'Wide Bay In Pictures' Date Extended

February 9, 2017

If your child is a budding creative genius, their artwork could adorn the office walls of Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien at Parliament House in Canberra.

On Thursday Mr O’Brien extended the date for entries to his Wide Bay In Pictures competition, which invites local school students to send him their photographic or artistic pictures which highlight the diversity and beauty of Wide Bay.

Entries must now be received by March 17.

Eight winning artworks will be printed on canvas and put on display in Mr O’Brien’s Parliament House and electorate offices, with two winners selected from each local council area in Wide Bay.

“This is a great project for school-age children to capture something unique and special about Wide Bay, and send it in with a chance their work will be displayed in the Australian Parliament,” Mr O’Brien said.

The images will also be published on social media with the hashtag #lovewidebay to promote Wide Bay to the rest of the world, and encourage people to visit the region.

“Wide Bay In Pictures will showcase not only the talent of our school students, but also our region’s pristine beaches, historic towns, beautiful hinterland and stunning landscapes,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr O’Brien encouraged students to be as creative as possible, and to use any artistic style they like to portray their favourite time and place in Wide Bay, from pre-European settlement through to the modern day.

“Wide Bay In Pictures will be an important conversation piece and enable people to see for themselves how appealing our region is, and the variety of attractions we have right on our doorstep.

“The tourism industry is a major driver of our regional economy, creating jobs and supporting other small businesses.

“I hope that iconic Wide Bay In Pictures will bring people to our region to experience this beauty and hospitality for themselves.”

Conditions of entry:

Entry is open to all primary and secondary school students and limited to one picture per person.

To enter, email a copy of your photographic or artistic picture to Llew.OBrien.MP@aph.gov.au with #lovewidebay in the subject line. Please include the students name, school name, school phone number, and the location of where the picture was taken together with the picture.

Two winners will be selected from each of the following local government areas in Wide Bay: Fraser Coast Regional Council; Gympie Regional Council; South Burnett Regional Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Council combined areas; and Noosa Council and Sunshine Coast Council combined areas.

There are 8 prizes of $200 available. The school’s P&C committee will receive $200 for a selected entry.

The student must reside in the Wide Bay electorate and their school must be located in the Wide Bay electorate.

All pictures must be taken in, or represent, the federal division of Wide Bay

Pictures may be posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) hashtag #lovewidebay with the first name of the photographer or artist and the location of the image.