2015 Wangi Scarecrow Competition

In November 2015, the Wangi Area was again overrun by a bunch of varied, innovative, creative, scary scarecrows all made of recycled materials.  Check out these wonderful creations!

Scarecrows were displayed in front gardens for public viewing for two weeks around Wangi Wangi, Buttaba, Myuna Bay, Arcadia Vale, Balmoral, Fishing Point and Rathmines.

The competition culminated in the Wangi Scarecrow Awards Day on 21 November.  Awards were presented for:
Best use of recycled materials

• 1st - Grandma Wangi by Maureen Bishop
  
• 2nd - Surfercrow by Francine Tranter
  
• 3rd - Ming Ming by Drew Garnett
  

Best use of recycled materials, designed and build by children under 13

• 1st - Daisy by Lily Mathews
  
• 2nd-Chillin in the Bin by Callum Prescott
  
• 3rd- Bob by Smith Davies
  

Best use of recycled materials and based on a storybook character

• 1st - Shelob by the Walsh Family
• 2nd - No Ordinary Spider by Emily Milekovich
• 3rd - Room on the Broom by Henry, Justin and Bex Follard
  

Best use of recycled materials, designed and created by a Pre- or Primary School class or group.

• 1st - Lumpy Bubbletoosh by Rathmines Preschool
  
• 2nd - Sweetie by Arcadia Child Care
  
• 3rd - Happy Camper by Wangi Primary School
  

The competition organisers, Wangi Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group, hope to raise funds for the Wangi Primary Community Garden Project.

For more information visit visit www.wangiscarecrowcompetition.blogspot.com.au or www.facebook.com/WangiWangiScarecrowCompetition.

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Wangi Scarecrow Competition, 2014

Winner 2015 Community Event of the Year

We wanted to foster community spirit in our neighbourhood, help promote our group and our Sustainable Living projects, and raise funds for a Wangi Community Garden.  The competition also had potential to bring visitors to the Wangi Area, and create an increase in tourism and sales for local businesses.

Planning and project management
We started out by preparing a management plan, including a competition schedule, entry rules, competition entry forms and an information kit and some guidelines to ensure public and participant safety.

We then went about promoting the competition to get people involved.  Local residents and businesses were encouraged to create scarecrows that reflected the theme, "Living Sustainably through Gardening".
Each entrant paid a $20 fee, and then placed their scarecrows in their front yard in time for the 2 week viewing period.

Sustainable Scarecrows
After all of our planning and ground work, it was exciting to see scarecrows start popping up all around the Wangi Area. 
We created a Scarecrow Trail Map on our website to show where all the scarecrows were located around the neighbourhood.

There's some photos here, but you can go to our blog page for a run down of all the Scarecrow Sightings.

We received significant support from local businesses and organisations through donation of competition prizes, hosting their own scarecrows, and by helping with publicity and other support.  Check out all our great sponsors here.

Awards presentation and community day
Following the 2 week viewing period, and then judging, we held a community day at the Wangi Foreshore to celebrate the competition, and present the awards and prizes.

The Wangi Area community really embraced the scarecrow competition and got involved.  The event enhanced our neighbourhood spirit, and people had so much fun with it.
Residents have told us that they loved seeing the scarecrows pop up everywhere.  And local businesses enjoyed extra visitors to Wangi village who came to see the scarecrows.
We are looking forward to running the scarecrow competition again next year.

Find out more about the Wangi Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group.

So many great scarecrows!
Have a look at some of the scarecrows here, or go to our blog for the full gallery of scarecrows and more information.

First prize winners being presented with their award from Deputy Mayor Wendy Harrison

The winning scarecrow - 'Sleeping on the job', by Kerry Evans

Second prize winner - 'Scallywag', by Kristi Blake

Third prize winner - 'Digger', by Harry Choi