The busy centre is among the entrants for the Banjo Paterson shopfront window display competition.

The inaugural Banjo Paterson Festival starts tomorrow and the Central Western Daily has come on board and launched a business shopfront window display competition.

Orange PCYC activities co-ordinator Shaye Moss said the tour of Banjo monuments across Orange was spurred by their lack of knowledge of who the poet was.

“A lot of the kids had no idea of the Banjo Paterson history or his poems,” she said.

The tour led children to visit the Banjo statue near the Orange Visitor Information Centre, Emmaville Cottage and monuments at Banjo Paterson park.

“We came back and researched the poems and the jobs he had,” Mrs Moss said.
“It’s just another thing we can teach the kids.”

Among their window display are hand drawn pictures, Banjo facts, a replica of Emmaville Cottage and also a Banjo Paterson mannequin complete with hat, chair, picket fence and corn field.

Up for grabs in the competition is a $2000 advertising package with the CWD.
CWD sales manager Rochelle Monaghan said businesses have shown a lot of creativity with their window displays.

“It’s great to see local business supporting a local event and I’m looking forward to the celebration of 150 years of Banjo Paterson,” she said.

“The CWD is proud to continue their support of local events.”

Other businesses with window displays include Collins Booksellers Orange, Buena Vista Opportunity Shop, McCarthy’s Pharmacy, Bobbies, Chris Gryllis Real Estate, The Complete Garden and McDonald’s.

Entries close at 5pm today with judging tomorrow.

For more information contact Rochelle Monaghan on 6391 2921 or email rochelle.monaghan@fairfaxmedia.com.au