Gem of a girl

IT was a beaming Gemma Refalo who coloured her way to first place in the 2007 "Illawarra Back to School Road Safety Challenge" colouring in competition.

The 10 year old from Nazareth Catholic Primary School at Blackbutt was one of thousands who entered the competition.

Four designs were printed in a local newspaper during the first month of school.

The designs illustrated important messages including 40 km school zones, pedestrian safety, passenger safety, wearing seatbelts and wearing a helmet when riding a bike, rollerblading or skateboarding.

Council's Road Safety Officer Jenny Davies said the competition was run by collaboratively with Wollongong and Kiama Councils as part of regional approach to school road safety and attracted almost 2000 entrants from primary schools throughout the Illawarra.

"The quality of the entries were outstanding and they left judges deliberating for hours. It was terrific to see such a great response to our Back to School Road Safety Challenge and we're confident that the safety message has been reinforced in a fun and positive way," she said.

Gemma's win saw her take home a $300 gift voucher courtesy of Wilson's Bike Hub, on the Princes Hwy in Albion Park.

She already has her eye on a very spunky pink bike!

Other winners were six year old Rebecca Ryan-Brown in second place and seven year old Byron Lye came in third.

For her outstanding effort Rebecca won a family pass to Taronga Park Zoo

Byron Lye is set to enjoy a Family pass to Jamberoo Action Park.

"Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the schools of the Illawarra for their continued support of this very important road safety initiative," Ms Davies said. Council would like to thank sponsors Wilson's Bikes, Taronga Park Zoo and Jamberoo Action Park.