Corowa South and Lowesdale Public Schools Young Artists

Mr GREG APLIN (Albury) [5.38 p.m.]: The young students of Corowa South Public School and Lowesdale Public School are consistently among the most recognised artists in our State. Their success in state-wide and national competitions has much to do with their talent and even more to do with the inspiration and guidance they receive from their art teacher, Pam Fredericks. Visitors to one of the small schools are immediately impressed by the range of brightly coloured murals which adorn the walls and compel people to stop, admire the artwork and reach for a camera. The murals and signs around the schools span several years, so visitors quickly realise that these are not the works of one or two gifted students, but the cumulative creations of many young primary school children. The striking colours, the range of flora, fauna and other subjects never fail to impress, both as an introduction to the schools and as a legacy of past students.

Over the past ten years or so art teacher Pam Fredericks has inspired many primary school children to develop as individuals, to express themselves through different materials and, in creating art works, to find self-confidence. She describes the process as "self-esteem through creative expression", and the number of awards gained by the schools proves conclusively that enthusiastic, motivated students in small country schools can certainly hold their own against all-comers in New South Wales. Corowa South Public School last month won the Dymocks Golden Paw Award for the third year in a row.

I congratulate Bethany Thornber for her artwork of an Australian rock wallaby, which came first in the State out of an enormous 5,500 entries. Not only did this small school take out the first prize, but out of the 12 finalists, 6 were from Corowa South Public School. The other five finalists who must also be commended for their achievement are Bronson Thornber, Nathan Pavey, Kellie Lofthouse, Thomas Webb and Joshua Ost. Cody Kuschert from the Lowesdale Public School was also one of the talented finalists. You would think there was something in the water in the Corowa area. However, it is more likely that the success of students from Corowa South at the Golden Paw Awards is evidence of their teacher's commitment to developing talent in the students and fostering a love of nature at the school.

The Golden Paw Awards were initiated by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife to raise awareness of Australia's threatened species amongst primary school children and the general public, and Corowa South has excelled in this field. In the lead-up to the competition Pam Fredericks teaches the students about Australian animals, particularly those that are vulnerable, threatened or endangered. In doing so, she encourages observation and artistic skills. The school's commitment to encouraging the children's love of nature goes even further, as the students help raise funds for threatened species. The students aimed to submit as many artworks as possible, with every artwork generating a dollar donation from Dymocks to help to save Australia's frogs from extinction.

The school's success is not limited to the Golden Paw Awards. Last month schools all over the world celebrated World School Milk Day, and Dairy Australia ran the Make Mine Milk art competition for primary students across the country. Corowa South's talented Bethany Thornber once again took out first place, with her drawing deemed to be the most creative and best-realised entry in the New South Wales-Australian Capital Territory section. In the same month, the work of Corowa South was again showcased when students created an informative poster to form part of the Living River Unit, a new curriculum based on educating students about local water. The students' colourful poster was then sent to primary schools along the Murray River. Lowesdale Public School has also achieved success in a number of competitions at national, regional and local levels. Students' artworks have received recognition at the Children's Nagoya Art and Calligraphy Exhibition, been selected as the Taronga Zoo banner, featured at the Director's Choice awards in the Riverina Region, and won Corowa District Garden Show awards and the Bunnings Sunsmart competition.

Under the inspiring leadership of Pam Fredericks, the students from Corowa South Public School and Lowesdale Public School have undertaken imaginative and creative pursuits whilst contributing to the local community and school events. The children of Lowesdale created headpieces for the school's Lion King concert and last year constructed metre-high masks representing different cultures for the school's end of year concert. Pam has developed art programs to suit the needs of individuals at both schools for around ten years. As a result of her work, many of her students have become highly motivated artists and have been able to develop a strong appreciation for creative expression. Even the judges at the Golden Paw Awards noticed something special about the work from Corowa South, stating:

It is remarkable that each of the drawings from Corowa South are different, showing the students' unique creative styles.

The principal of Lowesdale Public School describes Pam Fredericks as:

a brilliant teacher, a wise and thoughtful person, a keen observer of nature, a wonderfully warm grandmother and mother and a kind and supportive friend.

We are indeed fortunate to have her working in two New South Wales public schools. I thank Pam for her tireless work with her students and I commend to the House the excellent work done by the staff and students at Corowa South Public School and Lowesdale Public School.