds’ 
• Working in Cotton winner: Cameron Moon, St George ‘Precision and Pattern’ 
• Life in Cotton Country winner: Lucy Cush (entrant) and Heidi Morris (Lens of Rosie, photographer) Moree ‘Good Middling’ 
• Wildcard winner: Kate Lumber, Moree ‘Alfie’ 

“The calibre of entries this year was outstanding, it was a very tough decision for the judges,” Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said. 

“The winning photos showcase the story of Australian cotton – from Mt Isa to Coleambally. 

“Congratulations to all the winners and well done to everyone who took the time to enter the competition.” 

The Click 26 Photo Competition theme was The people behind Australian cotton, focusing on the individuals, places and everyday moments that shape the industry. 

While there were plenty of beautiful images of white fields, this year’s entries captured some key themes - the multi-generational spirit of farming families, the resilience and dedication of growers, and the deep connection between cotton communities and the land they steward. 

Family, legacy and the next generation was a standout theme, with many entries featuring children learning about farming – fathers teaching sons, babies experiencing their first cotton harvest, and children playing in the fields and amongst the bales. 

Aimee Brock’s entry in the Working in Cotton category, of a father starting siphons with his sons, sums this up. 

“Side by side, a father and his sons set the water running across the paddock, beginning another cotton season,” she said of her photo. 

“It's a job that takes hard work and patience, but it's also a chance to pass on the practical skills and knowledge that come from working the land. As the water starts its journey through the cotton crop, so too does the next generation's understanding of the dedication, resilience, and commitment that farming demands.” 

Another key theme is the hard work and dedication of cotton farming, with many captions emphasising effort, patience and resilience, like Amie Hosking’s caption for her entry in the People of Cotton category. 

“People see a farmer. I see my dad - a man who has worked the land, prayed for the crop, and carried the weight of both good seasons and bad,” she said. 

“Even on the hardest days, he continues to show up, knowing that what he does is bigger than himself and the paddocks of cotton stretching beyond the horizon.” 

There were also some deeply personal stories like Nathan Bell’s wildcard entry – “For me the ‘positive’ story behind this image is created because of my brain cancer journey that I am going through, and I simply find that being positive makes a big difference when you are fighting hard. Be the one that positively stands taller because the sky’s the limit, so don’t give up.” 

As always, there were lots of entries featuring beloved pets, including horses and plenty of loyal dogs who are great companions during long days in the paddock. Georgia Ditchfield’s entry for Working in Cotton features Doug, whose first cotton season was full of lessons - “Most importantly, if you don't like swimming, don't try to hop across irrigation channels. Fortunately, he learned fast and was back supervising irrigation shifts in no time.” 

The beauty of the landscape, trucks and pickers and golden hour images also featured heavily in this year’s competition. 

Each entry is a reminder that behind every bale is a community of growers, families, workers and regional businesses who continue to shape the Australian cotton industry. 

The winning photographs will be on display at the Cotton Australia stand during the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast in August, where attendees will have the opportunity to vote for the last category to be decided – the People’s Choice Award.