Water Minister Dave Kelly has today congratulated some of the State's talented young writers for helping spread the importance of valuing water as a precious resource during National Water Week.
The Water Corporation partnered with The Literature Centre to launch The Words for Water Writing Challenge for students in the centre's Talented Young Writers' Programme.
The exciting challenge was open to nearly 1,800 Year 6-12 students throughout Perth, Albany, Busselton, Bunbury and Geraldton enrolled in the programme. Students participated in writing workshops and were then encouraged to submit a short piece of literature reflective of this year's National Water Week theme 'It's time to change the world'.
Entries were assessed on originality and impact and centred on water use in everyday life as well as the importance of protecting water as a precious resource for generations to come. From a pool of 10 outstanding finalists, the winners were fittingly announced today during National Water Week. Congratulations to:
- Year 11 Perth Modern School student Alexandra van Schie for her winning entry encouraging the community to become more thoughtful, careful and caring with their water use.
- Year 9 Great Southern Grammar student Mia Swanepoel won the regional award for her educational poem about small things everyone can do to help save water.
- Year 6 Winterfold Primary School student Anika Emmi Evans also received a highly commended for her creative story on reducing marine pollution.
Finalists received a certificate and book voucher to further pique their interest in reading and writing.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"This National Water Week I encourage everyone to do their bit to save precious water as every effort, no matter how big or small, counts.
"The Words for Water Writing Challenge provides a great opportunity for students to learn about our unique water cycle and the significance of water conservation, with climate change one of the biggest challenges we face.
"Congratulations to everyone for their outstanding entries and for helping spread the important message of using water more wisely."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"Congratulations to Mia Swanepoel on being the regional winner, Albany and the South Coast are experiencing the effects of climate change with reduced rainfall and stream runoff from water catchment areas.
"Mia's poem about how everyone can contribute to saving water by doing the small things, shows the simple changes in how people use water can lead to us conserving more of this vital resource."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"I'm not surprised to see Fremantle represented among the winners of The Words for Water Writing Challenge.
"Western Australian kids, and Freo kids in particular, care passionately about water conservation and the preservation of our pristine rivers and oceans.
"Congratulations to Anika from Winterfold Primary and all the students who entered."
Minister's office - 6552 6100
