Region’s young artists showcase quintessential Australian life
Published on 05 February 2026
Budding young artists recently had the opportunity to show off their Aussie pride by entering the Celebrate Australia Primary School Art Competition.
Primary school students from Prep to Year 6 were encouraged to think about aspects of the Australian lifestyle important to them and to use this as inspiration for their artwork.
The winning artists were announced at Council’s Australia Day Family Fun Day held at Tannum Sands on 26 January.
Mayor Matt Burnett said the themes of flora, fauna and food were evident across many of the 218 entries.
“We received some fantastic entries with drawings depicting the beach through to the bush, koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras, meat pies and much more,” Mayor Matt Burnett said.
“Students used everything from paint, pencil, crayon, felt pen, watercolour and collage to construct their masterpieces.
“All entries will go on display at Gladstone Airport from 26 February until 9 April, then Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum from 2 May until 13 June, before going on tour at Gladstone City Library, Calliope Library and Boyne Tannum Community Centre.”
The winning artists were Órla Thetford with The Day the Nation Stood Still (Section 1: Prep – Year 2) and Alexis Yeoman with Echidna pie eating champion (Section 2: Year 3 – Year 6).
IMAGE: Cr Leanne Patrick with Alexis Yeoman (Section 2: Year 3 – Year 6) won first prize for Echidna pie eating champion.
Second prize winners included Maya Jena’s The Hunting Dingo (Section 1: Prep – Year 2) and Sofia Jena’s Uluru (Section 2: Year 3 – Year 6).
Third prize winners were Elijah Abramovic with Great Barrier Reef (Section 1: Prep – Year 2) and Aspen Thetford with Ned Kelly Such is Life (Section 2: Year 3 – Year 6).
IMAGE: (L to R) - Aspen Thetford, Samuel Coates, Arlo Thetford, Daniel Robinson, Órla Thetford, Maxwell Barnes, Isla Horsey, Alexis Yeoman, Elijah Abramovic and Piper Mcauley with Cr Glenn Churchill, Cr Chris Cameron, Cr Mellissa Holzheimer, Mayor Matt Burnett, Cr Simon McClintock and Cr Leanne Patrick at the Australia Day Family Fun Day held in Tannum Sands.
Highly commended awards went to Maxwell Barnes, Samuel Coates, Isla Horsey and Kaylis Costigan (Section One), and Piper Mcauley, Baowen Ou, Arlo Thetford and Daniel Robinson (Section Two - pictured top with Cr Simon McClintock and Mayor Matt Burnett).
Click here for more information about the Celebrate Australia Primary School Art Competition including a full list of exhibition dates and locations.