Aussie Bush theme uncovers artistic recycling sculptures

Above: A slide show featuring all of the entries that were received for the RAFCA competition and the presentation of prizes.

IT was compliments all round for the quality of local entries in the recent Recycled Art for Cowra Competition (RAFCA).

Chief Judge Tracey Callinan from Arts Out West commented on the high-quality of entries in the event, which this year had an Aussie Bush theme.

“Congratulations and thanks must go to all entrants for the imagination, humour and skill shown in using a variety of recycled materials to create such wonderful works of art,” Cowra Councillor Judi Smith from the Tidy Towns Committee said.

Entries were recently on display at Cowra Aquatic Centre with presentation of awards by Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West. Efforts in this year’s competition, from pre-school to opens, ranged from a swimming platypus, bush camps, lounging lizards, freedom eagles and gumnut wheels.

Winners included “Giddy Goanna” from Carinya Child Care Centre’s Waratah Room; “Bowerbird with Bower” for St Raphael’s Infants School; Charlotte Groves for

Years Seven–10 with “Lizard Lounging under Sturt Desert Pea”; and Len Wallace with a magnificent recycled eagle named “Freedom”, winner in first place for the Open section.

Award sponsors included Cowra Council, Cowra Services Club, Holmwood and Cowra Wreckers, and Jamieson’s Joinery.

“Next year’s competition will be held in May and will be bigger and better than ever, so remember everyone, reduce, recycle, and reuse, into great works of art for RAFCA,” Cr Smith said.

Full list of prize winners :

Preschool first place Waratah Room CEC Giddy Goanna

Preschool HC Wattle Room CEC Bush Camp

Infants first place St Raphael’s School Infants Bower bird with bower

Infants HC St Raphael’s School Infants Bush Bugs

Primary first place Wyangala Dam Public School Pelican and platypus

Primary HC Tahlia Ryan Banjo the swimming platypus

Years 7–10 first place Charlotte Groves Lizard lounging under Desert Pea Sturt

Years 7–10 HC Lachlan Tomes Sheepdog named Honda

Years 7–10 HC Harrison Carman Aussie Bush Gumnuts

Years 7–10 HC James Reynolds Black Swan

Open first place Len Wallace Wedge Tail Eagle “Freedom”

Open HC Peter Hein Wheel of Gumnuts