- Rugby league legend and Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston will return to school later this year to visit the winner of the 2023 Get Ready Queensland School Competition.
- JT, the Get Ready Queensland team and emergency services officers will talk with students at St Joseph's Wandal near Rockhampton about local weather risks and how to prepare for disasters.
- The Get Ready Queensland School Competition helps children learn about the impacts of extreme weather and how to Get Ready in a creative and fun way.
Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston will return to school later this year to visit the winners of the fourth annual Get Ready Queensland School Competition.
Students at St Joseph's Wandal, will get to rub shoulders with the footy legend while learning about local weather risks and how themselves and their families can prepare at home.
More than 560 students from 19 schools across Queensland took part in this year's competition.
The Get Ready Queensland School Competition helps children learn in a creative and fun way about the impacts of extreme weather and how to Get Ready for them.
Classrooms select from a range of activities, designed for all year levels and aligned to the Australian Curriculum, with one lucky school receiving a visit from Johnathan Thurston following a random draw of all competition entries.
The Get Ready Queensland program is managed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the state's lead agency for disaster resilience and recovery, and is sponsored by Suncorp with support from retail partner IGA.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and minister responsible for the QRA Steven Miles:
"Queensland is the most disaster affected state in Australia, so getting our children talking about the importance of preparing for extreme weather is one of the best lessons they could have," Mr Miles said.
"The value of spreading the Get Ready message with young Queenslanders can't be overstated, and because of this competition more kids now know the 3 Steps to Get Ready: understand your risk, have a plan, pack an emergency kit.
"All students who took part this year can be proud of the way they embraced the opportunity to educate themselves in a fun and engaging way about the importance of getting ready.
Quotes attributable to the Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke:
"The Get Ready Queensland School Competition is a great opportunity for students to learn all about local weather risks, and the important steps that can be taken to prepare.
"Thanks to the schools, teachers and children for their enthusiastic and ongoing support of the Get Ready program and their involvement in the competition, and congratulations to our winning school this year, St Joseph's Wandal."
Quotes attributable to Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston:
"As program ambassador, the Get Ready Queensland School Competition is one of my favourite parts of the year," Mr Thurston said.
"I see how valuable it is to get young Queenslanders thinking about preparing for the extreme weather we see in Queensland.
"During my visits to the winning schools I have been struck by how invested the students are in making sure themselves and their families have the best chance of staying safe and comfortable during floods, bushfires, cyclones and storms.
"Full credit to the students and their teachers, and I'm looking forward to visiting Rockhampton to chat with St Joseph's Wandal about how to Get Ready."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd):
"The Get Ready program is a key element of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority's charter to create stronger, safer, more resilient Queensland communities," Mr Ellwood said.
"As an important part of the program, the Get Ready Queensland School Competition supports children and families to better understand disaster risk and ways to prepare for extreme weather.
"A recent survey by the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience identified young people want to learn more about local disaster risks likely to impact them and are curious about what they can do to stay safe in a disaster.
"It's crucial we're helping them gain this knowledge through Get Ready Queensland."
Quotes attributable to St Joseph's Wandal, Rockhampton Principal Bernadette Brennan:
"The Get Ready program goes hand in glove with one of our school's key values to develop in each child: a sense of respect and responsibility towards themselves, other people and the environment," Mrs Brennan said.
"As Rockhampton is often impacted by natural disasters, there is enormous benefit in teaching our students about preparing for and staying safe during extreme weather events.
"We look forward to Johnathan Thurston's visit and welcome the opportunity that will bring to furthering students' understanding of resilience and the need to Get Ready."
