Golden Paw alights on Phascogale
By Carmen Welss
PR Manager, Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

This spring, hundreds of children’s drawings filled the office of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, piling up slowly before finally taking up every square centimetre of floor space.

Entries for the Golden Paw Award came from all over the state, but even eight-hour car trips could not stop the finalists from attending the award ceremony at the Australian Museum in Sydney.

The major prize in the Foundation’s annual Threatened Species Drawing Competition recognises the student who creates the best coloured drawing of a threatened Australian animal.

Golden Paw winners appear on TV: Channel 10's Tim Bailey broadcasts the weather from the Golden Paw Exhibition at the Australian Museum. Photo Carmen Welss FNPW

With stacks of over 1,000 entries to choose from, the jury’s task was not an easy one. Threatened species scientists from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, pencil experts from STAEDTLER Australia and representatives from the Art Gallery of NSW spent hours viewing and discussing entries before agreeing on the winning pictures.

Out of the hundreds of entries, the jury finally chose nine. They met all criteria and showed a particular care for the animal while displaying significant artistic merit.

On September 23 Foundation President Gillis Broinowski ended the weeks of eager anticipation and announced the winners of the Golden Paw Award 2003:

Golden Paw Winners meet: Alexander Brooks, winner of the Golden Paw Award 2002 passes the perpetual trophy on to this year's winner Rachel Kneller. Photo Debrah Holland DEC

Leonie Gale, Executive Officer of the Foundation commented: ”I am always glad that no Foundation staff have to make this decision. I just couldn’t choose a winner because all the pictures are just fantastic. The children pick the most unusual animals – who knows for example what the Brush-tailed Phascogale looks like?”

Gillis Broinowski, Foundation President, told the audience: “By drawing these animals children can do a lot for the protection of our threatened species. They can show others why these animals are special and need our help. The children’s drawings show everyone what they look like, so that people recognise them. If people keep their eyes open for our threatened animals and tell us where they can found, then we can protect these species in their natural habitat.”

Besides the trophies and medals there were also STAEDTLER pencils, Museum Passes, National Parks Discovery Tours and Nature Australia Magazine subscriptions to be won. We offer a big thank you to these sponsors who donated prizes and made this an even greater success.

And thanks to all children, teachers and parents who were part of this year’s Golden Paw Award. Not everyone can win a prize, but through your effort and your care you make our threatened animals winners.

Keep up the good work!

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