MADEC is delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Places & Spaces Photography Competition, celebrating the creativity and talent of young photographers across the region.
Taking out first place is Flynn Raymond Kynaston (12 years old) for his striking entry Easter Sunday (2025). Flynn has been awarded a Fujifilm Instax Mini camera, generously sponsored by Garricks Camera House Mackay.
Highly Commended (Second Place) was awarded to Kaleb Gray (16 years old) for Beach Access (2025). For Highly Commended (Third Place), the judges recognised a tie between Cade Mackay (15 years old) for Flow (2025) and Louis McCulloch (16 years old) for Maybe It Was the Weather (2025).
The winners were announced alongside the Places & Spaces photography exhibition, now on display at Gordon White Library, Mackay from 1-30 September, proudly supported by BB Print. MADEC also acknowledges Mackay Regional Council Libraries for generously framing the finalists’ works for the exhibition.
“The creativity, perspective, and emotion captured in these works is extraordinary,” said Keely Shepherd, Youth Services Manager at MADEC.
“Flynn’s winning photograph Easter Sunday shows such a powerful eye for detail, especially from someone so young. We couldn’t be prouder of all our entrants.”
Jasmine Lowry, CEO of MADEC, added: “This competition highlights the voices of young people in our community.
"The passion and stories behind each image remind us why it’s so important to have platforms for young people to share their perspectives. We congratulate Flynn, Kaleb, Cade, Louis, and all our finalists for sharing their vision with us.”
Exhibition Details
What: Places & Spaces Photography Exhibition
When: 1-30 September 2025
Where: Gordon White Library 54 Phillip Street, Mount Pleasant
Casey Grundy (MADEC YESS Youth Worker), Flynn Kynaston (Winner), Kaleb Gray (Second Place), and Keely Shepherd (MADEC Youth Services Manager)
“Easter Sunday (2025)” by Flynn Raymond Kynaston, 12 years old – winner of first place in this year’s competition
Highly Commended work from the competition, “Beach Access (2025)” by Kaleb Gray. Photos supplied
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