Local students recognised in art competition

AIREYS Inlet Primary School students recently showed their artistic prowess in the 2020 Shorebirds Competition.

Run by Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the competition invites students from Grades 3 to 6 from across Australia to submit public awareness posters with a drawing of a shorebird on it.

Aireys Inlet Primary School students have excelled in this year’s competition. All the Grade 3 to 6 students took part in it, with 18 of their students’ pictures making the first round of judging.

Grade 3 student Oliver and Grade 6 students Mischa, Janahli, and Paige’s drawings were highly commended by the competition’s judges.

Aireys Inlet Primary School Visual and Performing Arts teacher Karren Stoneham said they were proud of their students’ efforts.

“It’s pretty huge for a little school like ours. They’re talented students we have.”

As part of the Shorebirds Competition students started off by learning about the shorebirds native to their region.

Ms Stoneham said the program subsequently gave students an opportunity to show their understanding of the native wildlife as well as their artistic skills.

“We have shorebirds all around our beaches and wetlands here, some of which are endangered,” she said.

“It was a very educational program to start off with, and it was about trying to get the signs out and letting giving a voice to these shorebirds.”