Seventeen-year-old Toowoomba State High School student Claire Tarlinton has been named the winner of the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) 2025 Creative Competition with a striking photo that uses tangled roots to explore resilience and growth.
Her winning entry, The Roots, captures nature’s beauty through a single image, using an intricate web of tree roots as a reflection of perseverance and personal transformation.
Now in its second year, the Creative Competition is led by the UniSQ School of Business, Law, Humanities and Pathways and celebrates the creativity of Year 11 and 12 students across Queensland.
Following the success of its inaugural year, the competition offered students a chance to shine through digital, written, video, illustrated, or audio formats – with cash prizes of $1,000 for first place and $500 for runner-up.
Students could enter in a variety of categories, including Creative Writing, Photography, Advertising, Journalism, Media Studies, English Literature, and Communication.
We recently spoke to Claire about her experience and the inspiration behind The Roots.
Why did you decide to enter the 2025 Creative Competition?
I first learned about the 2025 Creative Competition from one of my teachers at school. After taking part in my school’s competition, the teachers strongly encouraged me to submit my work to the larger event.
Tell us about your winning entry, The Roots. What inspired your work?
The Roots is a piece I deeply connect with. When I look at it, I’m reminded of all the mistakes, challenges, and rough patches it had to push through to become what it is today. Its growth mirrors my own. At the time I created it, I was going through a difficult period, and this piece now reminds me to stay focused on the future, learn from the struggles, embrace who I am, and keep moving forward without giving up.
How did you feel when you found out you were the winner of the 2025 Creative Competition?
I was shocked, grateful, and amazed, but more than anything, it gave me the confidence to believe I can build a future in photography.
Do you have any specific career ambitions? Do you hope to pursue university study?
It’s hard to say right now, but I’d love to continue in this line of work. For the moment, my main priority is finishing Year 12 this year and then seeing where the future takes me. I’ve found a few photography courses that I’m interested in pursuing.
