Portrait of legendary Townsville volunteer Loma Thompson wins art prize

After Loma Thompson hitchhiked to Townsville on her honeymoon with husband Fred, the North Queensland town was never the same again.

Born in Lismore, Victoria in 1922, Ms Thompson was, and still is, a passionate activist for social justice, a fiery advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and a leader within the women's movement.

Now, at 94 years of age, she has been recognised as the face of the Townsville 150th Anniversary Portrait Painting Award.

Ms Thompson's daughter-in-law Dr Barbara Cheshire won the $10,000 prize with her painting of Ms Thompson, titled I Remember.

Dr Cheshire said her oil artwork was inspired by her desire to encode Ms Thompson's experience as a community legend.

"I'm trying to communicate the love we feel for her, her energy and her pose, to remember all the things she'd done for the community — so, it's a historical piece," Dr Cheshire said.