The road to the Bentley Art Prize was well travelled at its 40th show

*The Hartley family look at the photo of their parents Reg and and Phyllis Hartley in 1985. The Hartleys started the Bentley Art Prize and ran it until 2005.*

Susanna Freymark

At the 40th Bentley Art Prize presentations were made at Bentley Community Hall today, Saturday, August 2.

Reg and Phyllis Hartley started the Bentley Art Prize in 1985 and ran it until 2005, when Helen Trustum took over.

Helen made a speech to the crowd gathered including Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow, former Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell and State MP Richie Williamson.

“Who would have thought back in 1985, in 40 years, we’d be here,” she said.

*Former BAP organiser Helen Trustum speaks to the crowd*.

Helen handed over the art prize reins to a committee of residents two years ago, and they have continued the annual tradition of the BAP.

Bentley Art Prize winners 2025

Section 1 Richmond Dairies Australian Landscape Acquisition painting

1st prize Patricia Hatch

2nd prize Curt Edwards

Highly Commended Michael Clifton

Section 2 Richmond Valley Council Open/Contemporary Acquisition

1st prize Joanna Burgler

2nd prize Caroline McKay

HC Greg Lees

Section 3 McDonald’s Pharmacy ‘In and Around Bentley’ Landscape Acquisition

1st prize Nerida Woolley

2nd prize Katherine Carson

HC Meg Egglestone

Section 4 Casino RSM Acquisition Portraiture

1st prize Julia Melvin

2nd prize Michelle Jones

HC Katrina Daley

Section 5 Dr Castagna Acquisition Drawing, Theme ‘Wildlife’

1st prize Katka Adams

2nd prize Katherine Carson

HC Philip Pinch

Section 6 Sculpture

1st prize David Thamm

2nd prize Maggie Parkhill

HC Victoria Lynn

Section 7 Craft

1st prize Tom Goldshmidt

2nd prize Vicki Gaillard

HC Christine Spedding

Section 8 High School years 10-12

1st prize Lacey Pohle

2nd prize Ellaina Sampson

Section 9 High School years 7-9

1st prize Minoma Worthington

2nd prize Ruby Campbell

Section 10 Primary School

1st prize Faith Jackson

4 x $25 Kobi McPherson, Zac Brown, Amity Schaeffer, Shyloh Keaton-Barton

Champion Boy

Ryder Hall

Champion Girl

Genevieve Sebastian

Section 11 Under 5

1st prize Hartley Cooper

2nd prize Maura Elizabeth

HC Liam McPherson

Section 12 Photography

1st prize Raymond Kirkland

2nd prize Hugh Nicholson

Section 13 Student Photography

1st prize Kaitlin Jackson

2nd prize Elwood Nicholson-Moss

Under 21 Hartley Shield

Tahlo Nicholson-Moss

The hall is open Sunday, August 3 at 9am-2pm. $5 for adults. There will be live music, market stalls and of course, lots of art.

Some of the winners and placegetters and visitors are in the photos below.