Rural Queensland school kids to become published artists

Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Curtis Pitt has thanked the hundreds of rural student artists who competed to be in this year’s Farm Safety Calendar.

Mr Pitt said it was tough to choose just 12 winners given the calibre of entries.

“Some students were certainly liberal with their use of red crayons in depicting the need for safety with farm machinery, but across the board I was very impressed by the care and enthusiasm students showed,” Mr Pitt said.

"People working on rural properties experience one of the highest injury work rates in Queensland, which is why we want kids thinking how to recognise hazards and avoid getting hurt from an early age.

"More than 300 primary school children submitted entries for the competition, with 12 lucky artists to be published in a 2016 calendar that will be distributed later this year.

”It’s encouraging to know these kids are aware of the risks on their parents’ farms.

“I’d like to thank all the parents and teachers who helped with entries and hope the calendar reminds them to work safely and go home to their loved ones every day.”

Winning students received a $250 voucher and their schools received $500.

The twelve winners were:

• Using quad bikes safely
   o Quinn, Grade 6, Mount Larcom State School
   o Brendan, Grade 2, Allenstown State School
• Preventing drowning in farm dams and water bodies
   o Kyle, Grade 4, Eungella State School
   o Jade, Grade 4, Rockhampton Girls Grammar School
• Being sun safe
   o Katherine, Grade 2, Woongoolba State School
   o Teagan, Grade 5, Boonah State School
• Riding horses
   o Haylee, Prep, St George State School
   o Sophie, Grade 5, Mount Larcom State School
• Storing and using chemicals
   o Montana, Grade 3, Woongoolba State School
   o Killian-James, Grade 1, Allenstown State School
• Using farm machinery or tractors safely
   o Charlize, Grade 3, Jimbour State School
   o Tyler, Grade 5, Boonah State School

For more information about the School farm safety calendar competition visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

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