Tasmania’s Penguin District School is calling on the local community to show their support in the final voting round of the Haymes Paint and Keep Australia Beautiful’s inaugural Paint Australia Beautiful competition.
Involving Penguin District School grade six students, the competition encouraged primary schools around Australia to get creative and design a nature-based mural, that they could bring to life at their school, for fellow students and the broader community to enjoy.
Penguin District School students were announced as Tasmania’s state winners in May 2023.
Keep Australia Beautiful is a not-for-profit organisation working to inspire and educate communities to keep their environment clean and beautiful.
Founded in 1968, Keep Australia Beautiful was Australia’s first anti-litter campaigner and sustainability advocate. Driven by national and state-based offices and passionate local community volunteer groups, their core objective is to raise awareness and promote sustainable living.
Through partnerships and programs, they provide education, innovation, engagement, and research to lead environmental sustainability and preservation.
Their completed mural was proudly unveiled today using the $750 in paint and supplies from Haymes Paint. They are now national finalists in the running to be crowned overall winner of the People’s Choice Award with $2,000 in prize money for their school up for grabs.
Penguin District School’s stunning mural was inspired by artworks from a local indigenous artist and the spectacular view they have in their new school location overlooking the ocean.
Voting has opened Monday 28 August at 12pm, and the students at Penguin District School need your help to win!
To vote, people must ‘follow’ Keep Australia Beautiful’s Facebook page http://facebook.com/keepaustraliabeautiful, and Haymes Paint’s Facebook page, http://facebook.com/Haymespaint and hit ‘like’ on the mural of their choice.
Voting will close Monday, 4 September at 12pm.
The People’s Choice Award winner will be announced on Keep Australia Beautiful’s Facebook Page and their Paint Australia Beautiful’s website on Wednesday, 6 September.
Matthew Perry, Principal, of Penguin District School, said: “To be nominated and selected as the state winner is an amazing achievement!” Mr Perry added.
“Not only do we now have a shipping container that is an eye-catching piece of art, but we have a chance of taking out the National Prize and $2,000,”
“Thanks to Mrs Slater for her motivation, inspiring work to initiate the project, and supporting the students to bring Aria’s outstanding design to life.”
Haymes Paint is the largest Australian-made and owned paint manufacturer. Established in 1935, the family-owned business has maintained its head office and manufacturing in Ballarat.
Haymes Paint Regional Business Manager Tasmania, Adam Donohue, said: “It is fantastic to see Penguin District’s mural come to life. They have created a wonderful mural for their school and community to enjoy.
“Haymes Paint is delighted to partner with Keep Australia Beautiful and bring creativity and colour to the Penguin District School. We wish them all the best in the final leg of the competition.”
Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania CEO, Geoff Marsh, said: “Congratulations to Penguin District School on winning the award for this terrific project.
“As a recent winner of the Tasmanian Tidy Towns award, Penguin District School reflects the community spirit of sustainability and tidiness,” M Marsh said.
For more information about Haymes Paint and Keep Australia Beautiful’s national Paint Australia Beautiful competition, visit kab.org.au/paint-australia-beautiful-schools-2023
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
