YOUNG TOWNSVILLE ARTISTS SLEIGH FESTIVE FLAG COMPETITION

Ivy Cox is one of 20 up and coming artists who will soon see their original works billowing on Townsville’s festive flags.

The flags are being hoisted around the city to mark the start of the festive season in tropical Townsville.

The nine-year-old Oonoonba State School student said she was thrilled to have her design chosen from a slew of submissions.

“It felt great (to be selected), because I was surprised to win because of the overwhelming response and I won out of a lot of people,” Ivy said.

“I’m very excited. I’ll show my family and friends what I did and tell them about my design.”

Ivy said she was already deciding how she wanted to celebrate Christmas this year.

“I really like Christmas, to me it’s all about spending time with family and friends. We buy presents for everyone, and we sometimes have holidays with my grandma and granddad in Mareeba and we do lots of crafts,” she said.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said she was incredibly proud of each young artist’s effort.

“Each year I look forward to seeing the interesting and inventive designs from our festive flag winners, and this year has been no different. Children’s imaginations are spectacular and I can’t wait to see each festive flag flying high across Townsville this Christmas,” Cr Greaney said.

To find out more about how Townsville City Council is celebrating Christmas, head to Council’s website.