Student’s Artwork Wins Defence Competition
Operation Anzac Forces, a competition run by the New Zealand Defence Force as part of Anzac commemorations, was won by 12-year-old, Mikeala Kyle-Bellam.
Mikeala Kyle-Bellam
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae presented Mikeala with a certificate at a prize-giving ceremony at Defence House, on 11 May 2010.
As the first prize winner, Mikeala chose to spend a day with the Air Force. Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott congratulated Mikeala on her success, and excellent choice of Services. Mikeala’s winning entry was chosen from around 600 entries in a competition for Year 7 and 8 students, which aimed to raise awareness of Anzac Day and get students thinking about current Defence Force personnel.
The competition was judged by New Zealand Army Artist Captain Matt Gauldie who said, “Judging the competition was extremely difficult as the entries were so diverse. I chose Mikeala’s entry as the winning one as it is such a strong image that shows a good use of textures.”
LT GEN Mateparae said that the Defence Force has been running a students’ competition since 2007, which provides an interesting way for students to learn about Anzac Day and its connection to the Defence Force today.