Nineteen primary schools are represented in the list of prizewinners in the Aunties and Uncles colouring-in competition judged at CareSouth’s Head Office in Nowra.
More than 1100 forms were received from primary school students between Helensburgh and Batemans Bay, the Southern Highlands and Queanbeyan. The entries were judged according to accuracy, creativity and sense of colour.
Organiser of the competitionJo Munro, said, “We are overwhelmed by the number of entries that we received and are delighted that many more children and families are aware of this fantastic program.
“We chose the bush tucker theme as the Aunties & Uncles program is open to children and volunteers from a range of cultural backgrounds. We also have strong links with the indigenous communities throughout southern NSW and the bush tucker theme is a good way to celebrate those links.
“This year’s colouring form depicts an Aunties & Uncles volunteer family enjoying Macadamia nuts, Lilli pillis, Davidsons plums and Sandpaper figs under the direction of an indigenous tour guide. They are surrounded by a bush scene featuring a bronze winged pigeon, a wattle bird, an eastern spine bill, a bandicoot, rainbow lorikeet and a ringed tail possum.
“It is a graphic illustration of how this program lifts children from the stress or isolation of their home life and gives them memories and experiences that they will treasure for a lifetime.
“Our judging panel included colouring form illustrator, graphic designer Lindsay Crethar; Mary Preece, Education Manager, Bundanon Trust; Jessica Green, Children and Youth Services Assistant, Shoalhaven Council and Ann Amour, a CareSouth representative,” said Ms Munro.
Aunties & Uncles Program Manager Clare Wilson said: “We hope this competition will help to raise awareness of this important and life changing program. Aunties & Uncles replaces what’s missing in a child’s life, it replaces the support structures that they don’t have which are so important for them to develop self-esteem, self-worth and sense of purpose. It recognizes that a young person needs normalcy and security.
“Aunties & Uncles works by providing children who are socially or emotionally at risk with a volunteer extended ‘family’. Sometimes children are linked with just an Aunt or an Uncle and sometimes with a couple. ‘Aunts’ and ‘Uncles’ are over 21, from all walks of life, who have a friendly caring nature, enjoy spending time with children, and are able to provide a safe place for a child.
“Research has shown that a preventative program such as Aunties & Uncles can alleviate the stress many families face and, by linking children with appropriate role models, contributes to children developing into well-adjusted adults. The average contact is just one weekend a month but makes a world of difference to each child,” said Ms Wilson.
We now have more than 100 volunteer aunties and uncles between Helensburgh and Batemans Bay. But there are so many children still in need. Our vision is to be able to link every child that is referred to us with an appropriate volunteer family,” she said.
“Anyone interested in joining the program who is over 21 and happy to consent to a working with children check can contact CareSouth on 1300 554 260,” she said.
2010 Aunties & Uncles Colouring-in Competition Winners
Student with disabilities Winner A family pass to Mogo Zoo
Jai Ardler, St Georges Basin Public
Student with disabilities Runner Up A family pass to Mogo Zoo
Nicholas Gluth, year 2, Gerringong Public
Kindergarten Runner Up A family pass to Mogo Zoo
Alysha Yates, kindergarten, Minnamurra Public
Kindergarten, Winner A family pass to Nowra Animal Park
Ruby Eckermann, kindergarten, Austinmer Public
Year 1 Runner Up A family pass to the Australian Maritime Museum
Mikayla Wilson year 1, Hayes Park Public
Year 1, Winner A family pass to Manly Waterworks
Tyler MacMahon, year 1, St Michaels
Year 2 Runner Up A family pass to the Australian Maritime Museum
Bethany Chapman, year 2, Gerringong Public
Year 2 Winner A family pass to Dolphin Watch Cruises
Spencer Barnes, year 2, Bowral Public
Year 3 Runner Up A family pass to the Illawarra Fly
Laura Brodnik, year 3, Saint Brigids
Year 3 Winner A family pass to the National Zoo and Aquarium
Teneisha Ross, year 3, St Georges Basin Public
Year 4 Runner Up A family pass to the Illawarra Fly
Abby Rose Holmes, year 4, Lake Heights Public
Year 4 Winner A family pass to Questacon, Canberra
Emily Bradstock, year 4, Callala Public
Year 5 Runner Up A family pass to the Australian Maritime Museum
Isabella Gallant, year 5, Tomerong Public
Year 5 Winner A family pass to Jamberoo Action Park
Bethany Neville, year 5, Minnamurra Public
Year 6 Runner Up to the Australian Maritime Museum
Alexander Spirovski, year 6, Mt Kembla Public
Year 6 Winner A Sydney Harbour Bridge climb for two people
Jack Gill, year 6, Moruya Public
Highly Commended A family pass to Mogo Zoo
Phoebe Bridle, kindergarten, Ulladulla Public
Highly Commended, A family pass to the National Zoo and Aquarium
Valeria Eginson, year 4, Queanbeyan West Public
Highly Commended A family pass to a Historic Houses property
Brooke Griffin, year 6, Batemans Bay Public
Highly Commended A family pass to an Historic Houses property
Teileah Howarth, year 3, Queanbeyan South Public
Highly Commended, A family pass to the Australian Maritime Museum
Alicia Ryan, year 1, St Bernards Batehaven
Highly Commended, A family pass to the National Zoo and Aquarium
Arlen Chad Williams, year 2, Jerrabomberra Public
