Young artists recognised at Council’s Australia Day celebrations

As part of 2022 Australia Day celebrations, Gladstone Regional Council announced the winners of the Celebrate Australia Primary School Art Competition.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the work of the young artists helped us celebrate ‘who and what makes Australia great'.

“The project launched in 2006 and each year the competition gets tougher,” Councillor Burnett said.

“This year we received 240 entries from across the region, making a total of 4902 artworks collected over 16 years.

“These artworks provide our community with the unique opportunity to connect with the perspective of our region’s younger people and I encourage everyone to view the amazing works.”

When describing her paint, felt pen and collage work Bees and Bottlebrush, Maci Pender wrote: “I chose bees because in Australia we need them for honey and to pollinate the flowers,” she said.

The touring exhibition of entries is now featured on the CQUniversity’s Mezzanine Floor, Leo Zussino Building, Gladstone Marina Campus until the end of February.

For further information contact the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum, phone 4976 6766 or visit gragm.qld.gov.au online.

Section One (Prep - Year 2)

First prize: My Favourite Aussie Foods by Aspen Thetford
Second prize: Sunset Kookaburras by Sophia Lorraway
Third Prize: Playing Soccer at School by Archer Goodluck
Highly commended: My Dream Tree House by Zion Cubacub, The Australian Wild by Makita Forbes, The Lizard by Darcy Costello and Sunsets by Alexis Yeoman.

Section Two (Year 3 - Year 6)

First prize: Bees and Bottlebrush by Maci Pender
Second prize: A Beautiful Dish by Tom Crawshaw
Third prize: Rainbow Kangaroo Herd by Alexandra Lorraway
Highly commended: The Airport at Australia by Maxim Morrissey, My Love of the Ocean by Liam Tangey, Aussie Outback by Jana Gamba and Australian Bushfire by Jaxon Dale.