'Hamersley Gorge' is Australia's 2015 Top GeoShot

14 October 2015

Top GeoShot 2015 overall winner:
Craig Burns - Hamersley Gorge

Craig Burns from the Australian Capital Territory has taken out Geoscience Australia's 2015 Top Geoshot photo competition, with his photo of Hamersley Gorge in Western Australia.

Winning entries in the annual competition were announced in Canberra today, capturing the essence of Earth science and showcasing Australia's unique geology.

Chosen from an outstanding field of 315 entries from across Australia, Craig Burns' photo highlighted this year's theme, 'Rock Stars', by capturing the folding and rock strata in Hamersley Gorge in Western Australia's iron ore country.

Geoscience Australia's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chris Pigram, reflected on the aim of the annual photo competition, which is a highlight of Australian Earth Science Week celebrations.

"Earth science is all around us and makes a significant difference to our everyday lives. This competition aims to raise awareness of our geological heritage and encourages people to consider the importance of geology in our world," Dr Pigram said.

"Entries in this year's competition were of a very high standard, emphasising Australia's natural beauty by creatively capturing many of our natural tourism features and magnificent landscapes."

"It was great to see such a wide representation from across the nation, with a large proportion of entries coming from New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia," Dr Pigram added.

Sanden Cook from Tasmania took out the Junior category, for ages 12 years and under, with his photo 'Sculptured by Ice', an artistic view of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania taken through a shard of ice.

The Intermediate category, for ages 13-17 years, was won by Sanden's older sister Sienna Cook, with her photo 'Dark side of the Mountain', also taken at Cradle Mountain.

The People's Choice was won by Junnel Alegado with a photo titled 'Whale Rock and Friends', taken in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Each year Geoscience Australia encourages photographers of all ages to celebrate our amazing Earth, by entering the Top GeoShot photography competition. Entries are received in three categories: Junior, Intermediate and Open. Top Geoshot entries are judged on their creativity and fit with the theme - which in 2015 was 'Rock Stars'.

View the entries or visit us to view a selection of entries now on display in the foyer as part of Earth Science Week celebrations. These will continue to be displayed throughout the year.