Competition Organiser
The Threatened Species Children's Art competition is organised by Forestmedia, a small not-for-profit organisation that is aiming to increase community awareness of the plight of our threatened species and help to develop the next generation of environmental leaders. http://www.forestmedia.net.au/about-forestmedia.html
The competition is supported by a number of organisations including the National Parks Association, the Nature Conservation Council, Wires, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Humane Society International, Animals Australia and Taronga Zoo. http://www.threatenedspeciesartcomp.net.au/supporters.html
The competition is co-ordinated in the ACT by the Australian Association of Environmental Educators, ACT Chapter.
What is the aim of the competition?
The organisers want to:
- Help primary aged children understand how the threat of extinction applies to native flora and fauna in NSW, including the reasons why they are threatened and the steps that can be taken to save them.
- Help primary aged children express their feelings about nature and about threatened native animals and plants through the creation of artworks.
- Help children to create imaginative images to increase their confidence and strengthen their own artistic flair.
- Allow children to enter the competition and potentially be among the finalists whose work would hang in an exhibition.
- Help to develop the environmental leaders of the future, especially in the cities where children have less opportunities to engage with the natural world.
- Engage the wider community in the project.
How to Support our work
A donation of whatever size will assist us in making the competition a memorable experience for the participants, and in spreading the word about our threatened species. You can make a funds transfer to Forestmedia Network Inc, Bendigo Bank, Leichhardt Branch, BSB/Account No 633000 143622330 or contact the organisers on 0414958714 or 02 80688805 for further details on how to donate.
Forestmedia does not at this stage have DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, but hopes to to be eligible to offer tax deductibility at some time in the future.
Competition Co-ordinating committee
LORRAINE BOWER Co-ordinator
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Sydney University), Master of Art and Design Education (UNSW), Doctor of Philosophy (Faculty of Education, UTS)
Lorraine commenced her career as a graphic designer and became a partner in a small city agency. From 1989 she lectured in the design course at TAFE. She was appointed Head of Design at a private college in 1997 and from 2002-2005 was Dean of the college, responsible for seven departments. She worked in the university system at UTS, Insearch, UNSW and UWS as a tutor and lecturer in design theory from 2006 until 2014. She was Secretary and then Co-ordinator of the Australian Forests and Climate Alliance (2011- 2016). She was a member of the executive, Nature Conservation Council of NSW (2013).
JENNIFER SYMONS Member
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Sydney University), Graduate Certificate - Children’s Literature (Deakin University)
After working at Nestle and George Patterson Advertising, Jenny set up – in partnership – a market research consultancy company which operated successfully for 40 years. Since retirement, she has worked in a voluntary capacity for The Wayside Chapel, The Sydney Writers Festival, The Children’s Writer’s Festival and Volunteer Life (an organisation designed to promote and support volunteering).
SUSIE RUSSELL Member
Susie has been an environmentalist, focussing on forest conservation, for 25 years. She has been a co-ordinator of the North East Forest Alliance, and an office bearer with the North Coast Environment Council for much of that time. She has served on several State Government advisory committees including the Forestry Advisory Council and the Natural Resources Advisory Council. She is on the board of 4nature and is currently one of the environment chamber board members of the Forest Stewardship Council (Australia).
JENNY ELLYARD Member
Jenny has been a primary school teacher for more than forty years. She has a strong interest both in education and the natural environment. She feels it is of prime importance to educate children about the importance of the natural environment and of the threats it faces.
PENNY WALTON Member
Penny studied painting and drawing at the Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney.
She worked as a freelance illustrator in Sydney and London where she illustrated children’s picture and educational books.
Her love of the Australian bush has lead to a series of posters based around birds and plants and many books and paintings with the theme of Australian Flora and Fauna.
She is a Primary School art teacher at John Colet School and works as an art educator at Mosman art Gallery.
LINDIE WARD (THREATENED SPECIES ART EXHIBITION CURATOR 2016-2017)
Lindie Ward, is an independent Curator who worked as Textile and Fashion Curator at the Powerhouse Museum. She was curator of several award winning exhibitions such as Love Lace and A Fine Possession, the online Australian Dress Register, and for the National Trust at Old Government House, Parramatta, Love Desire and Riches. Lindie also works on not for profit projects that she feels are important to the future of art, culture and our world. BA Design, University of the Arts, London; MA Philosophy, University College, London
BRIGID DOWSETT Member
Brigid has extensive experience in both voluntary and paid positions as a researcher and campaigner with NGO’s such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, Total Environment Centre, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and Friends of the Earth on a range of issues, including sustainable management of the water cycle and biodiversity conservation. She was a director of Landcare Australia Ltd, 1994-2015, is a member of a NPWS Regional Advisory Committee (Metro North East) and served on the State Stormwater Advisory Committee. She is a qualified bush regenerator, site supervisor and director of Lane Cove Bush Regenerators Co-operative Ltd.
STEPHANIE KNOX Member
Qualifications: BSc, BA(Hons), Master of Public Health
After graduating with a major in botany at the University of Sydney, Stephanie worked for more than a decade in voluntary and professional positions for various conservation and land management agencies in NSW, Tasmania and Victoria.
Stephanie eventually made a career change and has spent the last 20 years working in Public Health and Health Services research. She maintains a long-standing passion for bushwalking and an interest in the conservation and protection of Australia’s natural heritage.