A new statewide art prize has been launched as a tribute to the memory of passionate painter John D. Bowe, and in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS).
The Prize – $50,000 – will be awarded to the artwork that most powerfully expresses the character, resilience, and connection of Queensland, its spirit and its people*.
Queensland artists of all levels, skills and backgrounds are invited to reflect on what it means to live and belong in this state, and to contribute to a broader sense of connection, understanding, and community through their own unique creative expression.
The John D. Bowe Art Prize has been established by Anne Carne as a lasting legacy for her son and continues a deeply personal connection between Anne's family and the Flying Doctor.
Anne chose to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service in memory of her two sons, Rod and John - a decision that brings together two passions that defined her boys' lives.
Rod was a pilot. Though he never flew for the RFDS, after losing Rod, Anne saw the powerful connection between aviation and healthcare as a meaningful way to honour his memory and his love of flight. Her enduring support has since been recognised with an RFDS aircraft bearing the family's name: the Roderick J. Bowe, John D. Bowe and Anne J. Carne.
John was a passionate artist. The John D. Bowe Art Prize extends Anne's tribute through the medium John loved most - bringing both of her sons into a single, enduring legacy that continues to give back to those who live, work and play across every corner of Queensland – the place Anne and her sons called home.
Anne Carne said the prize was an act of love, and a way of turning grief into something generous and lasting that honoured her son's passion for art, life and connection.
"This prize began with John, but it isn't only about him – this is an invitation to artists everywhere in Queensland to share in the landscapes, the communities, the stories, the resilience, the everyday moments and the shared experiences that bind people across this great state," Anne Carne said.
"The RFDS became part of our family's story in a way I could never have anticipated, and their care for Queenslanders has stayed with me ever since."
“Honouring John through this prize, in support of the Flying Doctor, feels like the most authentic show of our family’s appreciation. It’s a way of carrying on the memory of both of my boys into something that gives back to the state they loved," she said.
The judging panel includes Today Show Correspondent Anthea Crothers, with additional names to be announced. The panel will assess works on their ability to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and contribute to a deeper sense of shared Queensland experience.
Heather Stott, General Manager, Major Relationships, RFDS (Queensland Section), said the organisation was honoured to be the beneficiary of Anne's extraordinary gesture.
"Anne's support of the Flying Doctor is something we treasure, and the John D. Bowe Art Prize is a beautiful continuation of that relationship - and through it art is now saving lives," Ms Stott said.
"The Prize isn't ours – it belongs to Anne, to John's memory, and to the artists who take part – but we're honoured that it has been built in support of the work we do across regional and remote Queensland.
“Anne is providing a remarkable gift that not only celebrates her son's legacy but also helps the Flying Doctor support Queenslanders in their hardest moments," she said.
The RFDS in Queensland provides more than 200 occasions of care every day – improving health access and outcomes for regional, rural and remote communities across the state. Its emergency retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has expanded to include a broad range of essential primary and preventative healthcare services, including telehealth, mental health, oral health, and health promotion.
In a deliberate design choice, all entries for the John D. Bowe Art Prize will be submitted and assessed digitally - ensuring that every artist, from the heart of Brisbane to the farthest corner of the State, can take part on equal footing.
Submissions opened on Monday, 25 May 2026 and close at 11:59pm AEST on Sunday, 12 July 2026. A shortlist of finalist entries will be displayed at 175 Eagle St, Brisbane CBD, from Monday, 27 July to Friday 31 July.
For more information on the Prize, judging and general terms, please visit https://johndboweartprize.com.au/
