All the prize winners from TroutFest 2025

Sapphire Roller and her husband from Black Mountain enjoyed Ian Russell's background music at the Opening Night and prize presentations
14th Oct 2025

Children’s Writing
TroutFest judges enjoyed the funny, serious, and entertaining stories written by children in the handwritten story competition. 10-12 year-olds 1st Claudia Evans, equal 2nd Clayton Peltonen and Dustin Turnham.
7,8 and 9 years: 1st Sadie MacDougall, 2nd Phoebe Peltonen with her drawing and writing. Cooper Turnham 1st and Anna Rowbottom 2nd in the 5, 6 and 7 group.
Junior Art
This was a delight to see with so many ideas about why I live where I live: Five to six years: 1st Oscar MacDougall, 2nd Baxter McFarlane. Seven years 1st Lane Cruickshank, 2nd Hudson Hay and Highly Commended Thomas Chapman. Eleven to thirteen: 1st Ricky Jay Foster, 2nd Charlotte Baea, Highly commended Ted Warner and Tessa Roberson.
All the children in the 5 to 6 years group received a highly commended for entering with such fun and imaginative ideas.
We made a special category for St Mary’s Collage entries. 1st Chloe, 2nd Elliot Bush highly commended Louisa, and Penny McLennon.
Youth Photography
Several brilliant entries were received from Guyra Central School with all entries providing intriguing approaches to the subject matter. First was Carmella Archer, 2nd Tyreece Phillips, Highly Commended Lilli Eddy. Thank you for your entries and to all the teachers who assisted with entries. Prizes were sponsored by Guyra Pharmacy.
Prizes for all junior sections will be delivered to schools after the holidays.
Adult winners
Photography Jenny Rogers 1st, Jon Cumming 2nd.
Art Oil and Acrylics sponsored by Guyra Pharmacy: 1st Pen Shepard from Kootingal, 2nd Anne Hazelwood from Glen Innes, Highly Commended Lauren Elise Glen Innes.
In the Print making category Mary Quinn from Armidale took out both 1st and 2nd.
The Textiles and 3D category went to Louise Pearson of Guyra and 2nd to Sapphire Roller from Black Mountain. Jenna Howatson received a highly commended for her exquisite group of tatting pieces.
Judge Rachel Parsons of NERAM was very complimentary about the standard of art and its presentation. Organizers were extremely pleased with the level of sales from the exhibition with art going far and wide, and the number of visitors
Scrap Metal to Masterpiece was won by Graham Ramage and David Troost took out second and third prizes. Again, this year there was lots of skill and fun displayed in the entries.