Students from the Boyne Valley region were recently presented with certificates and prize packs for their efforts in the Cluden Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) art competition. The Cluden Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) is a research, education and training facility which is part of CQU's Centre for Environmental Management.

CWMU Manager, Maggie Stanek, said the competition was part of the Boyne Valley branch of the Port Curtis Division of the Country Women's Association International Day held in Ubobo.

“Each year students from Builyan, Ubobo and Nagoorin State Schools participate in the event which focuses their studies on a particular country, and this year they studied Australia,” said Ms Stanek.

In keeping with the theme, 35 students demonstrated their artistic talent by colouring their versions of the CWMU logo.

The Cluden Wildlife Management Unit is a wildlife research and rehabilitation centre located 38km south-west of Calliope.

It was established to assist community organisations in their wildlife conservation efforts through such activities as habitat assessments, rescue, the retrieval of arboreal marsupials located during clearing operations, and rehabilitation and release of retrieved animals. It also serves as an education and training centre and as a staging base for ongoing research projects in the local area.

Ms Stanek said the art competition was an excellent way of raising the students’ awareness of native wildlife and to say thanks to the Boyne Valley community for all of its assistance and support to the CWMU over the years.

“The Boyne Valley community has provided the Unit with an amazing level of support since it was established and this is just one way we can show our appreciation,” said Ms Stanek.

The winners of the best drawings in the four grade categories, Georgia Hayes (Prep-1), Cassia McLachlan(2-3), Lakara Plumb (4-5) and Laura Pownall (6-7), each received a Certificate of Merit, a sun hat with the embroidered CWMU logo, and KMart gift cards.

Certificates of Achievement were also presented to the remaining 31 talented young artists who participated in the Art Contest in recognition of their efforts.

Photo: Winners of the Art Competition with their CWMU prize packs; Georgia Hayes, Lakara Plumb, Laura Pownall and Cassia McLachlan.