By Denise Deason
FIVE-YEAR-OLD Olivia Wood won an Encouragement Prize in the Wyndham Arts Awards last week.
Olivia’s work, My Fantasy Garden, was deemed most worthy of the title in the five to 12 years category, much to the delight of her proud parents, Phil and Lisa Wood.
Also in this category, Allison Zammit won the Highly Commended award for a single artwork and Duain Kelaart won the Highly Commended award for a collection of artworks.
In the 13 to 18 year category, Tess Haveaux won Highly Commended, single artwork, Lucas Dean won Highly Commended, collection of artworks, and Ryan Hudson won the Encouragement award.
All winners received a trophy.
The annual event is part of the Cultural Encouragement Awards, which celebrate the artistic and cultural achievements of young people in Wyndham.
Mayor Shane Bourke said the awards provided a platform to showcase the talents of young people.
“The event rewards and encourages young artists to further develop their skills,” he said.
The awards were sponsored by 3AW 693.
Phil Wood, who works for the National Australia Bank, said Olivia was the artistic one in the family.
“Olivia is so happy about her win,” he said.
“She took her trophy to school the following day for show-and-tell.
“She also won $40 and she says she just wants more paints and art supplies.”
left: Olivia Wood, Duain Kelaart,
Tess Haveaux, mayor Shane
Bourke, and Allison Zammitt.
Back row: Lucas Dean, Ryan
Hudson, and sponsor
representatives Graham Mott
from Magic 1278 and Gary
Hoffman from Southern Cross
Broadcasting.
Pictures: JOSEPHINEHARKIN.
