Local children are being encouraged to get their creativity flowing and brush up on what reconciliation means to them in the City of Canterbury Bankstown’s Reconciliation Week Art Competition.

To celebrate National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), the art competition is open to school children aged 4-17 years, with prizes worth more than $50 to be won.

Participants must creatively show what Reconciliation means to them or incorporate the 2024 Reconciliation Week theme “Now More Than Ever!” into their artwork, for their chance to win an art pack, gift card or book.

Local Darug Elder Aunty Lyn Martin, president of the Bankstown Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), said Reconciliation Week is a time for all nationalities to come together, learn about each other and be at peace.

“It is important that people learn about the First Nations history and culture,” Ms Martin said.

Ms Martin said the art competition is a good learning tool for children to get involved at an early age.

“Art is fun and kids like to draw, they like to paint and they like to tell their own story,” she said.

“While they are doing that, they are asking questions and their teachers are giving them that information.”

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said last year’s competition was a huge success.

“We were overwhelmed by the response and it was great to see so many young people get involved,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“We all have a role to play in reconciliation and, now more than ever, we must be empowering our next generation to be engaged.”

Entries for the Reconciliation Week art competition are open until Friday 17 May.

Winners will be announced on Friday 24 May via Council’s social media platforms and the winning artworks will be on display at the Bankstown Arts Centre from Saturday 27 May.

For more information or to enter the competition, visit cb.city/NRWArtComp