Schools
24 May, 2025
Esk State School students buy smart
ESK State School is one of many across the state taking part in the State Government’s 2025 Buy Smart Competition, with the school having been visited by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for a presentation.
The annual competition challenges students, Year 4 to 12, to make a creative project that explains and addresses an important consumer issue of their choice for a chance to win a share of more than $15,000.
The OFT speaker helped the Esk State School students navigate marketplace regulatory issues and use their consumer rights. Students have created innovative board games, music videos, TV shows and story books in past years.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the competition helps set the Nanango Electorate’s youngest consumers up for financial success.
“The Buy Smart Competition has been helping young Queenslanders become more informed consumers for more than two decades,” she said. “My electorate is home to so many bright and creative students, I’m excited to see strong local representation in this year’s competition.
“It is crucial for young people to have opportunities to develop the skills to recognise and avoid scams and improve their financial capability.”
Ms Frecklington said entries could cover a range of topics, with many students choosing to address consumer issues in the online space in recent years.
“Young people are often not exposed to online shopping or cashless payments until they begin spending themselves, which can make it difficult to develop the skills to navigate the rapidly evolving and complex digital marketplace,” she said.
Esk State School teacher Susane Denman said Buy Smart allows students to express their personal interests and talents.
“Students can present their entry with whatever they’re good at, over the years I’ve seen some make art, boardgames or even code,” Ms Denman said. “I incorporate the competition into a lunchtime club that has been a big hit with students because it’s so creatively broad,” she said.
Entries are now open and will close on 19 September 2025. For more information, visit qld.gov.au/law/fair-trading/buy-smart-competition
