Soldier awarded for breathtaking images
For the second year running, a local Townsville soldier has won the Australian Army’s annual Forces Command (FORCOMD) Photographic Competition.
CAPTION: Bombardier Guy Sadler took the top shot in Army’s Forces Command Photographic Competition this year. Story by Major Megan McDermott.
Twenty-nine-year-old Bombardier Guy Sadler, from 3rd Brigade’s 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), stood out in a pool of talented amateur photographers with his photo of a combat engineer searching for explosives.
He was awarded the title of Overall Best Image and received a professional Canon camera kit valued at $12,000.
“I am overwhelmed by the result of the competition and feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity, support and guidance I have received,” Bombardier Sadler said.
“Picking up a camera has allowed me to do something I am passionate about while experiencing all the things people join the Army for, including my job as an artillery command systems operator.”
FORCOMD’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Malcolm Wells, selected the winning image from 18 finalists for its storytelling, creativity and technical expertise.
“It is a great picture capturing a young Australian soldier entirely focused on a dangerous and demanding job, operating at the edge of their capacity and demonstrating first-class combat behaviour,” Brigadier Wells said.
“2022 has been a challenging year with a lot to be proud of – from support to the national flooding crisis and various modernisation and transformation efforts, to rebuilding our combat readiness.
“Sharing our stories and achievements with the Australian public is an extremely important part of what we do. It was a great pleasure judging the finalists and seeing the ability and diverse talent that exists among our soldiers, for whom photography is not their core role.”
The 2022 competition ran from February to November and invited amateur photographers to submit a photograph each month to help tell Army’s story.
Bombardier Sadler demonstrated an exceptional eye for capturing the moment, with a number of his monthly submissions qualifying as finalist entries.
His talent has been acknowledged with a corps transfer from RAA to the Australian Army Public Relations Service to train as an imagery specialist at HMAS Kuttabul.
The transfer will see Bombardier Sadler move from Townsville, where he has been posted since he transferred from the British Army’s 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery in 2019.
Bombardier Sadler has since supported many brigade activities in Australia and overseas, capturing stunning photos of his regiment and other service personnel in action.
“There is something rewarding about sending photos to my mates that show them carrying out their jobs in extraordinary circumstances, so they can share them with friends and family in the future,” he said.
CAPTION:Bombardier Guy Sadler’s winning image of an Australian Army soldier from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment.
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