Port and South Hedland students' favourite things about airports are now proudly on display at Port Hedland International Airport, with art and story competition winners officially unveiling their artwork today.
Students were joined at the big unveiling by Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett, Councillors and competition sponsors Qantas, Harvey World Travel South Hedland and the North West Telegraph.
The event was also attended by Brett Reiss, the Town of Port Hedland's newly-appointed Program Director, Airport Redevelopment, who began in his new role on 20 May 2013.
Mayor Howlett said that the artwork presented a colourful glimpse into the students' favourite things about airports.
"I am so proud of our students and the wonderful artwork they created as part of this competition.
"Our town's creative talent is now proudly on display for our community, travelers and tourists to see. It provides a fitting welcome for passengers arriving at our airport, and it is a reflection of the creativity and imagination of our community's youth," she said.
"It is also a very appropriate prelude to the upcoming airport redevelopment, which will transform our airport into a modern and welcoming gateway to Port Hedland and the Pilbara."
All artwork entered in the competition is on display at four locations at the airport - both interior and exterior locations - ensuring that whether people are arriving, departing or picking up/dropping off passengers, they will see the vibrant artwork.
"We received an outstanding 222 art and story entries in the competition, and awarded nine students, based on their entries' creativity, interest, use of colour and relationship to the theme 'My Favourite Thing about Airports,' Mayor Howlett said.
Mayor Howlett also thanked both participants and sponsors for making the first-ever Port Hedland International Airport Art & Story Competition such a resounding success.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for putting in such time and creativity into their entries. It really was a remarkable effort and all students should feel very proud of their entries.
"The Town also would like to thank the competition co-sponsors - Qantas, Harvey World Travel and the North West Telegraph - for their contributions."
The winning students at the unveiling received a commemorative bag with a Town of Port Hedland luggage tag, Qantas cap, drink bottle and notepad.
For more information, and to view all the competition entries, please visit the airport website: www.porthedlandairport.com.au
The Port Hedland International Airport is embarking on a major redevelopment, with Council allocating a total of $70.5 million over the next five years to the project.