Farm safety calendar competition winner from Mackay region congratulated

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing The Honourable Grace Grace

Winning artwork by Matilda Merkel, a Year 6 student at Oakenden State School, was chosen for the February page of the 2023 Farm safety calendar.

A student from the Mackay region has become one of twelve Queensland kids to be selected as winners of the 2023 Farm safety calendar competition.

Artwork by Matilda Merkel from Oakenden State School – a school of just 14 students – was chosen for the February page of the calendar.

Queenslanders can order the 2023 Farm safety calendar for free from the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) website.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said WSHQ was inundated with 1,500 entries from budding young artists this year.

“The Farm safety calendar competition is a great way to get kids from all over Queensland thinking about safety at home and in their classrooms,” Ms Grace said.

“It gives primary school students the opportunity to help spread the word about how to stay safe on farms and rural properties, protecting our great lifestyle.

“Jobs in agriculture are great jobs that provide better services to Queenslanders, and we want to make sure the message is out there: be safe on farms.

“The standard of artwork over the years has been fantastic, and the latest edition of the calendar is no exception.

“The competition is a lot of fun, but the safety messages are serious. The agriculture industry employs around three per cent of Queensland workers but accounts for more than 30 per cent of workplace deaths.

“The 2023 calendar includes creative and colourful illustrations about electrical safety, animal safety, tractor and machinery safety, quad bike safety, water safety and general health and wellbeing.

“The 12 winners will each receive a $250 Visa gift voucher, plus another $500 for their school, with their artwork and safety messages featuring in the calendar.”

30,000 free copies of the 2023 Farm safety calendar will be available for Queenslanders in October.

Oakenden State School Principal, Angela Wood, said it meant a lot to her small school that Year 6 student Matilda Merkel had won.

“It demonstrates to our students and community members that just because you are from a small school, doesn’t mean you can’t do amazing things and change the world,” Ms Wood said.

“Our school and community are so very proud of Matilda, and so grateful that our school and local community will be represented on the big stage.

“The money will go a long way in helping us provide extra classroom resources to further our students learning.”

You can order your free 2023 Farm safety calendar here and check out the winning artwork for each month here.

Winners of the 2023 Farm safety calendar competition:

Month

Winner

Grade

School

Theme

January

Isabella Gatti

6

Kolan South State School, Bundaberg

Water safety (flood waters)

February

Matilda Merkel

6

Oakenden State School, Oakenden

Health and wellbeing (healthy meals)

March

Zahra Hill

1

Kilkivan State School, Kilkivan

Electrical safety (overhead powerlines)

April

Blayke Myles

6

Monto State School, Monto

Quad bike safety (children under 16)

May

Koby Bordic

3

Minimbah State School, Morayfield

Animal safety (hand washing)

June

Riley Scheuerle

6

St Monica’s Primary School, Oakey

Tractor and machinery safety (carrying passengers)

July

Stevie Heumiller

2

Gindie State School, Gindie

Health and wellbeing (sun safety)

August

Jaxton Cox

3

Elliott Heads State School, Elliott Heads

Tractor and machinery safety (fenced play area)

September

Isabelle Sheridan

4

St Maria Goretti School, Inglewood

Quad bike safety (helmet)

October

Briella Murphy

Prep

Kulpi State School, Kulpi

Animal safety (training)

November

Frankie Terrace

5

St Bernard State School, Tamborine Mountain

Electrical safety (safety switches)

December

Tasmin Spencer

3

Miriam Vale State School, Miriam Vale

Water safety (adult supervision)

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