It may look like it’s part of the wave of AI-altered images but this shot is all real, with Brazil's Gabriel Medina caught in real time celebrating acatching a large wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round 3, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti in July. Picture: Jerome Broilett/AFP

Who could forget this moment? Donald Trump surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally after a bullet skimmed his ear in July, before he was once again voted back in as President. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold in Melbourne practices saving goals while staying at Crown Towers. Picture: David Caird

Journalist Evan Gershkovich (center) embraces his mother, Ella Milman, upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Russia released Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, along with imprisoned Kremlin critics in the largest prisoner exchange with the West in decades. The exchange secured a sought-after assassin in return, a move closely tied to President Vladimir Putin’s priorities. Picture: Ken Cedeno/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Moo Deng splashes in a bucket of water in her enclosure at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo on November 11, 2024 in Pattaya, Thailand. Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo born on July 10, 2024, at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, became a global viral sensation, drawing thousands of visitors daily and boosting the local economy. Her popularity led the zoo to sell Moo Deng-themed merchandise, partner with Thai brands, and limit visitor time to just 5 minutes to reduce wait times. "Moo Deng," meaning "bouncy pork" in Thai, reflects the baby hippo's feisty nature. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

How could a woman simply vanish during her morning run? It’s a question many still ask as mum Samantha Murphy’s body is yet to be found. Ballarat community members held a vigil back in March as 22 year old local Patrick Stephenson was charged with her murder. Picture: Mark Stewart

We started the year with the Australian Open Tennis, with Novak Djokovic in action against Taylor Fritz during their quarterfinal on Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Mark Stewart

It wouldn’t be a year in pictures without some baby animals, and here’s baby wombats Ebony and Eddie at Lockys Legacy. Baby Picture: Mark Stewart

The nations’ heart collectively broke when we learnt of the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping mall attack that left six people dead. Picture: David GRAY / AFP

Tane Poi-Emch, five, at the floral tribute outside Westfield Bondi Junction one week after the devastating stabbing attack last Saturday. Photo: Tim Hunter.

Travis Kelce (#87) of the Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift share a victorious PDA after taking down the San Francisco 49ers in an electrifying Super Bowl LVIII overtime showdown at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.

The middle of the year, Swift mania swept the globe as Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour toured the world. At Wembley Stadium in London n June she was met on stage by her boyfriend Travis. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

What a landslide win it was for 2024’s AFL Grand Final win? Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions at the MCG. Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko of the Lions with the cup after todays win. Pic: Michael Klein

AFL Grand Final between the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans at the MCG. Brisbane Lions player Will Ashcroft is congratulated by teammates after being awarded the Norm Smith Medal. Picture: David Caird

This image, provided by Jiji Press, captures a Japan Airlines plane engulfed in flames on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on January 2, 2024. Reports suggest the incident occurred after the plane collided with a coast guard aircraft. Picture: JIJI PRESS/AFP. Part of AFP’s Pictures of the Year 2024.

Love her performance or hate it, Raygun became the name on everyone’s lips after her unique take on breakdancing at Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

American sprinter Noah Lyles appeared to be elevated above the ground as German Owen Ansah got into the zone before the start of their heat. Picture: Michael Klein

Sahil Habibi brother of missing teen Mehdi Habibi sits on the Granit Island sign after his brother went missing in waters off Granite Island. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Aussie Olympic silver medal winning athlete Jessica Hull racing thoroughbred trick horse Ty at Caulfield Guineas race day. Picture: David Caird

BESTottenham Hotspur FC v Newcastle United FC at the MCG oulled in all the Aussie soccer stars. Picture: Mark Stewart

At Moonee Valley’s Breakfast with the Best track gallops, trainer Chris Waller (left) and stable connections worked to stop Via Sistina as she ran riderless after unseating champion jockey James McDonald during the session. Picture: Michael Klein.

On Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse, November 5, 2024, Liz Hurley and her son Damian watched the thrilling final race from the Committee Room. The horse Warnie—named after the legendary Shane Warne—crossed the finish line in third place, capping off an exciting day of racing. Picture: David Caird.

Anti-war activists protest the Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Police mounted unit charges protesters at South Wharf. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight during LIVE On Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix

TV and radio host Alan Jones arrives with detectives at Day Street Police Station after his arrest in Sydney in November. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The Special Operations Group (SOG) conducts a high-level training exercise on the Spirit of Tasmania. SOG personal fast rope onto the ship. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

BEST PICS 2024 MELB Rodney the Rooster gets a ride on Alice the Camel at Mattys Sanctuary in Sedgwick. Picture: Mark Stewart

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has unveiled its latest public artwork by Yayoi Kusama, Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees—a mesmerising installation featuring over 60 plane trees along St Kilda Road wrapped in vibrant pink-and-white polka dots. Four-year-old Ava Bandara gets an early glimpse of the whimsical exhibition. Picture: Mark Stewart.

B Seeing Eye Dog Association has teamed up with Jetstar to provide the next generation of service dogs with training on-board their aircraft. 12 week old SEDA puppies Ulysses, Uke and Ultimo get their wings. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mark Pelley, known as The Snake Hunter, carefully handles a tiger snake discovered in a swimming pool. With hot weather prompting snakes to seek cooler spots, encounters like this are not uncommon. Tiger snakes are highly venomous, so caution is essential. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

ight-year-old Issac Lee’s brain tumour was successfully removed at Children’s Hospital Randwick, with critical assistance from Keng-Yin Lai, a UNSW Postdoctoral Fellow, who examined a 3D printout of Issac’s brain to help plan the surgery. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.