Queensland students colour their way into Farm Safety Calendar

• 12 students selected as winners of 2024 Farm safety calendar competition
• 1,400 entries received from right across Queensland
• Competition highlights key safety messages on farms and rural properties.

Click here to view the 2024 Farm safety calendar winners’ artwork and a photo of August winner Ataliah Cooke.

Over 1,400 budding young Queensland artists have illustrated their take on farm safety by entering Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s 2024 Farm safety calendar competition.

Twelve winners from across the state were selected to feature in next year’s calendar, with students from prep to year six recognised for their exceptional efforts drawing attention to safety on the farm.

Around 30,000 calendars were distributed state-wide in 2023, and since the competition’s commencement in 2015, well over 11,000 submissions have been received.

Each of the twelve winners won $250 for themselves, and $500 for their respective schools.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace:

“This competition is always a highlight on the calendar.

“Not only does it educate young Queenslanders on the very real safety risks associated with farming, but it provides a way to spread the message of being safe at work right across the state.

“Whether the calendar is placed on the family fridge, in the classroom, or proudly in the offices of families and loved ones, the time and thought dedicated to these works of art will have an enduring effect by making us consider the dangers of farming and ways to work more safely.”

Quote attributable to Cooloola Christian College (Gympie) year three student Ataliah Cooke (August winner):

“I’m going give half of the prize to my sister and I’d like to buy a new bike because mine’s broken.

“I really want the school’s prize to go towards a see-saw or a swing to go in our new playground. That’d be so cool!”

Quotes attributable to Jacinta Cooke (Ataliah’s mother):

“The Farm safety calendar is really important to us as a family. We are a farming family in a farming community and know first-hand the importance of safety on the farm.

“Sadly, we know the tragedy that ensues when farm safety isn’t followed - I lost my uncle to a quad accident on his farm, and earlier this year my father-in-law ended up being flown to hospital with significant spinal and head injuries after he had a tractor accident, which could have ended much differently.

“Unfortunately, for my colleague, her uncle wasn’t so fortunate when he passed away from a tractor accident this year; so the messages are very real for us.

“The calendar is an opportunity for us as family every year, to look through the wonderful pictures and have important conversations around the farm safety messages they show.

“So, whilst winning is wonderful, for us the value is in the shared conversations and being reminded each month as we turn the calendar pages over.”

Quotes attributable to Cooloola Christian College Principal Mr Ross Waltisbuhl:

“The whole CCC community is very proud of Ataliah’s achievement.

“As a regional area, farm safety is important to our community and we are thrilled that the calendar that will be distributed will feature Ataliah’s artwork.”

Quotes attributable to Sunnybank Hills State School grade five student Leo Park (May winner):

“I am hoping that people will look at my illustration and be inspired.”

Quotes attributable to Sunnybank Hills State School principal Geoff Mill:

“Leo is an exemplary student, and we are very proud of his achievement.”

Quotes attributable to Mudgeeraba Creek State School grade five student Rui Murakami (November winner):

“It’s so exciting to see my work published in the calendar.”

Quotes attributable to Mudgeeraba Creek State School deputy principal Lesley Dekker:

“We are so proud of Rui. We look forward to using the prize money to provide more playground equipment for students to use at play time.”

Further information:

You can order your free 2024 Farm safety calendar here.

More information about the Farm safety calendar competition is available here. 

2024 Farm safety calendar competition winners

ENDS

Media contact – Daniel Webb – 0438 401 078