Twelve children from across Queensland have been selected as the winners in this year’s Farm Safety Calendar Competition.
The calendar allows students from prep to grade six to showcase their artistic talents and knowledge of farm safety.
With more than 1500 entries across Queensland, the 2025 calendar will see key themes highlighting safety around electrical equipment, helmet safety and hygiene practices around animals.
The winners were judged by industry representatives from AgForce and Queensland Farmers’ Federation and representatives from the Office of Industrial Relations.
The competition aligns with the Australian Curriculum General capability: Literacy and the Health and Physical Education learning area.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the competition is a way of educating young Queenslanders about farm safety.
“I’m very pleased to announce the winners whose creative artworks will feature in the 2025 Farm safety calendar,” Mrs Grace said.
“It’s always a pleasure to see the effort and thought that has gone into making these artworks.
“This competition is an engaging way to educate young Queenslanders on the very real safety risks associated with farming while sharing safety messages across the state.
“These calendars will take pride of place on family fridges and in classrooms around Queensland.”
There are now 30,000 free 2025 calendars available to order at worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources/campaigns/farm-safety-calendar-competition/order-your-farm-safety-calendar
Cordalba State School student Audrey Waller
Cordalba State School student year six student Audrey Waller has had her artwork chosen to be included for the month of July.
Audrey said she drew a message about the topic ’always wash your hands after touching or playing with animals’ because she was familiar with animals.
“I have animals at home and I thought that it was an important message as they can carry diseases,“ she said.
“To me, farm safety means being safe around animals and farm machines, wearing the proper equipment like helmets and boots.
“I am happy and proud of myself to be a winner. I think that my school could spend the money on new things that the other students can share like sports equipment.“
Nanango State School student Charlotte Black
Nanango State School Prep student Charlotte Black’s drawing is featured for the month of March.
Five-year-old Charlotte practises farm safety by making sure to stay away from vehicles and machinery.
“If vehicles or anything is on, I stay away from them because it’s dangerous when they are driving, and we don’t want to get run over,” Charlotte said.
Her drawing reflected that; it shows “having a safe fenced play area away from machinery”.
In the foreground, she drew a swing set, sandpit and trampoline and on the other side of the fence, she drew hail bails and a tractor.
“I help my dad unbail some hay and rake the hay,” Charlotte said.
She lives on a large property with sheep and chickens, and some of her farm chores include feeding the chickens and collecting their eggs.
“The Blacks are generational family farmers in the area,” her teacher Katie Elford said.
“The school is very proud of her,” Principal Jade Mackay added.
Winners and their school both receive a gift card as part of their prize.
Charlotte plans on buying gifts for her family while the school plans to put the money towards something for safety or art supplies.
Tent Hill Lower State School student Jai Spence-Gray
Year four student Jai Spence-Gray will be featured in the Farm Safety Calendar in the month of June.
The 10-year-old’s drawing illustrates how children should not be allowed electrical equipment and should be safe while outside.
“I am very excited because I like drawing and now lots of people get to see my artwork,“ Jai said.
“I drew it to help keep other children safe, as it came to my mind when my teacher asked the class to draw an artwork for farm safety.
“Farm safety is important to everyone and by drawing this I hope that message spreads to others.“
Farm Safety Calendar Competition winners:
January: Dimity C, year five from Coorparoo State School
February: Abigail Church, year one from Haden State School
March: Charlotte Black, Prep from Nanango State School
April: Emmerson Twidale, year four from Surat State School
May: Cooper McCall, year three from Gogango State School
June: Jai Spence-Gray, year four from Tent Hill Lower State School
July: Audrey Waller, year six from Cordalba State School
August: Adalyn Atkinson, year one from Cairns School of Distance Education
September: Tori Maxwell, year two from Mount Isa School of the Air – Pioneer
October: Madison Agius, year six from Homebush State School
November: Paige Colls, year six from Kalamia State School
December: Millie Hume, year six from Delaneys Creek State School
