Competition Overview
The School Scarecrow Competition supported by Brunnings is a fun way to align Australian Curriculum.
Students are encouraged to create Scarecrows that align with the chosen theme for the year.
The 2024 School Scarecrow competition theme is Banjo Paterson and his iconic Jolly Swagman.
Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was born in Orange on 17 February 1864.
This year, we are celebrating the 160th anniversary of his birth and recognising his significant contributions to Australian literature. Paterson’s poems and stories capture the soul of the Australian bush and its people, providing a window into the life and culture of the country during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Paterson’s depictions of epic adventures in the rugged Australian landscape convey the experiences of early Australians and demonstrate the hardship of the bush. His poetic works create cultural icons and celebrate Australian folklore, like Waltzing Matilda, which is often regarded as the unofficial national anthem. Within his famous bush ballads and stories, he was able to compose eternal characters that were fearless, hard-working, and resilient, the key attributes of the Australian spirit.
Students should base their scarecrow on Banjo Paterson's most iconic character, the Jolly Swagman from Waltzing Matilda. It is encouraged that students delve into Paterson’s poetry, to envision these archetypal characters
