Year 6 student Janelle Quek‘s artwork will be enjoyed by shoppers across Australia after winning the 2019 Coles Art Bag Competition. 

Of eight winners across Australia, the Orana Catholic Primary School student was the only Western Australian, and received a plaque, $5000 for her school and $500 for herself. 

Janelle’s design will feature on chiller bags to be sold at Coles next year for $2.50, with 25c from every sale donated to charity SecondBite. 

A talented artist already exhibited at Riverton LeisurePlex, Janelle is part of Orana’s Skills for Life group and works with an Education Assistant every day.  

Her award-winning design features the Matagarup Bridge and references the work of Aboriginal artist Jimmy Pike. 

“This is my favourite place,” she said.   

“I like the city and I like black swans, I put a baby swan in my picture too. 

“I really like drawing.” 

Art teacher Jodie Harrold said Janelle created the piece using digital art platform Artstudio, telling her story with symbolic imagery, her colour choices reflecting real life scenes using a picture.   

“Janelle is skilled at choosing warm and cool colours that work in harmony,” she said. 

Assistant Principal Emma Bell said the entire school community was proud of Janelle and what she has achieved.   

“Janelle working independently at such tasks brings joy to us as a school community, but more importantly it brings joy to her family and extended family,” Ms Bell said.   

“We are humbled to see how much she has developed while in our care at Orana.” 

Ms Bell said student interest and passion was used as a driver in learning at the school. 

“We are aware of the students seeing all they do as purposeful and connected with themselves, their community and the wider world,” she said. 

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