The didgeridoo-playing Aborigine and the cattle warning sign in North Queensland caught our eye for the Local Culture category. Meanwhile in the Memorable Places category, the rocks at Magnetic Island and the beautiful day at Mount Cook certainly received votes for awards.

However while all these photos and the other entries were quite impressive, we’re pleased to announce the 2012 AUIP Photo Contest: Discovering the World Abroad winners are:

Local Culture

First: Maori Girl by Samantha Florio from Lions Abroad New Zealand/Sydney program (pictured right)

Second: Helping “Green the Rubble” in Christchurch by Spud Davis from Eagles Abroad New Zealand/Sydney program

Third: The “People” of Antarctica by Shelby Ostwald from Antarctica program

Memorable Places

First: Fishy Friends by Callie Setzer from Pirates Abroad North Queensland program (pictured left)

Second: Up Close and Personal by Krysta Frye from Deacons Abroad South Queensland program

Third: Wildlife Habitat Baby Wallaby by Rebecca Battles from SUNY Down Under North Queensland program

People’s Choice Awards

Local Culture: Maori Girl by Samantha Florio from Lions Abroad New Zealand/Sydney program (pictured right)

Memorable Places: Icy Sky by Shelby Ostwald from Antarctica program

Thanks to our supportive sponsors, StudentUniverse, Lowepro, Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments, Eye to Eye Marine Encounters, Hexagon International, South Sea Cruises, Abel Tasman Kayaks, Maori Tours Kaikoura, Lonely Planet and EvoShield, this year’s winners for both categories receive:

First Place: StudentUniverse $300 plane ticket voucher donated by StudentUniverse plus a Lowepro Versapack 200 AW backpack (valued at $80) donated by Lowepro

Second Place: REI $200 gift card donated by Lychee Tree Holiday Apartments and Eye to Eye Marine Encounters in Australia

Third Place: Patagonia torrentshell jacket (valued at $130) donated by Hexagon International in Fiji

And for our People’s Choice Awards, our winners receive:

People’s Choice Award: Local Culture will receive: MacPac jacket (valued at $250) donated by Abel Tasman Kayaks plus an authentic greenstone necklace (valued at $50) donated by Maori Tours Kaikoura in New Zealand

People’s Choice Award: Memorable Places will receive: Kodak Playsport video camera (valued at $100) donated by South Sea Cruises in Fiji plus an UGG Australia $200 gift certificate for luxury sheepskin classic tall boots

All Winners also receive: EvoShield performance shirt and flatbill cap (valued at $50) donated by EvoShield & four Lonely Planet guidebooks (valued at $100) on Antarctica, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand donated by Lonely Planet

Check out all the photo entries on our AUIP Facebook fan page and be sure to enter next year if you’re one of our program alumni.