Calendar competition draws on creativity of farm kids

A new farming calendar will be designed by kids living in regional Queensland to remind farmers of the need for safety on rural properties.

Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Curtis Pitt has asked primary school students to submit their designs to promote farm safety awareness in homes and businesses across the state.

“This calendar is a fun way to tackle a serious but also very practical approach,” Mr Pitt said.

“Educating kids is one of the best ways of educating adults because they’ll be better able to identify risks around the home and on agricultural properties.

‘Additionally, the calendars can be displayed in homes as a reminder to Queenslanders of all ages to work and play safely on agricultural properties.

‘Twelve winners will be published in a 2016 calendar which will be distributed free to rural communities in November this year.’

‘Winning students will get a $250 store voucher and their school will receive $500.”

Entries should illustrate one of these six farm safety messages:

• Using quad bikes safely
• Preventing drowning in farm dams and water bodies
• Being sun safe
• Riding horses
• Storing and using chemicals
• Using farm machinery or tractors safely.

Entries need to be submitted before July 31 using a downloadable template from the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website and have their parent or teacher’s consent to enter.

The final published calendar will be available in late 2015.

For more information about the competition call 1300 362 128 or visit worksafe.qld.gov.au

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