Perfect lockdown project: Weston Creek Community Council encourages Canberra to build a scarecrow for Father's Day 2021

There will be a city-wide competition to find the best entries and the hope is it will build some community spirit during lockdown.

Straw may be thin on the ground, but get inventive and use things around the house such as rags or even leaves from the garden.

The Weston Creek Community Council usually holds a scarecrow competition at its pop-up Chapman Floriade Community Patch. But when Covid lockdown restrictions put an end to that, the organisers got creative and came up with the city-wide competition, with the help of Labor MLA Dr Marisa Paterson.

"Last year during lockdown we saw things like the bear-hunt popping up in local suburbs. This year, we're starting to see some Where's Wally cut-outs, and why not also build a scarecrow?" Dr Paterson said.

"Even if you can't build your own, you can still take part as part of the community judging."

Dr Paterson said small acts could still build a sense of community cohesion during a challenging time such as lockdown.

"I've never built a scarecrow before, but I'm looking forward to giving it a go in my own front yard with my kids next weekend," she said.

Weston Creek Community Council interim chair Bill Gemmell said the scarecrow-building was a great distraction for kids.

"It's a really good opportunity to connect people in what is otherwise a pretty average time just now," he said.

Mr Gemmell said participants might want to incorporate this year's Floriade theme, The Future of Flowers, and include futuristic or robotic elements.

Dr Paterson reminded people that they must not leave their local area to view scarecrows, and that current restrictions allowed one hour of exercise per day.

"I encourage everyone to look around their own homes and yards, and to reuse, renew and upcycle materials for their scarecrows; don't go out to buy new things," she said.

To enter the competition, email an image of your scarecrow to paterson@parliament.act.gov.au; or post it on social media with the hashtag #CBRScarecrow.

All images will be uploaded to the CBRScarecrow page on Dr Paterson's website.

It's here the community can vote for its favourite. Voting will open 10am on September 6 and continue until 8pm on September 12.

Three winners will be announced on September 14.

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