2026 Years 7/8 entries
Entries are shown in alphabetical order by artist’s first name
Alizah
Ngunnuwal and Wiradjuri
The Clay
I lay awake at the start of my day, I realise how much my elders have done for me and my mob today, leaving behind an easier job of sustaining our clay. So I thank my elders for all the land that I walk, run, play, live and learn on.
As I’m walking through the trees to collect gum leaves, I feel a strong breeze. It’s a breeze of ease, as I remember my elders left the land ever-growing for future generations.
The land, a mother strong and true, where kindness flourishes for me and you. Respect the past, for the present holds a legacy of stories to be told.
Clank, clack, the work has been done by my elders with a vision true, 40,000 years have passed away, since they built the Brewarrina fish traps of clay. The river ripples and the waters roar, as I walk along the river shore.
Surrounded by my friends and family in the fire pits glow, I am watching the happy faces I know. I wait for the damper to cool from the heat, with hand picked berries to make jam and locally collected honey for me to eat.
The years roll by, one by one. Though the faces in my mob may forever change, however, the love deep in my soul I would never exchange.
The Clay
Text
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
When I heard about this competition during our Yarn Friday meeting, I straight away knew I wanted to write something about my Country. As a First Nations daughter, my connection to land, culture and my mob is really important to me, and poetry felt like the best way to share that. This poem is like my own message about how proud I am to be First Nations and how much respect I have for my Elders who guide us and keep our stories strong.
Beverly
Trawlwulwuy
Drawing your Identity
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
Drawing your Identity is focused on the fact that we can draw and create our own identity, and even though we are inspired by our heritage, we still make our own choices that shape who we truly are. I focused on making the drawing bright and colourful, while still holding a few cultural elements in the background. I wanted it to represent the upcoming generation of Indigenous people; creative, unique and different, just like the artwork I have created.
Charlotte
Wiradjuri
Wiradjuri Dreaming
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My painting reflects the spirit of Wiradjuri Country at night, surrounded by stars and flowing pathways. Emus and goannas travel across the land while groups of people move together, gathering to share stories, culture, and connection. The patterns and tracks symbolise journeys, community, and the strong bond between people, animals, and Country.
Filled with movement and life, this work captures the interconnection of land, creature and ceremony with beautiful technique and use of colour. The work encompasses both the scale of country and a sense of ‘the whole’ sitting within the infinite vastness of the night sky.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
I feel like I’m looking into the stars, well done!
Mr Tom Venning MP
Elie-mae
Gamilaraay
Two different paths one land
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
Two paths, one land. Two animals, on one country. These two animals share nothing in common, other than their connection to the people and ancient lands of Australia. This piece is about the connections that aren’t always obvious, but are still there and are kept sacred by many.
Ellcie
Wakka Wakka
Lyrebird
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My Aboriginal-inspired artwork of Wiritjiribin or Wiridjiribin (Lyrebird) was created by using native local Mahram (Bottlebrush) leaves as feathers to show a strong connection between nature, animals, and the land. I used my creativity to transform ordinary leaves into the lyrebird’s flowing tail, carefully layering different shapes, colours, and textures to make the bird look alive and full of movement. The natural patterns on the leaves reminded me of traditional Aboriginal art styles that celebrate the environment and storytelling. I wanted the artwork to represent harmony with nature, so every leaf was chosen to reflect the beauty of the bush and the uniqueness of the lyrebird. By combining natural materials with imaginative design, I created an artwork that is both meaningful and visually powerful.
Beautifully balances and visually wonderful, the layering of different materials with paint has created interesting textures, and depth of meaning. The composition of patterns, and use of natural materials not only matches a lyrebird’s majestic tale, but it also shows the inter-connection between animal and environment.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
You’ve done a great job capturing the beauty of the lyrebird.
Mr Tom Venning MP
Gerry
Wakka Wakka
Family pride
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My painting represents my culture and it represents my ancestors. I feel proud and happy that my painting is representing my culture.
Hailah
Wambaya
My connection to country
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
This artwork shows my personal journey through life on country. I’m represented in the middle by my handprint proudly displaying the Aboriginal flag. 2 Galahs can be seen as a symbol of loyalty and to represent the animals of the sky. An Echidna can be seen as a symbol of resilience and representing the animals of the land. A turtle can be seen as a symbol of protection and creation and representing the animals of the sea. Symbols in the background include waterholes, rocks, stars, animal tracks, hills, mountain, valleys, rivers, tribes connecting, meeting circles and people. These are all the things I see when I’m on country. My family and I enjoy travelling, bushwalking and hiking and these help me have a deep connection and respect for country. It allows me to see the land through a different perspective without buildings just all natural areas. Indigenous people have cared for country for thousands of years and have managed to be self sufficient and resourceful only taking what’s needed and moving on to different areas. I try to do the same by not littering, being kind and respectful to animals and insects and being aware of the impact this will have for future generations. Country and connection go hand in hand and I feel most relaxed, calm and inspired when I’m on country. I’m so proud to be me and part of the longest surviving, continuing culture in the world.
A thoughtful, powerful piece that flows through careful design, use of colour and line – it is busting with energy and a strong sense of belonging. The work feels alive, imbued with meaning and memories and connection to land and sky… personal and powerful.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
Amazing detail and colours. I enjoyed reading your journey and seeing it come to life in your artwork.
Mr Tom Venning MP
Isabella
Wiradjuri, Wellington
Our Ancestors Land
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
This artwork is about the First Nations people, more about our ancestors home, drawn with Aboriginal pictures to show we can come together as one.
Jaide
Kalkadoon Country – Mount Isa area
Ajarku Muruu – All One Country
Artwork
Theme: Reconciliation
Description
My name is Jaide, I’m a proud Kalkadoon girl and a contemporary Indigenous artist. This painting tells the story of reconciliation and how we are all part of One Country even though we all come from different places and backgrounds.
The large community symbol in the centre of my painting represents Australia and all Australians coming together. I painted it in blue to represent the Australian flag and placed the Southern Cross in the middle to show that we are all united under the same stars. Around it are lots of different coloured people and people symbols to represent the many cultures, nationalities and communities that make up our country.
The four community symbols around the painting represent the different landscapes and places that people call home all across Australia. The green community symbol represents the rainforest and bush, which is surrounded by leaves and flowers. The blue community symbol represents the islands and coasts, it is surrounded by lines and waterholes representing the ocean. The red community symbol represents the desert and outback, with red mountains around it. Lastly the aqua community symbol represents the rivers and waterways that flow through Country. All of these places are connected to the centre by travelling lines, showing people travelling from their own communities and coming together as one.
The kangaroo and emu represent Australia’s coat of arms, with their footprints symbolising us always moving forwards towards reconciliation and never backwards. The people footprints leading towards the centre represent each person’s own journey through life and the path we all walk together.
The handprints represent our connection to Country, community and each other. The sun at the top of the painting represents hope and the brighter future we can create together through reconciliation, respect and unity.
Tremendously vibrant work is expansive, radiant and shining with humanity, unity and belonging. Depicting many peoples and pathways coming together using incredible colour and pattern, there is a powerful sense of hope, pride and togetherness under the Southern Cross. Rich with shared identity and a true celebration of reconciliation.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
Thank you for sharing your story of reconciliation so beautifully.
Mr Tom Venning MP
Jai’Kyl
Wakka Wakka
Gathering circles
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
In my painting the circles mean gathering but not all the circles mean that, with the little tracks and humans.
Jardell
Wakka Wakka
Cherbourg Rocks
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My painting uses aboriginal dots and symbols. The symbols represent my family. The mountain shows cliffs, it reminds me of the rocks in Cherbourg. I drew stars and suns because they are the people watching over us. I drew the river at the rocks in Cherbourg.
Jodi
Dreaming In Country
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
This painting represents my deep appreciation and connection for country. When I’m with my family, no matter what we are doing, whether it is sitting around a campfire, celebrating someone’s birthday or catching up just because we enjoy being together. I can always appreciate country and I feel connected to it because I enjoy having a yarn with anyone that apreciates country like i do. When my elders are around me I can feel a deeper apreciation for country and sometimes I can also feel my anscestors with me, even though they are not with me in person they are still with me in a way. That’s what this painting really means to me.
La-Kayah
Wakka Wakka
Men and women gather
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
In my painting my hands are strong and my identity is clear.
Lilly
Wiradjuri, Wellington
STOLEN
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
In my artwork i painted a person falling underwater to represent how it feels to have your identity and culture taken away. The word “STOLEN” shows the impact of the Stolen Generations and how deeply it affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The explosion of blue shows overwhelming emotions like shock, confusion and sadness. At the bottom i wrote words like “Shame, disconnection, foreign and unknown” to show the feelings many children experienced when they were removed from their families. The dark water represents isolation and loss, while the small, floating shapes symbolize pieces of culture and identity drifting away. I created this artwork to show the emotional pain and lasting effects of being separated from family, culture and identity.
Lillyannah
Australia
First Nation footy boots
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
I have drawn footy boots for our First Nation football team. These shoes show dedication in culture.
Manny
My Flag
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
It’s the Aboriginal Flag. I painted it.
Mia
Elders Journey though country
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
When I painted this artwork, I used acrylic paint, drawing inspiration from my own connection to Country. Growing up, I didn’t know much about my culture. That’s something that has shaped who I am today. Through my education and the guidance of local Elders at my school, I’ve been given the chance to learn, listen, and grow. These conversations have helped me build a deeper understanding of my culture and a stronger connection to who I am. This painting reflects that journey. When I think about connection to Country, I think about everything I’ve learned and continue to learn. In my artwork, I have placed an Elder at the centre, representing strength, knowledge, and guidance. Around him, I’ve shown his journey caring for Country, the footprints he leaves behind, the animals he hunts to provide for his family, and the waterways he crosses. For me, this story is about honouring our ancestors and recognising how they lived, survived, and cared for Country for over 65,000 years. It’s also about understanding my place in that story today. I chose earthy tones to represent the land and blues to represent the waterways, as these are strong parts of Country that connect us all.
Olivia
Waundurie Gubie Gubie
Future me
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
I grew up in a small indigenous town surrounded by my culture my mob and my elders.
I grew up hearing these stories about the town its history, dream times, and celebrations I had always loved art and was always fascinated by indigenous art it never clicked to me that I couled do that to.
I remember the first indigenous art piece I did I was in grade 4 I made it with cheap paints all difrent colors and a q-tip and my fingers it was on a a-4 piece of paper it was not prize worthy but it was a first.
This piece is called future me it is supposed to represent steps and the obstacles and is a later to my younger self f what I know know verses what I knew back then. if you zoom in you can see all the small ditales like all the small things that are going on in peoples lifes at some points the work is messy like us or at some points its all the small details that make the piece like the small things in life that count some parts are blank to represent the parts in are life that missing and blank.
I wanted each section in this to repressed something different.i wanted to make this piece to be able to relate to every one in a way
Pepole say you can’t hear a picture but you can what do you think that voice in your head saying if the piece is good or bad is? There is so much more to this piece but the picture will speak for its self
Rheegan
Boonwurrung Frankston/Port Philip
Connection To My Identity
Who you are and where you come from.
Connection with mob/community/ connection to the place you’re from
Knowing I’m Aboriginal makes me feel like I’m connected to other people
Ormsby – comes from danish ancestry on my dad side/norse
Mordue – comes from french – Mum side is where I’m Aboriginal
Mum’s Grandmother (Nan) is where my aboriginal connection comes from
I’m proud to be apart of one of the oldest living and contiuing culture in the world,
We only make up 3% of the population which adds a specialness to be apart of the culture
I’m proud in knowing that I’m Aboriginal even if I have lighter skin
Even though I have lighter skin its clear to me that I’m Aboriginal
Workers in Knowledge House, my mum, Gunya Meta programs,
In Knowledge House we learn about the history – Gunya Meta does a bunch of culture work in their programs.
Connection To My Identity
Text
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
it is a text I writ about my identity
Roy’Qarne
Wakka Wakka
Gathering circles
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
In my painting the circles mean gathering. There are symbols representing my family. The boomerang represents strength. The colours were chosen because they blend in well.
Sandra
Wakka Wakka
Stories with my Dad
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
I put my family in my painting because they’re my home and I travel to Brisbane with my family. And there are stars for my ancestors and the campfire where my Dad tells stories.
Scarlett
Ngunnawal
My Connection
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My Connection shows my totem, the platypus, by a billabong. I like the night time and the moon and it features the Southern Cross to show Australia, too. The symbols on the tree are my family of 6 and waterholes showing there is a billabong near.
Shanice
Wakka Wakka
Snake Totem
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
In my painting the pink represents girls in my life. The red represents the boys. The snake represents my totem. The fire represents the sun. The dots represent all the different people from different cultures.