The Huntlee team recently asked the people of the Hunter to share their ideas for what facilities they’d like to see included in the park via the “What’s Your Bright Idea?” competition.

It was a chance for entrants to see their ideas come to life and also to share in a prize pool of more than $30,000. 26-year-old James Matthews from Pokolbin was the winner of the $10,000 first prize for his remarkably detailed scale model of the park and accompanying ‘Small Book of Big Ideas’. Second prize of $4000 went to Brittany Thompson from Singleton and third prize of $3000 to Wendie Berril-Jone from Ellalong.

The People’s Choice Award of $3000 for the entry receiving the most votes via the website went to 12-year-old Lachlan Jurd of Cessnock.

The Competition also included categories for Primary and Secondary schools with a cash prize of $5000 for the best entry in each section. First place went to Year 3 from Rosary Park Catholic School in Branxton.

In the Secondary Schools section the $5000 first place prize was awarded to the Year 10 entry from St Catherine’s College, Singleton and a special, additional Judges’ Award of $2500 was given to Year 7 from Kurri Kurri High School whose entry, in the opinion of the judges, also deserved special recognition.