CANBERRANS are being urged to build a scarecrow in their front yard in time to celebrate Father’s Day.

The scarecrow initiative  was sparked by the organiser of the Weston Creek Community Council’s Chapman Floriade Community Patch, Simone Hunter, who told  Murrumbidgee MLA Dr Marisa Paterson of her disappointment that the Chapman Patch wouldn’t be able to host the popular Father’s Day Floriade Scarecrow Workshop because of the covid lockdown.

Chair of Weston Creek Community Council,  Bill Gemmell says: “This is a great distraction for kids. It’s a really good opportunity to connect people in what is otherwise a pretty average time just now. It’s a really simple activity for anyone in our community; it’s fun and light-hearted – just what we all need.”

Participants can  incorporate this year’s Floriade theme, “The Future of Flowers” and include futuristic, or robotic elements in their entries.

“This year, we’re starting to see some ‘Where’s Wally’ cut-outs, and why not also build a scarecrow!?” Dr Paterson says, adding that while she had never built a scarecrow before, she was  looking forward to giving it a go in her own front yard with her children next weekend.

Dr Paterson  reminded Canberrans they must not leave their local area to view scarecrows and that the current restrictions allow one hour of exercise a day.

The three winners, as voted by the community, will be announced on Tuesday,  September 14.

Images of Scarecrows can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to the Scarecrow owner’s Facebook page or Instagram account with the hashtag #CBRScarecrow and entries will appear here where community judging will take place, online, September 6-12.  

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