Paula's top shot

But with the development of the digital camera and improved internet access, Paula’s by-line is now recognised on various mastheads across Australia, including Queensland Country Life and the RM Williams Outback magazine.

Sadly it was the death of her first husband, Daryl, who suffered from motor neurone disease, in 1992 that spurred Paula on to take on a Bachelor of Arts, Journalism.

Despite being a young single mother, the then Brisbane-based Paula graduated while working in the university’s media and development office.

Soon after graduation, Paula’s life took a sudden turn when she was introduced to Peter, a cattle producer from the north.

The pair married and Paula and son Matthew moved to settle down to life on Ulcanbah Station.

In 1998, Paula and Peter’s daughter, Ali, was born and home schooling became a priority, with Paula teaching both her children via the School of Distance Education.

Gradually Paula took on some freelance work and over time, she grew her passion into a full-time business.

She pitched her ideas to a few editors, but knew she also had to be a good photographer in order to get her material published.

“The worst aspect of living in a remote area is not having access to face-to-face training,” Paula said.

“I followed other photographers’ work, did a lot of reading, and studied a lot of photographs.

“I guess because I am in the bush, I was often contacted for rural writing and photography,” she said.

“But I also enjoy travel and feature writing and now the kids are away, I can leave home more often.

Her son Matthew is now married and works as a criminal defence lawyer, while Ali is at boarding school in Brisbane.

“After growing up in Tasmania and later living in Brisbane, moving to a remote area in central Queensland was a massive change, but one I embraced,” Paula said.

“I still see life in the Australian bush through fresh eyes. The extraordinary people, the extreme weather, the challenges, the beauty and the regular long-distance driving.

“Often travelling through rural and remote areas, there is never a shortage of a great story or photo opportunity.

“When I first started freelancing some 18 years ago it was with a computer but we still needed film in the camera.

“I would print my story off and fax it through to the media organisation, and drop my film at the chemist in Moranbah and pick up the photos or slides a week later, sort them and finally post them, and it could take three weeks to submit a story.

“These days, with internet and digital camera, I can do it all instantly and I don’t feel as nearly isolated any more.

“The internet speed is good but the drawback is the capped usage.”

Earlier this year Paula’s trained eye for a good photograph paid big dividends.

She entered an image of Michael Pini, Lancewood Station, Nebo, taken at the Mt Coolon campdraft, in the Queensland Rural Media excellence in rural photography awards.

Overall, this image claimed three awards, including the 2014 Media Award for excellence in rural photography Queensland Rural Press Club, followed by the Australian Star Prize for rural photography – people category, and International Federation of Agricultural Journalists – World Star Prize.

Paula said she was “chuffed” that her photograph “could go that distance”.

“My writing and photography is all consuming, and I love it to bits,” she said.

“And while I enjoy writing for publications such as Queensland Country Life, because it’s the world I live in, I also love taking my rural stories to the mainstream media whenever I can.”