La Trobe’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence ‘Picturing Respect’ photography competition has now closed.
Congratulations to all for your thoughtful and moving contributions! The competition, which explored what ‘respect is’, has produced diverse and powerful visuals of respect. Thank you to everyone who engaged with the competition.
Want to learn more? Here’s how to get involved in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign running until 10 December.
Competition winners
After careful consideration and review against the ‘Respect Is’ competition criteria, we are excited to announce the following competition winners:
First Place $250 voucher: Mayank Arora
Description:
Respect isn’t about what someone looks like, the colour of their skin, or the assumptions the world tries to place on them. Respect begins when we choose to see a person without labels.
At this candlelit concert of SOLI at fed square, no one was thinking about differences. We were just listening. The music created a space where everyone was equal. No judgement. No stereotypes. Just voices, rhythm and connection.
What this moment taught me is simple: Respect is when we stop seeing “other” and start seeing human.
Second Place $100 voucher: Sathira Rehan Karuna
Description:
Harmony in Diversity
This photograph captures the Buddha and Ganesha side by side symbols of peace and wisdom from two great traditions. It reflects how respect is about harmony in diversity, where different beliefs can coexist beautifully. True respect means valuing every culture and faith equally, seeing unity in difference.
Third Place $50 voucher: Khanh Vi Nguyen
Description:
At the Gold Coast Symposium, our voices rise,
Beyond consultation, we realise –
Respect means partnership, side by side,
Co-creating change with shared pride.
Fourth Place $50 voucher: Huyen Linh Nguyen
Description:
Respect is Harmony on the road
In Australia, respect is vividly reflected in the way people behave on the road. Drivers patiently wait at red lights, pedestrians cross safely, and cyclists share lanes with care. This harmony is not enforced by fear of punishment but driven by mutual understanding and respect for one another’s safety. Such behaviour demonstrates that respect is not just a moral value but a shared responsibility that keeps our communities peaceful and connected.
We also received some fantastic staff photo entries which will be featured soon in upcoming La Trobe communications.
This brings the 2025 ‘Picturing Respect’ photography competition to a close! Thank you for your participation, we look forward to next year’s 16 Days Campaign and the creative photo contributions it will inspire!
Student Support at La Trobe
- Connect with La Trobe’s Wellbeing Services, including Student Wellbeing Connect.
- You can access La Trobe’s Safer Community Service, a free and confidential support service for all La Trobe students and staff.
- If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour of any kind, online, or in-person, please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service. You can use the website to contact Safer Community anonymously.
- In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on University phones) and if on campus also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones).
- Out-of-hours mental health and wellbeing support can be accessed anytime 24 hours a day by calling 1300 146 307 or texting 0488 884 100.
External supports
- 1800 RESPECT: National sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732
- ESafety Commissioner: A national service to report and respond to online abuse or illegal and restricted content.
- CASACV: Counselling, advocacy and support for anyone who has experienced sexual assault, (past or recent). Located in Bendigo, a counsellor also visits Bendigo campus fortnightly for student appointments and can be accessed via Wellbeing Services or CASACV.
- NCASA: 03 9496 2369, Counselling, advocacy and support for anyone who has experienced sexual assault, (past or recent). Located in Heidelberg, a counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly for student appointments and can be accessed through Wellbeing Services or NCASA.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line: Provide crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced Sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292.
- Djirra: Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past. Tel: 1800 105 3030
- 13Yarn: Thirteen YARN is the first national crisis line for mob needing support, offering 24/7 confidential yarning with Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters. It provides a culturally safe, non-judgemental space to talk about worries, needs, or concerns. Tel: 13 92 76
- Daisy app: Connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area.
- QLife: Counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527
- Men’s Line: Free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78