Pupil’s peace poster now a national contender

A PEACEFUL poster by a Torquay pupil has been judged the best not only in the town but also in western Victoria.

The colourful entry into the Torquay Lions Peace Poster by Lisieux Catholic College Grade 5 pupil Isla McNamara will now be considered alongside other entries from across Australia as part of the annual Lions International competition.

The Torquay Lions Club opened entries to the 2023 edition of their Peace Poster competition earlier this year and invited pupils from local primary schools to take part.

Earlier this month, Isla’s artwork was judged the best, and the Torquay Lions also presented merit awards to Isla’s fellow Lisieux pupils Kate Mathews and Lusi Lyle.

Last week, the Torquay Lions told a delighted Isla that her poster had also won at the District 201 V2 level, which includes all Lions clubs from Melbourne’s western suburbs to the South Australian border, and would now progress to the multi-district final against other Australian districts.

Isla said peace, to her, was “when everyone comes together and celebrates their differences” and she tried to show that in her poster.

“I sort of wanted to relate a lot more about the peace side and the country side, but then I thought I may as well add some kind of dreaming, so I put in the dreamcatcher.

“But instead of the dreamcatcher part in the centre, I decided to draw Earth behind a peace sign.

“I really wanted to add a dove as well because they’re really cute, so I drew it holding a little plant and a trail of flags on a ribbon, which took quite a while to do.”

Local artist Natalie Martin judged the Torquay Lions Peace Poster entries.

“I really loved Isla’s interpretation of the theme, I thought the composition was really strong, and the symbology was really quite perfect and intertwined very well,” Ms Martin said.

Torquay Lions Club member Neil Roche congratulated Isla, Kate and Lusi for their entries.

“This year, the theme is ‘Dare to Dream’,” he said.

“Teacher Holly Moody has inspired these budding artists and they have dared to dream.”

For more than three decades, Lions clubs around the world have been sponsoring the Lions International Peace Poster competition in schools and youth groups.

Finalists in the art contest are eventually judged in the United States, with the international winner receiving $5,000 USD and a trip to the award ceremony in Chicago.

All entres into the Torquay Lions Peace Posters will be on display at the Torquay Medical Hub in Cylinders Drive for the next few weeks, and will also be exhibited at the Lions barbecue at the Cowrie Market this Sunday, November 19.