A burst of colour, creativity and culture has officially shaped the face of the 2026 North Queensland Games, with local student Georgia Thorning announced as the winner of the region-wide mascot design competition.
The contest invited children aged up to 16 to create a brand-new mascot ahead of the Games’ return to Mackay in May 2026. Entries closed at Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre on October 6, 2025, with prizes including $500 cash and NQ Games merchandise for the winning design, and merchandise packs for two runners-up.
Georgia’s artwork – a vibrant version of Pedro the Platypus – captured the community’s imagination. Her design features Indigenous dot patterns across Pedro’s face, tail and shirt, representing the Yuwi people of the Mackay region and the platypus’ connection to Broken River.
After nearly 400 community votes across 10 finalists, Pedro was announced the winner by just four votes.
Georgia said she felt “really excited” to win and was especially looking forward to seeing Pedro transformed into a full-size mascot. She said her aunt encouraged her to enter, and she began sketching ideas on her iPad while staying with her grandmother, who helped come up with the name.
North Queensland Sports Foundation CEO Alexander J. Fisher said the initiative was designed to connect sport and the arts, noting that not every young person becomes a sporting star, but creativity is equally worth celebrating.
Councillor Ash-Lee Johnson praised Georgia’s design for showcasing local culture and the beauty of the Pioneer Valley. The mascot is expected to appear in early 2026, ahead of the Games beginning on May 1.
Local student Georgia Thorning wins the 2026 North Queensland Games mascot competition with her culturally inspired Pedro the Platypus design, chosen by community vote to represent the Games in Mackay. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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