Expectations and beliefs about what people can or can't do because of their gender contributes to violence against women. Men can be gentle. Women can be powerful.

This year, Macedon Ranges Shire Council invites people to send in photographs showing how challenging restrictive gender stereotypes and expectations can create a safer community.

Photograph yourself, friends, family or someone you know who through their work, hobbies or leisure, and their everyday lives, challenges restrictive gender stereotypes and experiences.

Entries are welcomed in the following categories: Live, Work, or Play.

  • First Place Adult: $200 cash plus $200 framing by Maddisons of Gisborne
  • First Place Youth (12-25): $150 cash plus $150 framing by Maddisons of Gisborne
  • Highly Commended Adult: $100 cash
  • Highly Commended Youth: $50 cash
  • People’s Choice: $100 framing by Maddisons of Gisborne
  • The competition is open to individuals aged 12 years and over.
  • Participants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian to enter.
  • Photographs must be taken in the Macedon Ranges or depict residents of the Macedon Ranges.
  • All participants must have appropriate consent from the subjects in their images to be eligible.
  • Each participant can submit one photograph for each category, with a maximum of three photographs overall.
  • A separate entry form must be completed for each entry.
  • Participants must select a theme for each photograph entered: Live, Work or Play.
  • Participants must enter as either Youth or Adult.
  • Youth participants are between 12 and 25 years.
  • Adults are all participants over 25 years.
  • The judging panel's decisions are final and binding.
  • The People’s Choice Award will be chosen by community members voting online.
  • Entries must should be 300dpi and at least 3508 x 4961 pixels.
  • Photographs must be in digital format (JPEG or PNG), with no filters or effects.
  • Participants must have permission from any recognisable individuals in the photograph to use their image in the competition.
  • All photographs must be original works taken by the participant.
  • Entries must be suitable for a broad audience and will be displayed publicly online and at a local venue during the 16 Days of Activism.

Eligible entries will be shortlisted by the judges on behalf of Macedon Ranges Shire Council according to the criteria set out below:

  • Connection to Macedon Ranges Shire through the themes: Live, Work or Play
  • Challenging restrictive gender stereotypes and expectations
  • Creativity

Submit your entry

Before you begin:

  • make sure you have read and understood the 'Conditions of entry' section above.
  • have your photo saved somewhere you can easily access as you'll need to upload it in this form when prompted.
  • if you are under 18 years of age, have a parent or guardian close by as they will need to complete a section of this form.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to protecting your privacy.

The personal information (full name, email, phone, parental/guardianship details) you provide through this competition is being collected for the primary purpose of judging your entry, ensuring competition conditions of entry are met and to enable two-way communication where appropriate to keep you updated in relation to this competition.

Where required, the personal information being collected will be provided to Macedon Ranges Shire Council staff, competition judges and contractors, to enable them to communicate with you in relation to the competition where appropriate.

The photo you submit - which may contain your image or the personal information as described in the conditions of entry and attribution details alongside your entry (first name only) - may be used or displayed publicly, such as at a public venue during the exhibition period or on this Your Say platform to facilitate the public voting process.

If the personal information is not collected, we will not be able to accept your competition entry.

Your personal information (full name, email, phone, parental/guardianship details) will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law.

If you wish to gain access to, or alter any personal information you have supplied through this consultation, please contact Macedon Ranges Shire Council via phone (03) 5422 0333 or email mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au.

Information provided will be stored in accordance with Council’s Record Management Policy and destroyed in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973.

You can access our Privacy Policy on Council's website, and it is available for inspection at Council’s customer service centres.