Making a difference with a Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant

6 March 2025

In 2023, Wayne Reinke received the inaugural Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant for his dedication to conservation and photography. Managed by Wildlife Queensland and funded by a trust from renowned photographer Wayne Lawler, the grant supports Australian non-professional photographers in showcasing community-led conservation. Wayne Reinke kindly shares his journey and a few of his many striking images below.

Capturing conservation

As an amateur photographer with a deep passion for birdlife, receiving the Wayne Lawler Nature Photography Grant has validated my passion for wildlife photography, prompting me to explore remote areas and capture images of rare species. Through this grant, I have been able to provide essential documentation for conservation efforts for several organisations and share my passion with the wider community.

The unexpected outcome was that I had contact with various people with skills and knowledge about ecology, conservation and the area’s unique botanical history. This has reinforced my determination to assist in the preservation of the dwindling habitat for these wonderful, often rare, species of birds living in the Fraser Coast region.

Through the grant, more people today understand how important the riparian areas and tracts of native vegetation are within our state forests and plantations as safe havens for our dwindling wildlife.

Not just a pine forest

One of the areas I photographed covers more than 600 sq km of state forest and commercial pine plantation, stretching from north-east of Gympie to Maryborough. People often dismiss it as “just a pine forest,” but few realise this landscape was once a magnificent native forest—similar to those on Fraser Island (K’gari)—before being cleared for timber. In fact, Maryborough earned the title “The Timber City” because of its thriving timber industry.

Despite this transformation, the region’s deep sandy soils, high rainfall, and perched waterways continue to sustain a productive commercial plantation interwoven with rich habitat and waterways. Native wildlife has found refuge in the habitat’s relative isolation. Imagine if future generations chose to restore this vast, unurbanised area with its original native species, such as kauri and cedar, bringing back the grandeur of the forest that once stood here.

Awareness of threatened species

Furthermore, many images I have shared with the local community and social media groups have helped raise awareness of threatened species inhabiting sensitive habitats, catchments, and ecosystems within the pine forests.

Unfortunately, these species are at risk from the adverse effects of the proposed Forest Wind Farm development in the region. Ironically, I photographed and documented vulnerable glossy black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) and a critically endangered regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) just 400m from a proposed wind turbine site. As a result of some of my discoveries, further environmental studies are underway in the area.

Sometimes, I encountered behaviour I never expected in a pine plantation—for example, I saw hundreds of yellow-tailed black-cockatoos now farming the pine forest for grubs (in dead and rotting pine trees) and feasting on healthy pinecones for their seeds

My photo exhibition

Last year, my photos were put into an exhibition at the Gatica Art Space in Maryborough. The exhibition highlighted the beauty and abundance of many rare species in the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay region. My photos have also supported the Glenwood Wildlife Awareness Association Inc., which has been instrumental in educating the public, advocating for habitat conservation and conducting surveys in areas at risk from the wind farm development.

In addition, I have been leading field trips for local citizens, including a young, passionate amateur photographer. Under my guidance, he has flourished, researching species and posting valuable information on the Glenwood Wildlife Awareness Facebook page. His growing enthusiasm and knowledge suggest he could become a significant force in wildlife conservation.

Honouring Wayne Lawler

Overall, the Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant has given me the time and confidence to go beyond my usual activities to document wildlife and support conservation efforts. It has also allowed me to inspire other residents of the area and, most importantly, encourage the next generation of environmental advocates.

I am very grateful to have been an ambassador for the memory of Wayne Lawler and to have been an advocate for Queensland’s precious native species. Thank you, Wildlife Queensland, for the privilege of receiving such a unique memoriam.

Wayne Reinke.

Would you like to apply for the grant?

• The 2025 Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant is now open. For more details on how to apply, click here.