Children pamper calves, learn about farm life
From August each year a special group of 'helpers' descend on Julie and Brian Pirie's farm at Ngatea in the Hauraki Plains.
LIC communications manager Clare Bayly says it wasn’t easy to identify the winners. The winning school received Apple iPads.
“We had many fantastic entries and LIC staff enjoyed choosing the winners. A number of schools had 100% participation. It was great to see so many children’s calves in their own work of art, showing the tradition of Calf Club is alive in many communities.
“When we presented the iPads to Otamarakau School (near Te Puke), they were over the moon. They deserved it; their innovative artwork wowed everyone.”
Otamarakau’s 46 pupils each transformed an old shoe or boot into a cow head with paper mache, paint, glitter, lace, etc. Each class chose a theme: rugby, crazy and Friesian cows.
LIC chose iPads as prizes because of its
support of the government rural broadband initiative. The prize was awarded by Rob Ford, farm systems general manager and a member of the
government advisory board.
Voting has begun (www.calfclub.co.nz) for public choice of an overall winner.
The prize is a Stallion mobile calf feeder (value $3900).
Voting closes Friday November 4. In contest is artwork by schools at Ngaruawahia, Whitikahu and Christchurch.
Each year LIC invites rural schools to register their calf club event at www.calfclub.co.nz, and use information on the website about the selection, training and showing calves.
This year, LIC also re-launched its www.calfclub.co.nz art competition for rural children.
