The Tom Oliver Award focused on assisting fellow members with the development of their photography. It was awarded biennially with the winner receiving a financial prize from a bequest made by Tom’s family which has now been fully utilised. In 2025 the committee decided to remember Tom Oliver by adding his name to our most prestigious annual award, which is now the Tom Oliver Birdlife Photography Member of the Year Award.

The worthy winner of this award for 2025 is Graham Gall. During 2025 Graham spent considerable time in the field submitting 166 non-competition images and entering all four internal competitions.

Graham’s major contribution during the year was chairing the organising committee for our biennial conference in Canberra in March 2026. This work overlapped into both 2024 and 2026 as it was almost a two-year process. This work included developing a budget, selecting a venue, securing sponsors and trade tables, organising an improved conference registration process, advertising the conference, and selecting a great range of speakers including, Rachel Bigsby, the keynote speaker from England who was excellent. Graham referred all key decisions to the BLP committee for endorsement.

As a result of the efforts of Graham and his team the Canberra Conference was a major success with the highest number of participants, at 287, exceeding past conferences. Participants went away inspired and with new knowledge.