The threatened species art and writing competition has been a game changer for the Macarthur region.
For 17 years the competition, run in collaboration with Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly Councils, has been encouraging school students to learn about a local threatened plant or animal and represent it in an artwork or creative writing piece.
On the eve of the 18th year, Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, said the competition was part of council’s biodiversity month celebrations in September to raise awareness of threatened species and the challenges they face.
“It’s amazing to know the Macarthur region, our own backyard, is home to such a wide diversity of native plants and animals,” she said.
“Unfortunately, many of these are at risk of extinction. We’re hoping to raise awareness and show residents how we can all play a part in protecting the unique biodiversity around us.
“Every small action, from planting native gardens to support pollinators through to treading lightly in our incredible bushland reserves, truly counts.
“And you never know, you might encourage the people around you to play their part in protecting our local biodiversity.
“I can’t wait to see what students from across the Macarthur region – but particularly those from Camden – create this year,” Mayor Cagney said.
Entries to 2025 competition opened last week and will close on September 7.
Young people aged between five and 18 years who live in the Macarthur region are eligible to submit an entry.
First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each age group of the artwork category – five to six years, seven to nine years, 10 to 12 years, and 13 to 16 years.
First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each age group of the creative writing category – 8 to 12 years and 13 to 18 years.
School prizes are also up for grabs within each local government area.
Entries can be submitted through an e-form on Camden Council’s website, can be dropped off at Council’s Administration Building and mailed via the post.
Judging will be undertaken in September, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 15 at the Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre, Picton.
For more information, and to find out how you can enter, visit https://bit.ly/TSAC-2025
Over 30 threatened species listed will be losing their habitat on one development at Mount Gillard stage 2.
These include micro bats, Cumberland plain snail, threatened plants that have large numbers in clusters.
As well as the well known koala that is within our community that must have space to disperse.
With the rise in heat and air pollution that scientists are predicting we can add our children to this list, as this will be a silent killer.