Inspired by the heroic work of many Rural Fire Service volunteers during the horrific fires late last year and earlier in the new year, the nine-panel powerful work 'Breathe' depicts nine different gas masks, mostly from World War I.

She said she began thinking about breathing masks and respirators over the summer period when the bushfires were at their worst.

"We spent New Year's Eve dressed in masks and goggles to protect our eyes and lungs from smoke as we stayed to defend our home from potential ember attack," she said.

"It was a scary time for everyone, but particularly it reminded me what an extraordinary job the RFS were doing day after day to keep us all safe.

"We owe them a great debt of thanks for their bravery.

"Their courage and comradeship reminded me of the Anzac spirit."

The competition, which carries a $20,000 acquisitive prize, is funded by the Gallipoli Memorial Club.

The club has acquired all 15 of the winning artworks over the years, which Ms Mackay hopes one day might all be shown together as an exhibition in its own right.

"To win the award was a real thrill," she said.

"It's a great honour."

Gallipoli Club president and one of the judges of the prize, John Robertson said Alison's work couldn't be more poignant at this time.

"With the world now battling corona virus, the painting has a certain prescience although it was painted before the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Australia," he said.

"The title 'Breathe' is perhaps a timely reminder that, in these difficult days, we all need to take a moment to breathe."

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Alison has been a finalist in this major national prize for the last seven years with a range of works reflecting the Gallipoli Club's creed of 'loyalty, courage, respect, comradeship and love of country'.

"I've explored different and often quite personal themes for this prize over the last seven years," she said.

"There's always a diverse and interesting range of paintings in the exhibition, so I'm really thrilled to have won this year.

"This year I was inspired by the fires which sparked an interest in gas marks and they really are a fascinating subject."

Her work has focused mainly on still life painting using oils over the last 15 years.

She has exhibited throughout Australia, including seven solo shows and her work is held in private and public collections including Bundanon Collection and National Gallery of Australia, Canberra (as part of the Animalia print collection).

Alison has been selected as a finalist in numerous art prizes including The Archibald, The Portia Geach Memorial Award for female portraiture, the National Still Life Award and NSW Parliament's Plein Air Painting Prize.

She works mainly from her studio at St Georges Basin where she paints directly from life, however she also spends time working 'en plein air' in the landscape around her home and further afield.

Alison is also the partner of former ABC News presenter Richard Morecroft, who is also doing his bit for the art world during the COVID-19 emergency.

With so many artists unable to have exhibitions due to coronavirus, Mr Morecroft has produced a Facebook page, Exhibition - with Richard Morecroft, where he interviews various artists about their works.

The judges highly commended 'The Telegram' by Lori Pensini of Boyup Brook, WA for her painting of a woman receiving devastating news via telegram and 'Major Smith's Petrichor' by Diedre Bean of Newcastle, for her watercolour of L1A1 gas-operated semi-automatic rifle, the standard issue personal weapon for Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Now in its 15th year, The Gallipoli Art Prize invites artists to respond to the broad themes of loyalty, respect, love of country, courage and comradeship as expressed in the Gallipoli Club's creed.

The works do not need to depict warfare, nor do they need to relate, directly or indirectly, to any conflict.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Gallipoli Art Prize will not be hung in a public exhibition at this time, rather people are invited to experience the works online at www.gallipoliartprize.org.au.

In an innovative development for the Gallipoli Memorial Club, a virtual tour of the exhibition using 360 degree photography will also be available via the website from Tuesday, April 21.

The Gallipoli Memorial Club is hopeful that a physical exhibition of this year's prize can take place in Sydney later in the year.