Year 10 students from Goondiwindi State High School tipped the scales with a sunflower weighing in at 1.837kg proving they have mastered the science of growing plants.
The School of Land, Crop and Food Science at The University of Queensland (UQ) hosted the annual Sunflower Competition ‘Weigh-in Day’ yesterday with 280 students attending from 18 High Schools which saw Goondiwindi State High School crowned ‘Grand Champions’.
Goondiwindi teacher Alecia Sutton was proud of her schools achievement.
“After three years competing, it’s great to finally take home the trophy and more importantly be apart of a wonderful opportunity for students to experience a snapshot of university life by taking part in the Weigh-in Day" said Ms Sutton.
2010 proved to a year for budding agriculturalists with record numbers of high schools registering in the competition. Marymount College came second with their sunflower weighing in at 1.608kg and Lockyer District High School took out third place with 1.43kg.
The ‘Weigh-in Day’ provided schools with the opportunity to participate in hands on activities and to hear from experts, industry representatives and current students about agronomy and horticulture.
Chris Bazley, Agricultural and Business Advisor with Pacific Seeds said it was a pleasure to see students from so many schools keen on learning more about sunflowers in particular but agriculture in general.
“The dedication of the students to the task of nurturing their sunflowers showed they were committed and wanted to be involved in a fun and learning project. Many students now see careers in agriculture, including plants as something that is exciting, challenging and rewarding” said Mr Bazley
The competition is sponsored by Pacific Seeds, Australian Sunflower Association, Grains Research Foundation (GRF), Ag Force, and the Queensland Agriculture Teachers Association.
Schools that participated at the ‘Weigh in Day’ included Boonah State High School, Dakabin State High School, Ferny Grove State High School, Goondiwindi State High School, Kimberley College, Kingscliff High School, Livingstone Christian College, Lockyer District High School, MacGregor State High School, Maroochydore State High School, Marymount College, Millmerran State School, Nanango State High School, Oakey State High School, Pittsworth State High School, Stanthorpe State High School, Toowoomba Grammar and Toowoomba State High School.
Media: Erin Pearl (0409 265 587) or Karli Kollegger (0488 780 229).
