Draw it. Paint it. Design it your way!
Our annual National Water Week Poster Competition is now open for 2026.
This year, East Gippsland students from kinder age right through to Year Eight are invited to enter for a chance to win some great prizes. In addition, the early learning/kindergarten category this year includes the opportunity to submit both individual and collaborative entries.
The theme for this year’s poster competition is ‘Water heroes: make every drop count’, which encourages students to explore ideas around the importance of water conservation in a changing climate. Posters can be made in A4 or A3 size, using any art material or digital technology (excluding any AI-generated elements).
Judging
Winners of the early learning/kindergarten and primary school categories will be chosen by:
• How well the poster communicates the NWW theme and/or relevant issues
• Visual impact: how well the poster grabs attention and communicates from a distance
• Effective and purposeful use of art materials, innovation, creativity and originality.
Winners of the new secondary school category will be chosen by the same criteria, while also placing an additional emphasis on posters that display:
• A distinctive personal voice that moves beyond predictable or copied ideas
• Accuracy of information – so that any facts, statistics, or messages presented are correct, appropriate, and relevant to water issues.
Prizes will be awarded for first and second-place winners in the early learning/kindergarten categories, and first to third in each of the other categories, which are: Years 1-2, Years 3-4, Years 5-6, and Years 7-8.
The winning poster in each category will also be automatically entered into the state level of competition.
Local winners will be announced during National Water Week, which runs from 19-25 October 2026 and celebrates the vital role water plays in our lives, our communities and our future.
Early childhood educators, teachers and parents
If you’re an early childhood educator, teacher or parent, you can download an Educators Guide at nationalwaterweek.com.au
The Guide includes background information, discussion prompts, and activity ideas, all aligned with the 2026 theme.
Closing date
Entries for the 2026 East Gippsland Water National Water Week Poster competition close on Friday, 11 September 2026 at 5pm.
Submit entries or find out more
To submit entries or find out more, go to nationalwaterweek.com.au/east-gippsland-water
Questions?
If you have any questions about the poster competition, contact East Gippsland Water on 1800 671 841 or email comms@egwater.vic.gov.au