2902.0 - Census Update (Newsletter), Jul 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/07/2006   
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Census: A Moving Picture of Children’s Communities

Students at Richmond West Primary School will see their artwork on Melbourne’s trams in the month before the 8 August Census.

The group of students from grades 5 and 6 were judged winners of the Census Tram Art Competition on the 21 June, 2006. The competition asked students to work as a class or smaller group to create a banner artwork that incorporates such Census related themes as diversity, housing, schools, community, transport and parks.

The competition looked to fulfil educational goals whilst raising awareness of the links between the Census and children’s communities. The judges, comprising Andrew Henderson, Director of Census in Victoria, Nadia del Piero of Red Crayon graphic design and Mara Rebellato, a Victorian Primary School teacher, said that the Richmond West work was chosen from a rich field of entries.

"There were probably 20 or more pictures that I would have been more than happy to see out there representing what the Census is all about," said Mr Henderson. "The kids have really made that connection between the Census and community services and amenities.

"The entries were vibrant, well thought out and in some cases very sophisticated," said Ms Rebellato. "It's clear that a lot of work was put in and the kids enjoyed themselves."

"The winning entry was particularly strong," said Ms del Piero. "It is bold and creative, uses a range of media to good effect and really reflects what kids see in their communities."

“The Census paints a picture of Australian communities,” said Andrew Henderson. “Melbourne’s tram system is iconic throughout Australia,” said Mr Henderson, “so the competition highlights both the way in which the Census shows what is unique about the people of Melbourne as well as the way it is used to plan services like public transport.”

As well as seeing their artwork travelling the streets of Melbourne, the winning entry will be printed on t-shirts which will form part of a prize pack for each student in the class.

The artwork will hit the streets in mid-July and a special presentation for the students is planned for the 18 July.

For more information email iain.sutherland@abs.gov.au