Brisbane amateur photographer Sarah Ryan brought aboriginal traditions to the fore in an extraordinary photograph which won her a Central Queensland photographic competition this month.

Ms Ryan’s “Spinning Hair for a Burial” took out first place in an annual photographic competition – “A Snapshot of Global Diversity - Rural Life” – held in conjunction with the Central Queensland Multicultural Fair and Central Queensland University Open Day.

A spokesperson from CQU said Ms Ryan’s photograph focused on an aboriginal man spinning hair for a traditional burial.

“The photo captured the theme of this year’s competition and the Multicultural Fair – life in the outback. It was also timely as the University celebrated its Reconciliation Statement at the Multicultural Fair with the original owners of the land the Darumbal people.” The Statement acknowledges a commitment to a just and meaningful partnership of reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people throughout the CQU campuses and communities it serves.

“The photograph was also awarded for its creativity and its ability to tell a story.

Ms Ryan will be awarded with quality digital camera equipment for her efforts.

The competition was coordinated by Central Queensland University and ABC Radio Capricornia for the Central Queensland Multicultural Fair.