The Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council Inc (GACCI) event saw the gallery full of photography enthusiasts and art lovers as the winners were announced on Friday June 22.

GACCI member Dave Keen welcomed the crowd and introduced this year’s judge from Newcastle, Stephen Barry.

Stephen spoke about the community feel of the competition and the importance of having the entrants’ photographs displayed in the gallery. He had spent the day judging the photographs across a range of categories, and said he found it challenging to choose a winner due to the quality of the work.

With 20 years of photography experience and a bundle of awards under his belt, Stephen spoke about his passion for photography, explaining how a photograph is about telling a story without words.

“The authors of these photographs should be proud,” he said. “If you take an image and you like it, that's the reward.”

After his inspiring words, the winners were announced.

Major Prize – Frosty Feather by Lea Mackinnon

Lie of the Land: 1st – Bucketts of Calm by Linda Benson; 2nd –  After the Rain by Shayne Gardiner; Advocate Publishing Prize – Burning Off Towards Gloucester by Rachel Saunders

Faces I Have Met: 1st – The Swimmer by Deb Murrell; 2nd – Yawuru Man by Noel Monro

Natural Environment: 1st – Frosty Feather – Lea Mackinnon; 2nd – Red Neck Pademelon by Deb Murrell

Not Your Normal Photo: 1st – Nature’s Lace by Rachel Saunders; 2nd – Local Eggs: Six of the Best by Dale Rabbett

Man Made: 1st – Holding On by Brian Carlson; 2nd – Hamburg Harbour: Bridges to the World by Deb Murrell

Absence of Colour: 1st – It Must Be Love by Shayne Gardiner; 2nd – Upwards by Brian Carlson

Gloucester Postcards: 1st – Drawn to the Flower by Emerson Ross; 2nd – Life in a Ball by Emerson Ross

Junior: 1st – Mossy Falls by Ryan Beggs; 2nd – Dandelion Flower by Toreen Denyer

Pix from the Stix exhibition in the Gloucester Gallery, 25 Denison Street will run until July 15. The gallery is open Thursday to Saturday from 10am - 4pm and Sunday from 10am - 1pm