Published on 23 July 2020
The 2020 Competition closes on 21 August!
The Threatened Species Art and Writing Competition (TSAC) is a regional environmental education program, involving Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council and Wollondilly Shire Council. The competition celebrates Biodiversity Month (September) and Threatened Species Day on Monday 7 September.
The Macarthur region, our backyard, is home to a wide diversity of native plants and animals. Many of these plants and animals are affected by a range of impacts such as habitat loss, competition and predation from non-native species and foreign diseases. There are a range of species occurring within the local region that are at risk of extinction and have been listed as ‘Threatened Species.’
The competition targets all stages of primary school and is open to young people aged 5-12. TSAC encourages students to learn about a local threatened species and represent it in an artwork or creative writing piece.
The competition is now in its 13th year and through its cross-curricula nature has been successfully engaging primary schools in Geography, Science, Visual Arts and English throughout the Macarthur region.
How to enter
Entering an artwork
All you need to do is ensure your entry:
- Is of a threatened plant or animal species that occurs in the Macarthur region and on A4 sized paper
- Includes your name, age and contact details on the artwork
If you are entering as a school, please ensure that each student's name, age, school and class is identified on the artwork.
Entering a creative writing story
We want you to write a short story that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of our threatened plants and animals.
You can get as creative as you like, however the story must include facts about one or more of the following:
- The plant or animal's habitat
- The plant or animal's diet
- The threats to the plant or animal
- How you think we can save the plant or animal from extinction.
Entry is open to writers aged 8 to 12 years. All you need to do is:
- Write a creative story that could be read to someone aged 5-6 years old
- Make sure your story is no longer than one A4 page.
Waste to Art
Waste and plastic pollution has an enormous impact on the local and global environment.
The Waste to Art category is a category with the aim of getting students to consider how we might be contributing to the problem, and what we can do to move to a more sustainable future.
The Waste to Art project presents a reminder to practice the ‘5 Rs’ of waste minimisation, Refuse, Reduce, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle.
Submit your entry
Whether you're creating an artwork or writing piece, entering is easy!
Simply complete the online entry form, attach your artwork or creative writing piece and submit your entry by either:
Online submission
Upload a copy of your artwork and enter your contact details here.
By post
Threatened Species Competition Camden Council PO Box 183 Camden NSW 2560
In person
Drop off your entries to Camden Council’s Administration Building at 70 Central Avenue, Oran Park during office hours.
Awards Ceremony
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year there won’t be an award ceremony, instead:
- A video announcing the winners in each age category will be developed by the Macarthur Councils to be shared via social media.
- Winners will have the opportunity to be featured in the video to describe their artwork and inspiration.
An exhibition of winning entries will be displayed on TV screens at all Macarthur libraries throughout Biodiversity month (September).
For more information, please contact Council’s Natural Resource Project Officer on 4654 7777.