Corrigin’s Jackie Grylls wins CBH Photo Comp with her stunning image of a ‘Bush Christmas’ at Bulyee Hall

The winners of the 2022 CBH Photography Competition are a touching tribute to the many meaningful moments in the lives of families in regional WA.

The heartfelt images capture the moments shaping the lives of those behind the lens.

In its 22nd year, the grain handler’s annual competition — which this year had the theme “Milestones” — received more than 200 entries from members across the State.

But it was Corrigin farmer Jackie Grylls image of a bush Christmas at Bulyee Hall that came out on top.

The golden-hued photograph was taken last December during the community’s annual get together, where farmers press pause on harvest for a night spent with family and friends.

“It’s a really lovely night and something I think most of the families with little kids look forward to,” Mrs Grylls said.

“The mums and dads are working so hard, so it’s nice for those kids to have their parents off for the night and get a little special present from Santa and we get to do all those fun activities with them.”

Countryman’s senior journalist Shannon Verhagen was among the judges this year, joined by Farm Weekly journalist Shannon Beattie, ABC Country Hour presenter Belinda Varischetti and the competition’s 2021 winner Amanda Stewart, of Buniche.

“It was a really difficult decision with so many great entries, however we love the Best Photograph because it captures exactly what a true bush Christmas is all about,” the judges said.

“Christmas is a big milestone to reach each harvest, particularly with the record-breaker last season, but the community still come together to create memories for their children. It is nicely lit and framed and generates such warmth.”

Jackie Grylls photography journey has come full circle with the win, after she purchased her first DSLR camera as an 18-year-old after saving up her wages from her first harvest at CBH.

She has since pursued photography as a hobby, keeping the camera in the ute at all times on the farm to capture any special moments that come her way.

“I’m known as the paparazzi on my farm,” Mrs Grylls laughed.

The win came as a happy surprise to the keen snapper.

“I’m very stoked,” she said.

“It’s something that I’ve entered in a lot and I’m always so impressed with the quality of the entries that go into them.

“I never enter thinking to win, I always just enter because I like sharing my photos with others.

“I’m really happy.”

Her prize was a $1500 Crown Perth accommodation gift voucher and $1000 donated to the charity of her choice, which was the Bulyee Community Hall, to help build a community garden.

In the Insta Snap category, Jo Ashworth’s emotive photograph was the winner.

Titled “Until Next Time”, the beautifully lit image captured the emotion of saying goodbye to children when they leave the farm for boarding school.

Ms Ashworth, from Kalannie, won a $500 Crown Perth Accommodation gift voucher, plus $500 donated to the charity of her choice — the Kalannie Youth Ball Blue Tree Project.

A bright and happy photograph with a backstory was the winner of the People’s Choice by a landslide, receiving the highest number of votes (386) of any image submitted in the competition’s 22 years.

The image titled “Checking Out the Canola”, by Merredin’s Sarah Carr, captures her son Oliver with a cheeky grin on a toy John Deere celebrating his milestone of 11 months in their canola crop.

Born at just 27 weeks, Oliver spent three months in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after birth.

Ms Carr won a $500 Crown Perth Accommodation gift voucher and $500 donated to a charity of her choice.

She chose Ronald McDonald House WA, which supported her family during the difficult time.

CBH chief external relations officer David Paton said the CBH photo competition was a “proud tradition” and this year’s theme was chosen to encourage people to share important moments they held dear.

“Undoubtedly, 2022 has created many new milestones for our growers and their families as we move through COVID-19,” he said.

“Our communities achieve so much and experience not only the highs but the hard times too and we wanted to showcase this through our competition theme.” To showcase the entries and celebrate the start of harvest, a selection of the photos entered will be exhibited on the ground floor of CBH’s head office building from October 3-21.

“The exhibition is a great way to showcase regional life to a metropolitan audience and highlights the achievements and the challenges of our growers,” Mr Paton said.