Torquay College pupil wins local peace poster contest

A TORQUAY College pupil has won a local Peace Poster competition sponsored by the Torquay Lions Club.

Bonnie Skalba, 12, was among over 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the 31st annual Lions International Peace Poster contest.

In a bid to spread the importance of world peace to young people across all walks of life, Lions Club International is proudly sponsoring the contest.

While there were so many entries in the Peace Poster competition – which has been running for three decades – Bonnie’s strong views about the world and human beings scored her the win.

“I just want everyone to be kind to each other and if that happens the world will be at peace once again,” the young student from Torquay said.

Upholding the contest theme “Kindness Matters”, Bonnie’s poster was selected by a panel of judges from Gilbert Street’s Bendigo Bank and was praised for its originality, artistic quality and meaningful ideas.

Torquay Lions Club President Patricia Blane said she was excited to see so many Torquay College students involved in the contest and remains impressed by the expression and creativity displayed in their entries.

“It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them.

“I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions.”

The success of Bonnie’s poster has seen her winning entry advance to the next stage of the contest and will soon face strong competition at the Lions District level.

“The winner of the District competition then competes in multi district and international rounds of the competition before they are declared the international grand prize winner,” President Patricia Blane said.

One grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected.

The grand prize includes a cash award of US$5,000 (around AUD$7,100), as well as a trip for the winner and two family members to an award ceremony.

The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of US$500 (around AUD$710).

Local winner Bonnie and nine other students from Torquay College were recognised for their participation in the contest on October 26 at the school.

Torquay Lions Club Peace Poster competition coordinator Bill Ferguson said this year’s contest was very competitive as each entry included wonderful messages relating to world peace.

“Bonnie’s poster faced some strong competition in our local comp,” he said.

“Next year, I expect there will be entrants from all Torquay’s schools which will make the competition even more difficult.”