Good Shepherd Lutheran College NT mural up for national award
A Darwin school's stunning wildlife mural has made the national finals of Keep Australia Beautiful's competition, with community votes needed to secure victory. Read the details.
A group of Top End students are urging the local community to get behind their mural masterpiece as final voting gets underway in the Paint Australia Beautiful Schools Mural Competition.
The Good Shepherd Lutheran College Leanyer Campus is one of six finalists vying for the National People’s Choice Award title after its design blueprint was selected as the NT winner.
The project is run by Keep Australia Beautiful and supported by Haymes Paint.
Year 2 students have since brought their mural to life in vibrant colour with paint and supplies donated by Haymes Paint.
Their design features local birdlife the students encounter every day at school, from plovers guarding their nests to cockatoos cracking seed pods, galahs munching fresh leaves and berries and lorikeets sipping nectar.
Each student drew the birds they love seeing, with the mural representing how humans coexist with the natural world, while honouring the wildlife that shares the school campus, and highlighting the importance of conservation.
The Good Shepherd Lutheran College mural was selected as the NT winner on June 30.
“It’s an honour to be a finalist and to see our love of nature recognised,” Classroom teacher Irene Kitsos said.
“The project has given students a chance to showcase their creativity and strengthened our shared commitment to protecting the animals and environment around us.”
Keep Australia Beautiful NT Chief Executive Heimo Schober said the students involved should be proud of their creations.
“The Good Shepherd Lutheran College mural is a bright and joyful celebration of local wildlife and biodiversity,” Mr Schober said.
“Inspired by the animals the students encounter every day, the mural transforms a simple shed into a vibrant showcase of nature.
“It reflects the school’s genuine commitment to conservation and proves how art can inspire young people to protect the world around them.”
Haymes Paint Shop Palmerston manager Rick Schulte congratulated Good Shepherd Lutheran College Leanyer Campus on its mural.
“The students have done an incredible job bringing their mural to life,” Mr Schulte said. “You can tell how much pride they’ve taken in it – it really captures what makes this place so special.
“It’s great to see young people getting creative and celebrating their local environment. We’re proud to have played a small part in helping them make something the whole school community can enjoy.”
Public voting for the National People’s Choice Award opens at 12pm October 24, and closes at 12pm October 31, with the winner to be announced on the Keep Australia Beautiful Facebook page and Paint Australia Beautiful website on November 5.
To vote, visit the Keep Australia Beautiful Facebook page, facebook.com/keepaustraliabeautiful, and click ‘like’ on the mural of your choice.
Originally published as Good Shepherd Lutheran College NT mural up for national award
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