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MEDIA RELEASE
BRINGING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS
Students express idealism & hope in national essay & visual
competition.
September 2008
Two engineering students have scooped the pool in a national
competition that invited university students to contribute their
proposals to help
Australia
“grow together in harmony”.
In his winning essay for the “Advancing Australia Fairly”
competition, Cameron Burns, an undergraduate student at Curtin
University of Technology, called for change in the way all
Australians treat people from other cultures.
He emphasised the importance of curricula and cultural programs at
the school level, arguing “the school yard is a significant factor
in developing children’s minds.”
He said there should be a broader depiction of “typical” Australians
in media and advertising; greater engagement of religious leaders in
addressing problems in society; and education programs for new
arrivals emphasising English language, Australian social systems and
customs.
Family Justice, Peter Rose, one of the judges commented “ It is
inspiring to that there are students who across the breath of
Australia have idealism, hope for the future, and excellent
proposals for a multicultural society which can join hands with
goodwill”.
First prize in the visual section of the competition was awarded to
Damien Dry, an engineering student from the
University of Tasmania.
His
stunning entry depicted the Australian continent as a tree, with
Australians of all backgrounds lovingly tending it at the grass
roots.
“We
were delighted by the depth and breadth of the entries received,”
said Ernie Friedlander OAM, the Chairperson of the project.
“Entries came from every state of Australia, with winners and
runners-up from
New
South Wales,
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia,” Mr
Friedlander said.
“Those from smaller states and institutions particularly shone out.”
The
prize winners will receive their awards of cheques and certificates
at a ceremony to be held at NSW Parliament House on Tuesday 23
September at 3.30 pm. Prizes will be presented by the Hon Barbara
Perry MP, Minister for Local Government and Minister Assisting the
Minister for Health, and Gladys Berejiklian MP, Shadow Minister for
Transport and Shadow Minister for Citizenship.
The
“Advancing Australia Fairly” competition was co-organised by the
Alfred Dreyfus Unit of B’nai B’rith, the Australian Baha’i Community
and the Australian Law Students Association. It was supported by a
wide range of community organisations committed to the ideals of
harmony and the aspirations for a fair, just and united society.
The
competition was sponsored by Meriton and Specialty Fashion Group.
For
more information:
Dr Natalie Mobini, Australian Baha’i Community, (02) 9877 5826 or
0414 603 145or Ernie Friedlander 02 9361 6035 Mob. 0413 112 044 |
