Exterior PowerhouseFirst Place 'Exterior' - Brisbane Open House Sometimes you enter a photography competition, think "well, you never know..." and then completely forget about it.

And sometimes you get an email telling you that you've won!

That happened to me with the 2026 Brisbane Open House Photography Competition.

My photograph of Brisbane Powerhouse was awarded First Place in the Exterior category, and last night I had the pleasure of attending the drinks and nibblies evening for all the Open House hosts, and to officially receive my certificate from competition sponsors, BlueScope.

But the story of the photograph actually started a few weeks ago when the open house was run.

I'd booked to visit several Brisbane Open House locations over the weekend, but just four weeks before the event I had broken six ribs. Needless to say, my plans were looking a little ambitious! After spending several weeks at home recovering and the BOP weekend quickly approaching, I decided I was at least going to make it to one or two Open House venues I'd put into my calendar. Plus having been housebound for so long, the goal was to 'make' myself go out no matter how I was feeling!! (I ended up only going to one venue as I was incredibly pained after walking around with the guide for an hour :/ ) 

But. That one venue turned out to be Brisbane Powerhouse. :D

And I'm very glad it did.

Although I've attended many performances there over the years, I'd never had the opportunity to explore behind the scenes. The Open House tour gave us the chance to wander through areas normally off limits to the public, while our guides shared stories of the building's history, including a few ghostly tales along the way.

About half way through we had stepped outside and were exploring the outer public areas. I was presented with the scene that formed the winning image. I stopped one of the guides, convinced the spectacular orange flowers cascading over the old brickwork had to be artificial. Surely they couldn't be real?

Of course, they were.

Winner - exterior - Brisbane Open House (BOP)Presented by Ann, yes, a namesake ;) ! The guide nudged me closer and explained that they were an Orange Trumpet Vine. I was fascinated by the contrast, the explosion of orange against the weathered brick, the softness of the pink seating below, and the way nature had found its way across the remnants of the old power station.

I took many photos from different angles, but the front on image of the  façade was the one I liked the most, and I sent it off, not really thinking much more about it. 

Until, of course, I received that email.

First Place - Exterior.

And then came last night's gathering of all the BOP hosts and the presentation.

The evening was held at the beautiful United Service Club in Spring Hill, a magnificent venue I'd never been to before. It was a wonderful setting with it's own architectural beauty, for an evening to celebrate Brisbane's buildings, architecture and the people who help preserve and share them with us each year. (though many are open throughout the whole year!)

What made the night particularly interesting was meeting some of the fascinating people behind Brisbane Open House, including the welcoming lady who manages Queensland's Government House and representatives from Brisbane City Council. Hearing their stories and getting an insight into the work that goes on behind some of Brisbane's most interesting architectural places was a real highlight.

And then there was that lovely moment when I was handed my certificate.

I'm incredibly grateful to Brisbane Open House and BlueScope for recognising my photograph, and very proud that this particular image will represent the 2026 competition for 'exterior'.
All the other winning photos of the other categories were magnificent and my congratulations to the other photographers too! 

It's funny to think that I almost didn't make it any of the Brisbane Open House venues at all. I was determined to get to at least one in, and that one decision ended up giving me a photograph I certainly didn't expect.

You can see all the 2026 winning images and read more about the Brisbane Open House Photography Competition on the Brisbane Open House website here.

And if you've never explored any of the architectural Brisbane Open Houses, I'd highly recommend putting it on your list for next year. You never quite know what you'll discover - or what you'll find through your camera lens.

Sometimes you really don't know what you'll discover when you simply make the effort to get out there.

A very special night, and one I'll remember. 💚📸