An ACAP Cartoon Competition for World Albatross Day 2023? The Australian Antarctic Division takes the lead

The winning entry by Kyle Travers

The Australian Antarctic Division has been an active supporter of World Albatross Day since its inception in 2020, with banners, games, and this year, cartoons, as well as a new banner.

Climate Change.  Ross the cross albatross says “This is the real albatross around our necks”
Second place went to Rhonda Bartley

Jonathon Barrington of the Australian Antarctic Division (and Australia’s National Contact Point for ACAP) wrote to ACAP Latest News shortly after World Albatross Day 2022 on 19 June: “We thought a lot about raising awareness of the 2022 World Albatross Day, 19 June 2022 and theme for this year’s World Albatross Day of Climate Change.  At the AAD we ran a little cartoon competition.  We also held a morning tea and banner photo opportunity last Thursday, 16 June 2022.  The AAD Climate Change Cartoon Competition received a modest number of entries … from … talented cartoonists.  The prize winners were announced during the morning tea.”

The five cartoons came from Kyle Travers (judged the winner), Rhonda Bartley (second place) and Leonie and Patrick Suter (commendation), all illustrated here, and from Vanessa Hollister and Kerry Steinburner.

Leonie and Patrick Suter’s cartoon received a commendation

Jonathon continued “We were delighted with the artistry, inventiveness, and diversity of the Climate Change Cartoons received for the 2022 World Albatross Day.”  He remarks that the cartons might inspire others to run a cartoon competition in future years.  Certainly, ACAP will take this into consideration as it starts to think about a theme and associated activities and products for “WAD2023” later this year.  Never too early to start!

Not to be outdone, Tasmania Park and Wildlife Service rangers Jarrod Hodgson and Andrea Turbett based on Australia’s sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island constructed a life-sized Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans sculpture out of wood for World Albatross Day, naming her Barbara (click here).

With thanks to Jonathon Barrington and Jaimie Cleeland, Australian Antarctic Division.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 07 July 2022