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 and check out the winning artwork for each month .
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) |
