Federal Member for Riverina can't resist a pun in choosing a winner for Christmas card competition

First Place: Edith Cannon, 7, Year Two, St Joseph’s Parish School, Peak Hill. Image: Supplied.

Riverina MP Michael McCormack has announced the winners of his 10th annual Christmas card design competition with the theme, “Christmas in my Back Yard”.

Seven-year-old Edith Cannon from St Joseph’s Parish School in Peak Hill produced the winning design, with her beautiful drawing of a koala with a candy cane, a line of presents, a tree and an elf on the shelf.

“Have a koala-ty Christmas!” the message reads.

In picking a winner, the former newspaper editor said he couldn’t go past a bit of wordplay.

“All those who submitted an entry will receive a certificate to recognise their efforts in this year’s competition,” Mr McCormack said.

“Edith’s winning entry captured an Australiana Christmas – and the judges couldn’t go past a fantastic pun!”

Six-year-old Isaac Symonds from St Raphael’s Catholic School in Cowra was the runner-up, while eight-year-old Jed Liebich from Grenfell Public School claimed the third prize.

Runner-up: Isaac Symons, 6, Kindergarten, St Raphael’s Catholic School, Cowra. Image: Supplied.

More than 1700 students from Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two entered from schools across the Riverina and Central West.

“The three winning entries have each received a commemorative book prize,” Mr McCormack said.

“Thank you to each student who submitted an entry and thanks to the Riverina electorate’s hardworking schoolteachers and staff for supporting the competition each year.”

Third Place: Jed Liebich, 8, Year Two, Grenfell Public School. Image: Supplied.

The three winning designs are featured on Mr McCormack’s 2023 Christmas card, which is sent out to community members and political colleagues.

“It is always a delight to look at all the competition entries arriving in the office and to be reminded of what a magical time of year this is for children across the Riverina and Central West,” he said.

The Member for Riverina visited each of the winning entrants’ schools and presented the prizewinners with their book and certificate.