Children from throughout the South West have shared their thoughts in a creative project to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Western Australia establishing a Commissioner for Children and Young People.
The We Are 10 project involved Year 4 students from across WA who created artworks and wrote a short statement on what was important to them, what concerned them and their views on life as they grow up in WA.
Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit said it was fitting to mark the anniversary with the thoughts and hopes of thousands of young people, born the same year as the office was established.
“I received 528 responses from South West 10 year-olds, with many saying they participated in a wide range of leisure activities and greatly valued time spent outdoors with their family,” he said.
South West children valued their growing independence, animals and the natural environment were also very important, with many children saying they enjoyed spending time watching sunsets and being near the ocean.
The South West was also one of only two regions where ‘family’ was the second most prominent theme.
Mr Pettit thanked all the students and their teachers who supported the We Are 10 project and encouraged all West Australians to visit the exhibitions or view the artworks online to see life through the eyes of a 10-year-old.
We Are 10 artworks are being exhibited at the State Library of Western Australia and on the large screen in the Perth Cultural Centre during the summer school holidays.
Local displays are also be exhibited in Bunbury, Busselton, Albany, Manjimup, Boyup Brook and Harvey.