We’re inviting people who live, work or play in the Macedon Ranges to enter our Free to Be Me Photo Competition with images that challenge gender stereotypes.
For example, images that show:
- Men showing care or gentleness
- Women showing strength or leadership
- Non-binary people taking part in activities or roles often linked to one gender
This competition and exhibition are part of the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Violence against women, girls and non-binary people is preventable – and by challenging stereotypes about what men, women and non-binary people “should” do, we can all help change the story.
- First Place Adult: $200 Cash + $200 Framing by Maddisons
- First Place Youth (12-25): $150 Cash + $150 Framing by Maddisons
- Highly Commended Adult: $100 Cash
- Highly Commended Youth: $50 Cash
- Zonta Club of Kyneton People’s Choice Award: $200 cash
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is not liable to any entrant and/or winner for any cancellation, changes or unavailability of the prizes. This includes, but is not limited to, the inability to retrieve the prize from the email address it was issued to, for whatever reason.
Where a prize is unavailable for any reason, Macedon Ranges Shire Council reserves the right to provide a substitute prize of equal or greater value.
- 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.
- One photo per entry.
- Each photo needs a title and short description (100 words or less).
- Make sure your photo is in line with the Conditions of Entry and Judging Criteria outlined on this page.
- Shortlisted photographers will be notified via email or phone.
- Using the Judging Criteria set out below, the judges will shortlist the entries down to the top twenty-five (25) photos.
- Shortlisted entries will be showcased in an exhibition to be held in the Macedon Ranges during the 16 Days of Activism 2025.
- Shortlisted photos will be opened for online public voting for the Zonta Club of Kyneton People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced through social media.
- Winners (First Place Adult, First Place Youth, Highly Commended Adult, Highly Commended Youth) will be announced at an Award Ceremony.
- Exhibition closes on Friday 12 December at 3pm.
- 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.
- Each participant can submit one photograph only.
- Participants must enter as either Youth or Adult. Youth participants are between 12 and 25 years. Adults are all participants over 25 years.
- Entries must be submitted with a completed entry form, including all required information.
- All participants must have appropriate consent from the subjects in their images to be eligible.
- All photographs must be original works taken by the participant.
- The judging panel's decisions are final and binding.
- The People’s Choice Award will be chosen by community members voting online.
- Entries must be to specifications 300 dpi and 2,000 pixels (or 275mm).
- AI generated images will not be accepted.
- Entries must comply with Child Safety Standards and be suitable for a broad audience including people of all ages.
- Photographs must be taken in the Macedon Ranges or depict residents of the Macedon Ranges.
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 (Entrants must select one)
- Challenging restrictive gender stereotypes and expectations
- Creativity and storytelling
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, on this platform to facilitate the public voting process, and as per the Terms and Conditions agreed to in the entry form.
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.
The images featured in the banner on this page are shortlisted entries from the 2024 Free to Be Me Photo Competition.
