Threatened Species Art and Writing Competition

Award winners for the 2025 competition have now been announced! 

About the competition

The Macarthur region, our backyard, is home to a wide diversity of native plants and animals. Many of these plants and animals are affected by a range of impacts such as habitat loss, competition and predation from non-native species and foreign diseases. There are a range of species occurring within the local region that are at risk of extinction and have been listed as ‘Threatened Species.’

The TSAC is a regional environmental education program, run every year, involving Camden Council, Campbelltown City Council, and Wollondilly Shire Council. The competition raises awareness of Biodiversity Month (September) and National Threatened Species Day on 7 September.

The competition targets all stages of primary school (age groups: 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12) and is also open to youth aged 13-16. TSAC encourages students to learn about a local threatened species and represent it in an artwork or creative writing piece.

The competition is now in its 18th year and through its cross-curricula nature has been successfully engaging students in Geography, Science, Visual Arts and English throughout the Macarthur region.

2025 Camden Award Recipients:

Artwork Award Winners 
5 - 6 years 

1st 

 Skyler M (Painted Honeyeater)

2nd 

Blake M (Koala)
7 - 9 years 
2nd 

Bella I (Swift Parrot)
3rd 

Beth W (Koala)
Highly Commended

Keaton H (Cumberland Plain Land Snail)
10 - 12 years
1st 

Jasmine K (Cumberland Plain Land Snail)
2nd 

Anastasia Y (Swift Parrot) 
3rd 

Abigail W (Broad-headed Snake)
Highly Commended

Aidan H (Scarlet Robin)
Highly Commended

Raymond D (Pilot Bird)
13 - 16 years 
1st 

Ruixi H (Giant Burrowing Frog)
2nd 

Chanel C (Gang-gang Cockatoo)
Creative Writing Award Winners
8 - 12 years
1st 

Harvey S (Gang-gang Cockatoo)
2nd 

Matilda D (Swift Parrot
3rd 

Anika B (Koala)
Highly Commended

Logan C (Gang-gang Cockatoo)
13 - 18 years 
1st 

Joveena E (Speckled Warbler) 
2nd 

Patrick S (Camden White Gum)
3rd 

Asnika S (Giant Burrowing Frog) 

How can your school become a haven for native flora and fauna?

There are many ways that you can help your school to become a haven for native flora and fauna, by

  • designing a native garden for your school- Identify some local plant species that could be planted to attract wildlife 
  • removing known weed species from your garden and replacing them with local native plants 
  • leaving dead wood, leaf litter and rocks in the bush that animals can use as a shelter or for foraging for food 
  • joining a community group, such as a local Bushcare group 
  • setting up your own eco-warrior team at school.

As you develop your haven for native flora and fauna, keep Camden Council updated! We are always excited to see what positive steps people are taking towards protection of our native and threated species. 

For more information about the TSAC contact Camden Council’s Natural Resource Officer on 13 22 63 or email sustainability@camden.nsw.gov.au