Shepparton Christian College Year 6 student Gabrielle Ballarbare and Year 5 student Sarah Holland with their awards.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
One winning entry was printed on toilet paper, the other on glossy pages.
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Regardless, both earned Shepparton Christian College students Gabrielle Ballarbare and Sarah Holland another slice of A4: a certificate.
At a special assembly on Thursday, November 6, the two young creatives were honoured for their achievements in separate community competitions that celebrated learning and local talent.
Year 6 student Gabrielle took home a major prize in Goulburn Valley Water’s Don’t Flush It! competition, held during National Water Week from October 21 to 27.
Shepparton Christian College Year 6 student Gabrielle Ballarbare with her award-winning design printed on toilet paper rolls.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The program encouraged students to think about what should and shouldn’t be flushed down toilets, and to express that message through art.
“We were given strips of paper and had to draw a design on it that says not to flush some things,” Gabrielle said.
Her winning illustration featured a quirky mix of items — tampons, a dead fish, cell phones, toys, pads, and a glass vase — with a small corner dedicated to what can be flushed.
Gabrielle admitted she felt “mostly nervous” about stepping onto the stage and receiving her certificate from GVW manager of digital operations Ryan McGowan.
“I still feel like I have butterflies in my stomach,” she said with a shy laugh.
Goulburn Valley Water manager of digital operations Ryan McGowan with Shepparton Christian College Year 6 student Gabrielle Ballarbare, the competition winner, and head of primary Ryan Stone.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Don’t Flush It! competition attracted 4684 student entries from across the Goulburn Valley, with four overall winners.
Their designs will be printed on rolls of toilet paper distributed at public events, spreading the water-saving message in an eye-catching way.
The four winning designs from Goulburn Valley Water’s competition printed on rolls of toilet paper.
Meanwhile, Year 5 student Sarah was named the overall winner of Greater Shepparton City Council’s annual Storybook Writing Competition for her story, Four Seasons.
“I like learning about the seasons, and I like the change in them — the way that God created them,” she said.
“Autumn is my favourite season.”
Shepparton Christian College Year 5 student Sarah Holland received the Year 5/6 Storybook Writing Competition award from City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Sarah’s story, selected from 33 finalists representing 14 local schools, was presented with her award by City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
However, the true reward lies ahead.
Four Seasons will be professionally printed and given to every three-and-a-half-year-old at their next Maternal and Child Health appointment.
As the winning school, Shepparton Christian College also received a voucher to purchase new library books — a fitting bonus for a school clearly brimming with young storytellers and artists.
The school’s Storybook Writing Competition finalists Year 6 Natalie Mangunda and Year 5’s Christa Jomon, Upenya Jayaweera, Genevive Jo, and Sarah Holland (winner), with City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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