THERE were a record number of entries in the Upper Hunter Shire Mayor for a Day competition, which encourages primary students to think about how to improve their community and how to have their views heard.
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The most popular ideas were more sports, parks and gardens, helping farmers and homeless people, and environmental initiatives to save water and grow healthy food.
Of the 712 children from 10 primary schools who contributed their ideas through essays or postcard drawings, the overall Mayor for a Day winner was Jaiden Summers from Murrurundi Public School.
Year 5/6 student Jaiden eloquently advocated for more community fundraising for facilities like lights at the footy oval, a skate park and finishing the Scone to Murrurundi water pipeline.
Deputy mayor – or second prize - went to Alister Fairfull, a year 5/6 pupil at St Joseph’s Merriwa whose ideas included a warm bed and delicious food for homeless people, recreational and play facilities including a dog park where kids and adults could stay fit, a shooting range, a drive-in movie theatre and more money for farmers.
The children’s hand-drawn postcards portrayed a special place in their community.
Some of the top locations to be sketched included Glenbawn Dam and other swimming and fishing spots, parks and sporting fields and even a favourite fine dining restaurant.
School winners
Aberdeen Public – Charlotte Wells (essay –Charlotte was the 2016 overall winner) & Gabriela Ray (postcard)
Belltrees Public School – Emily Taylor
Blandford Public School – Alec Crowe
Ellerston Public School – Lucas Grimes (essay) and Rosie Baker (postcard)
Merriwa Central School – Ella Towell (essay) and Grace Collits (postcard)
Murrurundi Public School - Jaiden Summers (essay)
Scone Public School – Jared Gibbs (essay) and Layla Collins (postcard)
Scone Grammar School – Sarah Clark (essay) and Nick Froml (postcard)
St Joseph's Primary School Merriwa – Alister Fairfull (essay) and Olivia Purcell (postcard)
St Mary’s Primary School – Toby Guilfoyle (essay) and Chloe Leman (postcard)
Mayor Wayne Bedggood judged the competition with help from other councillors and noted the standard of entries, and the number, was growing every year.
In 2016, there were less than 300.
“Council congratulates all the children who entered Mayor for a Day and we thank the schools for their partnership in this NSW Local Government Week initiative,” he said.
“The competition encourages children to think about their community, the services needed, and to take an interest in local government.”
The winners were presented with medallions at the council meeting in front of an audience of families, friends and school principals.
All 712 participants in Mayor for a Day received a certificate of appreciation.
