As the old saying goes, every picture tells a story.
That’s the case for the winner of the inaugural Australian Athletics Mark Dadswell Photography Award, West Australian photographer Imogen McDonald.
McDonald’s picture of Australian sprint stars Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy embracing after Kennedy was disqualified at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth last year was judged the winner, in a very strong group of entries.
The photo was entered under the title Beyond The Finish Line, and perfectly captures a moment between two of Australia’s most talked about athletes.
A delighted McDonald, who was told about her winning the award this week, said it was one quick thinking move that meant she got the picture.
“I think in the heats I was with the pack of photographers thinking, we are all going to get the same photo here,” she said.
“So for the finals I got another position on the track away from everyone else.
“It was a quick decision.
“It turned out it paid off, after the race I didn’t expect Gout to turn my way but he did.
“I think I was in the right place at the right time.”
The Mark Dadswell Photography award honours the legacy of Mark Dadswell, who sadly passed away in June 2024 after a battle with cancer.
He was much loved in the industry, and one of the best sports photographers in Australia and always had a love of athletics.
In his career Dadswell captured three Olympic Games, multiple World Championships and many more major domestic events.
His friend, fellow photographer Hamish Blair, said the Award was a perfect tribute for his long time friend and colleague.
“Mark was one of the most universally respected and admired photographers in the sports industry,” Blair said.
“Humble and hardworking, he never sought attention for himself, in fact, he often actively tried to avoid it.
“His photos provided all the promotion he would never seek for himself. As a talented runner in his youth, athletics was always his passion.
“From photos taken at multiple Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships to portraits of up-and-coming athletes and smaller local events, his work highlighted this passion with a brilliant and unique style, telling many stories big and small.
“This passion and ability, along with his willingness to help other photographers—particularly those just starting out—make the Mark Dadswell Photography Award the most appropriate tribute to an unsung great of the Australian athletics world.”
The award was judged by two members nominated by the Australian Athletics Special Awards Committee, as well as input by News Corp sports photographer Michael Klein, who also worked at many sporting events alongside Dadswell over the years.
The Mark Dadswell Photography Award will be back for 2027, with more details about the nomination process announced later in the year.
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 8/5/2026
