Kids get 'wild' with eco-art sculptures

The Wet Tropics Management Authority has joined students, parents and teachers at the Cairns Botanic Gardens Centre to celebrate their contributions to the eighth annual 'Keep it Wild' eco-art competition.

More than 50 entries from 10 schools across the region entered the competition, crafting sculptures inspired by the World Heritage Area’s outstanding natural beauty and magnificent sweeping landscapes.  

See amazing photos of 'Keep it Wild' sculptures on our Facebook page

The competition, now in its eighth year, reaches out to primary school children to create fun and inventive original works inspired with an environmental message.

This year's theme - 'Living Lightly' - set entrants the task of building a sculpture from rubbish that reflects sustainable living in the tropics.

The Authority's Executive Director Scott Buchanan says the quality of work and level of creativity was outstanding.

"This competition is all about inspiring students to think about this beautiful landscape we live in," Mr Buchanan says. "We want to encourage young people to think about the impact of waste on our region."

 

Works contributed by students between grades prep-to-three and grades four-to-six were split into separate judging categories with 11 finalists named.

Isabella State School’s beautiful ‘Four-sided butterfly’ beat out Redlynch State College's 'giant jellyfish' in the junior category while Atherton State School's grade four and Woree State School’s grade five students were named co-winners in the older category.

All artwork will be on display at the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre through the school holidays finishing Sunday, 2 July. Selected artworks will be showcased for an extended period.

Winning class entries receive a variety of prizes courtesy of our sponsors Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns Harbour and Sunset Cruises, Cairns Regional Council and the Authority.

All finalists received a copy of Julia Cooper’s new book 'Paddy O'Melon, the Irish Kangaroo' by Julia Cooper courtesy of Wet Tropics Management Authority.  

WINNERS

Prep to year 3 category
Isabella State School – 'Four-sided butterfly'
Isabella State School receives a class trip for 30 people courtesy of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Year 4 to year 6 category
Atherton State School (Class 4A) – 'Two rivers'
Woree State School (Class 5AP) – 'Leave only footprints'
Both schools receive a class cruise courtesy of Cairns Harbour and Sunset Cruises.

RUNNERS UP

Prep to year 3 category
Redlynch State College (Class 2b/4D) – 'Giant jellyfish'

Year 4 to year 6 (joint) category
Isabella State School (Class 4/5C) – 'Eco Eddie'
Isabella State School (Class 6B) – 'Trinity the Turtle'

All students receive a free tour of Cairns Regional Council’s ReDiscovery Centre.

 

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Prep to year 3 category
Woree State School (Class 3AH) 'Wallabies on the grass'
Silkwood State School (Year 1-3) 'Turtle nesting area'

Winning entrants receive a family pass courtesy of Cairns Harbour and Sunset Cruises.

Year 4 to year 6 category
Gordonvale Brownie and Girl Guide Unit – 'Tent with instrument buildings'
Woree State School (Class 5BM) – 'Recycle bins'

Winning entrants receive a family pass courtesy of Cairns Harbour and Sunset Cruises.

FINALIST

Prep to year 3 category
Charlie Hard, Thomas King and James Pereira – 'Copper coloured marlin'

Students receive a copy of 'Paddy O'Melon, the Irish Kangaroo' by Julia Cooper, courtesy of Wet Tropics Management Authority.

 

Kids get 'wild' with eco-art sculptures

Published: 28th Jun 2017

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