2008 Youth for Human Rights Art Competition Winner visits the United Nations in New York!

Ashley Parenzee from South Oakleigh College in Victoria was the 1st prize winner of the 2008 YHR Art Competition. Congratulations Ashley!

Ashley was awarded his prize at the Exhibition opening in Dec 2008 at Ho Gallery in St Kilda, for a trip for two to New York to visit the United Nations. The competition was judged by professional artists Christopher Seater and Peter Ferrier.

Ashley flew to New York in September 2009 accompanied by his mother Bronwyn, to visit the United Nations. Escorted by representatives from Youth for Human Rights International, they were given a personalised tour of the United Nations by Jessica Daly, a member of the Australian Mission to the United Nations based in New York.

The group first met with the Deputy Permanent Representative Australian Ambassador, Andrew Goledinowski, he congratulated Ashley on his achievement of winning first prize with his artwork, a sculpture of a ball and chain, representing abolishment of slavery.

The group was then escorted to meet the Deputy Director for the New York office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Craig Mokhiber who also extended his congratulations to Ashley. Mr Mokhiber discussed their mission and the fact that there were 1300 Australians around the world working to secure human rights for all.

Ashley and Bronwyn enjoyed their trip to the UN and learnt more about the subject of Human Rights and the work being done around the world. They left the UN to spend the next few weeks holidaying and sightseeing in the United States.

We’d like to also acknowledge our winner’s art teacher Poppi O’Connor of South Oakleigh College, who encouraged her students to enter the competition and to personally explore the subject of Human Rights through their artwork. We would also like to acknowledge all the other winners and their teachers of the various categories and all students and their teachers who participated in the 2008 art competition.

Many thanks are extended to our Sponsors for their valuable support in furthering the education of our Youth in the subject of Human Rights. In particular special thanks to the following sponsors and contributors:

Chris Seater – Seater Design for competition artwork & design
Chris Seater & Melinda Coyne of Ho gallery
Chris and Marie Lucas at Hello Hello Garden Nurseries
Carl Neumann and the AusMarketing.com team

With a special acknowledgment to the founder of this competition Joanne Oxenbould whose ideas and inspiration made this possible.

We look forward to seeing the entries for the 2009 Youth for Human Rights Victoria Art Competition.

Warm Regards,

Anna Curnuck
Youth for Human Rights Victoria
State Coordinator

Mobile:0418 525 864
Email: anna.curnuck@youthforhumanrights.org.au
Website: www.youthforhumanrights.org.au