The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, on behalf of the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education:

Government Mail Will Feature Stamp Designed By Student

Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform this House that, earlier today, on behalf of the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, I had the great pleasure of making a presentation to the winner of the Provincial Government’s postage meter stamp design contest, which was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Last month we challenged Grade 4 students in school districts throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to come up with a postage meter message to acknowledge Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The winning image, Mr. Speaker, will be placed on all Provincial Government outgoing mail for the remainder of 2012.

We chose Grade 4 students, Mr. Speaker, because it is at this level that our students are introduced to the relationship between the British monarchy and Canada as part of the social studies curriculum. They study Canadian symbols, such as Canada’s Coat of Arms, and the history of Britain in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Canada. This contest was designed to enhance our students’ awareness of this aspect of our history, and our democracy, and to let them be part of the activities marking this significant event in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

In fact, this contest is one of a series of activities being held this year to honour Her Majesty for a lifetime of dedication to public service. For example, last month there was a ceremonial shrub planting here at the Confederation Building and, as you may know, two Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee congratulatory message books have been touring the province for the past several weeks. They will be delivered to Buckingham Palace in January 2013.

Mr. Speaker, allow me this opportunity to thank all the students and teachers who participated in the contest. There were many terrific submissions from all over the province. But in the end, there had to be a winner – and that winner was Karlie Pinsent, a student at Greenwood Academy in Campbellton.

My colleagues can see the design depicted below on their copies of this statement, as well as the envelopes featuring the new stamp. It will also be available for viewing online. Mr. Speaker, Karlie and her family are in the Speaker’s Gallery today, a place reserved for very special guests. I invite all members of the House to join me in congratulating her, and thanking her, for coming up with this special postage meter design.

Photo 1: The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, joined Karlie Pinsent, a Grade 4 student at Greenwood Academy in Campbellton, at a ceremony this morning (Monday, June 4) marking the unveiling of her winning entry in the Provincial Government’s postage meter stamp design contest. The contest was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Photo 2: Postage Meter Stamp Design

2012 06 04             2:00 p.m.