Aberdeen Public School student proposes "National PJ Day"

Patrick Magner of St Joseph’s Primary School in Merriwa was chosen as ‘Deputy Mayor’.

Two hundred and eighty primary school children from across the Upper Hunter Shire submitted ideas of what they would do as ‘Mayor for a Day’.

Proposals included helping the homeless, fixing roads, cleaning up rubbish, and more playgrounds were popular.

This year younger students from Kindergarten to Year 2 were able to enter a juniors competition by designing a postcard about a special place in the Shire.

Entries included farms, rivers, horse studs and skate parks.

The individual winners from each school had the opportunity to read out their written entries at last night’s meeting in front of councillors, families and friends.

Charlotte’s winning entry promised new play equipment, footy fields, bike tracks and skate parks, a basketball contest, weekend markets, clean up days and more school shops.

She also proposed a “National PJ Day” when it rains and you stay home and watch movies, and “a telescope area to see the stars on special occasions”.

‘Mayor for a Day’ School winners 2016:

Jack Teague – Blandford Public School;

Indi Welsh – Scone Public School;

Tori Hardes – St Mary’s Primary School;

Prunella Hayes – Scone Grammar School.

‘Junior Mayor for a Day’ School winners 2016:

Wills Mulligan – St Joseph’s Primary School;

Emily McMahon – Aberdeen Public School.

Council congratulated all the children who entered ‘Mayor for a Day’ for their thoughts about how to improve their community.

The ‘Mayor for a Day’ competition is held in partnership with Upper Hunter schools as part of NSW Local Government Week, to encourage students to learn more about their Council and how to have their views heard.

The competition encourages children to think about their community, the type of services Council provides and to take an interest in local government. 

All participants in ‘Mayor for a Day’ received a certificate of appreciation.