Full list of winners from 50th Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards

Published on 10 November 2025

Sharlene Cheetham – “I’m just here for the fun”.jpg

Local artist Sharlene Cheetham has been named as Overall Winner of The 50th Rio Tinto Yarwun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards held at Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM) on Saturday 8 November.

This year, 214 entries were received and displayed, including:

  • 114 Section 1 entries, Easel Works
  • 44 Section 2 entries, Works on Paper
  • 39 Section 3 entries, Three Dimensions & Fibre Works
  • 17 Section 4 entries, Digital Works.

Overall Winner – Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award, sponsored by Rio Tinto Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited

$20,000

Sharlene Cheetham

“I’m just here for the fun” (pictured above right)

The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award, sponsored by Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum

$5,000

Christina MacDonald

Heritage

The Pieter Groen-int-woud Memorial Young Emerging Artist Award, sponsored by Multitrade Building Hire

$1,500

Caelum Grant (Iman)

Food Chain

The Local Murri Artist Award, sponsored by Elizabeth and Leo Zussino

$1,500

Patricia Harry (Kala Lagawya)

PASSING KNOWLEDGE

The Local Artist Award, sponsored by Gail Sellers

$1,500

Beverly O’Brien

Woman and Flowers

The Installers’ Choice Award, sponsored by Ana’s Spa Massage & Beauty Therapy

$500

Phoebe Bell

The Naked Nude

Section 1: Easel Paintings

First Prize, sponsored by QER Pty Ltd – Queensland Energy Resources

$2,000

Linda Kypriadakis

Waikarakia (waters of prayer)

Second Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Area Water Board

$1,000

Ping Carlyon

Muscles&Brushstrokes/CheatDay2

Third Prize, sponsored by TVH

$500

Sable Whitesand

In Eyeshadow

Section 2: Works on Paper

First Prize, sponsored by APLNG ConocoPhillips

$2,000

William Debois

The Outcome

Second Prize, sponsored by Central Apartment Group

$1,000

Carmen Beezley-Drake

Rainbow Refractions

Third Prize, sponsored by Scrapbook Fantasies

$500

Bridie Weaver

On the Changing Tide

Section 3: Three Dimensional and Fibre Works

First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited

$2,000

Andreia Pereira

All the Sea there, not Fineware

Second Prize, sponsored by Unfiltered Beauty Photography

$1,000

Cate Verney

“It Hangs by a Delicate Thread”

Third Prize, sponsored by Natalia Muszkat

$500

Geoffrey Head

Aftermath

Section 4: Digital Works

First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Area Water Board

$2,000

Diane Armstrong

Resonance

Second Prize, sponsored by CQUniversity Australia

$1,000

Jen Hollstein

Witness Me

Third Prize, sponsored by Friends of the Theatre (Gladstone) Inc.

$500

Tabatha McCurdie

Threads of Awareness.

Want to be your own judge?

Voting is open for the QAL People’s Choice Awards, closing 2pm on Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Voting is simple:

  • Visit GRAGM and enjoy the exhibition
  • Scan the QR Code and enter your details prior to 2pm, Saturday 24 January 2026
  • Choose your favourite in each section
  • The QAL People’s Choice Awards Winners win $500 each.

Visit gragm.qld.gov.au for more details.

The 50th Rio Tinto Yarun & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards exhibition will be on display until Saturday, 7 February 2026.