Last year, Trent (TJ) Saunders, while attending Karuah Public School, entered an art competition.

This year, TJ, who is a Year 7 student at Bulahdelah Central School now, was notified that his entry won.

The school explained that his artwork shows a creative use of colour, pattern and technique.

He has created a painting focusing on indigenous elements.

This winning artwork will be used in the advertising for Relationships Australia, which will be included in their pamphlets and other promotional material.

Relationships Australia is a non-for-profit, community-based organization.

It is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.

The Hunter Branch of Relationships Australia were the ones who chose TJ as the winner.

The Aboriginal Reference Group unanimously decided on the artwork as they have a commitment to engage with the Aboriginal community in the Hunter area and TJ’s design was appropriate for this purpose.

A spokesperson for Relationship Australia commented that TJ’s artwork jumps off the page and it will be published in the new brochures advertising the company.

There is a framed copy of the artwork in the Relationships Australia Hunter office and TJ was presented by a Relationships Australia representative at Karuah Public School on Friday 29 May with prize money and a copy of a brochure showing him how his artwork was utilised.

See the artwork online at www.newsofthearea.com.au