Ashburton District Council’s Welcoming Communities programme and Safer Mid Canterbury’s Refugee Settlement Support Service are calling on the district's creative kids (aged 8-12 years-old) to design a welcoming poster to mark World Refugee Day on June 20 2020.

The poster competition is being promoted to acknowledge the important role refugees will play in the Ashburton District despite their arrival being postponed due to COVID-19.

“Before COVID-19 hit, our first refugees were due to arrive on June 19, the day before World Refugee Day. But because of COVID-19, their arrival has now been delayed," says Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan.

"This poster competition is a creative way of refreshing our thoughts, remembering the plight of millions of refugees across the globe and the role Ashburton will play as a home for some of these families in the future.”

Children’s submitted designs will be displayed at Ashburton Public Library. Deputy Mayor McMillan will select the winner and runners up of the poster competition on Friday June 12.

The winning young artist will receive a $100 Warehouse voucher provided by the Refugee Settlement Support Service. Their winning design will be made into the official poster for the Ashburton District.

The poster competition is also being promoted by primary and intermediate schools in the district as well as the Ashburton Museum and the Hakatere Multicultural Council.

Children can submit an A4 size poster along with their name and contact details with the theme of 'Welcome to Ashburton, World Refugees' to Kathy from Safer Mid Canterbury, based at Community House Mid Canterbury, 44 Cass Street before Thursday June 11 or digital (hi-resolution) email to kathy.harrington-watt@safermidcanterbury.org.nz.

For further information about the competition, contact Kathy Harrington-Watt on 027 296 0003.​