FEDERAL Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch is calling on Far North Queensland kids to illustrate how Christmas is celebrated around the world as part of his 2015 Christmas Card competition.
The competition, which is now in its sixth year, is open to all children in Leichhardt aged from 5 years to 12 inclusive – with the winning pictures to feature on Warren’s annual Christmas card, distributed to his Parliamentary colleagues and contacts in Leichhardt.
“We may not have a traditional white Christmas here in Far North Queensland but we do have our own unique ways of celebrating with friends and family,” said Mr Entsch, “as do other communities around the world.
“For instance, in the Netherlands Santa Claus is called Sinterklaas – he lives in Spain and arrives by steamboat to deliver gifts; in India they decorate mango trees instead of pine trees; and in Venezuela’s capital Caracas they close off the roads to cars so that locals can roller-skate to the morning mass at church,” he said.
“This year I’m encouraging kids to show their creativity by creating a picture illustrating how people in countries as well as Australia celebrate the festive season.”
Last year’s theme, ‘The Spirit of Christmas’, saw more than 150 entries from children all across the Leichhardt electorate.
“It was truly inspirational to see the designs that our kids came up with,” said Mr Entsch.
“They used glitter and glue, crayons, pencils, and even Photoshop to demonstrate how the real spirit of Christmas involves being selfless, showing gratitude, and caring for others in the community.”
Mr Entsch again thanked Cairns Penny for sponsoring the competition.
“The Cairns Penny team continues to show us incredible generosity,” he said, “and have once again donated $150, $100, and $50 First Penny accounts for our first, second, and third prize-winners,” he said.
“They’ve also provided an additional five $20 accounts for outstanding designs.”
Peter Phillips from Cairns Penny said: “We enjoy being able to support the artistic flair of kids in Far North Queensland.”
“This year we’ll again be displaying the entries on the Cairns Penny wall for everyone to come in and admire throughout the holiday season – it’s become our own Christmas tradition, and one that our customers have grown to love,” said Peter.
All schools will receive the application forms and conditions of entry next week so that kids can begin designing their entries. The competition will close at 5pm on Friday, 6th November.
Forms can also be collected from Warren’s office at 200 Mulgrave Road, from Cairns Penny at 22/24 Grafton Street, or downloaded below.
All entries should be sent to PO Box 14, BUNGALOW, QLD 4870. They must be the original design, in a horizontal A4 format, accompanied by a completed application form.
