Teaching Queensland’s consumers of tomorrow their rights today is the aim of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) annual Buy Smart Competition launched today for students in Years 4 to 12.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath and Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard encouraged students statewide to participate in the competition, which was officially launched at Boondall State School today.
“This competition is designed to be a creative and fun way for students to learn about consumer and marketplace issues,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“In many ways, children are already consumers; they view advertising on the internet and TV, spend money either in a shop or online, and save pocket money for purchases.
“It is important that they learn their rights before they begin making more expensive purchases that require more research, such as buying a car or entering into an internet contract.
“Entrants can participate as individuals or in groups. They need to research a consumer or financial issue and create a project with an educational message for a target audience.
“Previous entries have included board games, dioramas, music videos, comic books, and apps.”
Mrs D’Ath said the OFT had developed resources for schools that aligned with the Australian curriculum so competition entries could be used as assessment pieces for various subject areas.
“Entrants and their school or community organisation can win a share of over $15,000 in prize money,” she said.
Mrs Linard said while the prize was an exciting drawcard, the chance to teach others through a creative project was an important reward, too.
“It was great to launch the competition at Boondall State School, where two students won third prizes in the 2018 competition for Years 4 to 6,” she said.
“Students Skye and McKenzie received a prize for their book called ‘Amelia Nearly Got Scammed’. It had wonderful illustrations and told an important story about their main character Amelia learning from her big sister Amy about how to avoid being ‘scammed’. Amelia also learned that she can check with her Mum or another trusted adult when things don’t seem quite right. It’s a great lesson for all students, no matter their age.
“I hope even more young people across the state participate in this year’s Buy Smart competition.”
Interested schools, teachers and youth-focussed organisations can book a free presentation on consumer issues for students, find competition resources and details on how to enter at www.qld.gov.au/buysmartcomp.
There are three student categories in the Buy Smart Competition – Years 4 to 6, Years 7 to 9 and Years 10 to 12.
Cash prizes are offered in each category:
- First – $500 for the entrant/group and $2000 for the school or organisation
- Second – $250 for the entrant/group and $1000 for the school or organisation
- Third – $150 for the entrant/group and $500 for the school or organisation
- Highly commended student prizes – up to ten $50 prizes for entrants/groups across all categories
In addition to student prizes, the OFT also awards a Buy Smart School Champion prize of $1500 to recognise a school or club’s outstanding work in participating in the Competition and supporting the importance of teaching consumer literacy to students.
Entries for the 2019 competition are open until September 20, 2019.
