Outstanding primary school artwork featured in 2021 Farm Safety calendar   

The creative works of a dozen Queensland primary school students from Prep through to Grade 6 will appear in the 2021 Farm Safety calendar following a competition run by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Impressed by the quality of the winning entries, Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the drawing competition was again a huge success.

“Despite COVID-19 restrictions, more than 1500 youngsters entered, and the 12 winners have produced fantastic artwork which also delivers vital farm safety messages,” Ms Grace said.

“I applaud everyone who lodged an entry.

“It is truly inspiring to see so many heartfelt safety messages and colourful drawings by talented young Queenslanders from all over the state.

“My thanks also go to the teachers and mums and dads who helped our budding safety ambassadors – you are all winners!

“Unfortunately, there are only 12 months in a year, so the judges had their work cut out for them when choosing the winners whose masterpieces go into the 2021 calendar.

“From the cute water safety piece by Woongoolba State School preppy Eevee Fazekas to the pertinent chemical safety contribution by Claire Murphy, a sixth grader at the Longreach School of Distance Education, there’s been plenty of thought and effort gone into the winning entries.”

Run every year, the Farm Safety calendar competition highlights important messages about working and playing safely on the land.

The winners receive a $250 gift voucher for themselves and $500 for their school.

“The calendars are displayed on walls and fridges in homes and workplaces all year round, reminding us about safety in and around the farm,” Ms Grace said.

“Tragically, in the first six months of 2019, there were 34 farm deaths reported in the Australian media—four more than in the same period in 2018.

“The research compiled by Sydney University’s Aghealth Australia also showed quad bikes were the leading cause of death at around one in every five.

“Even more tragic, six of the 34 deaths were children, with farm vehicles involved in four of those. There were another 67 non-fatal injuries on farms, nine involving children.

“That’s why we’re passionate about getting these homegrown safety messages out there, especially to young children and their parents.”

The free calendar, which features safety messages and illustrations about fire, the sun, water, electricity, animals, chemicals, and machinery, will be distributed throughout Queensland from next month.

More on the Farm safety calendar competition is available at  https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/farm-safety-calendar-competition/home

Media contact: Brock Taylor – 0427 018 178