Joint winners of the 2023 mini float competition witnessed a special unveiling of their 'Christmas BBQ' float today at Stardust Castle.
Entered by Breanna Giacopini, Ella Chappel and Alyssa Rudge from Paralowie R-12 School, the winning design has been brought to life with the mini float to feature in the 91st National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant on Saturday 4 November 2023.
Standing out from the more than 700 entries in the mini float competition, it is an ode to Christmas lunch in the southern hemisphere, complete with prawns on the barbie. It also encapsulates the theme of this year's National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, which celebrates the 'Joy of Christmas'.
Made during their recess and lunch breaks at school, Breanna, Ella and Alyssa's original entry was made from clay and represents their shared family Christmas memories.
Breanna, Ella and Alyssa were rewarded with a viewing of the float for the first time today and presented with the winner's prize. A cheque of $500 thanks to National Pharmacies was presented to the winners during the mini float unveiling ceremony, as well as reserved seating for the 2023 National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
The competition attracted more than double the entries received in 2022 and was open to children aged between 5 and 16 to design a mini float showing what Christmas means to them. Entries were received from schools and students across South Australia, displaying the ongoing significance of the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant and the start of the festive season.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said children all over the state would be inspired by the winning float design and the imagination and effort that went into it.
"The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant is a special event for so many children and families, and this design will no doubt resonate with young minds right across the state," Minister Bettison said.
"The mini float competition is a wonderful opportunity for young South Australians to have their dreams and designs incorporated into the southern hemisphere's largest public parade."
Ella Chappel said it was exciting and unexpected to find out the group's entry had won the competition.
"We didn't know what to do for our design at first, so we tried to think of what Christmas is like in Australia and with our families," Ella said.
Pageant Director, Brian Gilbertson was delighted that so many children entered quality designs.
"I'm very proud of Breanna, Ella and Alyssa for their creative vision which will most certainly bring smiles, laughs and cheers from all watching along the blue honour line this November," Mr Gilbertson said.
"The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant has always been about the joy and spirit of Christmas, and we've felt that everyday whilst constructing 'Christmas BBQ'."
Vito Borrello, Chief Executive Officer of National Pharmacies is looking forward to seeing the crowd's reaction toward the mini float on Pageant Day.
"On behalf of everyone at National Pharmacies we want to give the biggest congratulations to these students for entering a truly special float design," Mr Borrello said.
"The joy of Christmas is so important to everyone here at National Pharmacies and any opportunity that helps share, inspire and celebrate that will most certainly have our full support."
Second and third place winners, Patty Hutchinson and Jiorgina Krinis were also in attendance at the unveiling ceremony to celebrate their designs making the top three.
They were both gifted with a $250 and $100 cheque respectively, thanks to the team at National Pharmacies.
There are just 43 sleeps until the 91st National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant returns to the streets of Adelaide on Saturday 4 November.
