2026 Years 9/10 entries
Entries are shown in alphabetical order by artist’s first name
Alexander
Australia
The story of the Wagy
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
The story of the Wagyl is the main creation story for the Noongar People (my tribal group) from south-west Western Australia. Wagyl is a powerful spirit being who emerged from the earth as a Rainbow Serpent during the Nyitting dreaming or Cold Time (the time before time) to shape the landscape and waterways and provide our cultural laws.
Blake
Nan’s Country
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
This work portrays an area near Irrungadji (Nullagine), painted here from memory. Irrungadji is Blake’s Nan’s Country – her ‘ngurra’ (home Country, camp). People identify with their ngurra in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one’s Country. Painting ngurra, and in so doing sharing the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories and physical characteristics of that place, has today become an important means of cultural maintenance. As a young child, Blake travelled all the way from Kalgoorlie to Irrungadji, and remembers going gold detecting in the early morning with family before the heat set in.
Blake enjoys painting at night to relax before bed and is family to fellow Martumili Artists Jason Tinker (dec.) and Peter Tinker Pija. Younger Martu artists often start painting alongside their parents, grandparents, and extended family, which fosters an organic learning process. This not only involves mastering painting techniques but also understanding specific locations, family histories, traditional ways of life, bush tucker, and Jukurrpa (Dreaming). Over time, with encouragement from their peers, they develop their own distinct styles and explore unique painting techniques and subject matter. In this work Blake brings a contemporary, evolving perspective to their work.
Chanae
Gugu Yimithirr
Bubu (land)
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
The image painted shows two Cockatoos, which are the two main totems at home—one of which is mine. The white cockatoo. Both black and white both mean different things but they make up my community, Hope Vale. I painted them flying amongst the ocean which meets Elim beach; a main part of my community’s identity and history. It also highlights my connection to the beach as growing up it was a main part of my childhood, fishing, hanging out with family or even going down just for the weekend.
The image represents the two birds as people (having they are the two main totems of home) showing how we used the ocean for centuries—either for food, connection or celebration. The turtle represents our traditional food source but also as an animal of harmony. Showing the clear connection between survival and balance. The sunset highlights the underlying beauty of the beach alone while having the coloured sands in the back, a main attraction but also natural wonder of my home.
An ambitious composition, full of energy and a sense of wonder. The use of colour – from the expressive pink sky to the cool blue waters – creates warmth and interest. Playful use of scale and perspective shows courage to experiment with different ideas, and the small ecosystem pictured speaks to the theme of connection between species and the land.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
Your community ‘Hope Vale’ looks beautiful, well done!
Mr Tom Venning MP
Charlotte B
Wiradjuri/Australia
Roots of Connection
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My art expresses the valuable relationship between people and their connection to Country. These important relationships create a strong sense of identity, belonging, and individuality. The tree can be perceived as a human standing firm and tall on the land, whereas the dotted lines represent roots, which grow through the whole of Country. The roots keep the tree stable and give it strength, much like how the roots of our ancestors help us grow and guide us. I intentionally made the roots visible above the ground since this connection should not be buried, it should be shown with pride for all to see. The dotted pathways express travels and stories, and demonstrates that connection runs far and deep through the land.
The sun represents life, warmth, hope, and guidance, as though the sun is watching over and showing protection. I used bright yellow and orange colours to create a feeling of warmth and strength, demonstrating the comfort and healing that can come from connection to Country and community. The sun also represents the passing of knowledge and stories from older generations to younger generations, like light being shared across the land.
Through this artwork, I wanted to express that Country is more than just land. It holds spirit, history, stories, and identity, similar to how the roots of a tree run deep beneath the Earth. The connection between people and Country continues to support, guide, and strengthen future generations.
Does the tree represent people or a place? Perhaps both. A strikingly elegant work beautifully expressing time, strength, Country and identity. The glowing sun draws us into the full emotion of the work, with the roots reminding us we are grounded by story and place. A restrained use of colour communicates profound ideas with clarity. A quiet, powerful piece.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
A visually striking and colourful picture, well done!
Mr Tom Venning MP
Charlotte K
Waiben
Family tides
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My name is Charlotte and I am a proud Waiben woman from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. My painting represents my connection to the Torres Strait Islands, my home, my culture, and my family.
Throughout the middle of the painting are a stingray, hammerhead shark, turtle, saw shark, and whale shark. These sea creatures and Torres Strait totems are animals I feel deeply connected to and represent strength, guidance, protection, and identity.
The artwork was created using dots in different shades of blue to represent the colours of the Torres Strait and the ocean that surrounds and connects our islands and communities. The sea is an important part of my culture, history, and way of life.
Towards the bottom right of the painting are fingerprints from each member of my family. These symbols represent the love, support, and connection I share with them and show that my family will always be a part of who I am.
This painting reflects everything I feel deeply drawn to and the pride I have in my Torres Strait Islander heritage. It tells the story of where I come from, who I am, and who I will become.
The sun represents life, warmth, hope, and guidance, as though the sun is watching over and showing protection. I used bright yellow and orange colours to create a feeling of warmth and strength, demonstrating the comfort and healing that can come from connection to Country and community. The sun also represents the passing of knowledge and stories from older generations to younger generations, like light being shared across the land.
Through this artwork, I wanted to express that Country is more than just land. It holds spirit, history, stories, and identity, similar to how the roots of a tree run deep beneath the Earth. The connection between people and Country continues to support, guide, and strengthen future generations.
Elischa
Australia
Footprints of strength
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My artwork is an Aboriginal painting based on the theme of Family and Community. My painting represents the strong women in my life who have helped guide me on my journey. They have taught me valuable lessons, encouraged me to grow, and helped me become a better person.
The painting reflects the places where we come together as a community and the difficulties we sometimes face along the journey of life. Despite these challenges, these women continue to show strength, resilience, kindness, and courage.
The footprints in my artwork represent everyone coming together in my culture at the meeting place. They symbolise me and the Elders meeting, sharing stories, guidance, knowledge, and connection.
In my artwork, I have represented 10 strong women who have had a significant impact on my life and personal journey. This painting is my way of showing my appreciation for their love, support, and influence, and recognising the importance of family and community in my culture.
Gemma
Gunditjmara Palawa
Journey
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
I began my process with a blank skateboard deck, filling the background with a bright, vibrant pink acrylic layer. I layered in more acrylic paint and finally added the smaller dots and details using Posca paint markers. The dominant message I was trying to convey is my personal journey and connection to my culture.
Jackei
Wakka Wakka
Connected back home
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
This painting represents my family and me in a meeting place. I have 2 men in the painting for my older brother and Dad and then I put 5 girls in the painting for my two older sisters, my younger sister, Mum and me. I put pathways for everyone as they are all going their separate ways, but they still come back. There are two suns in the painting, mountains and hills because my home is near hills. In the painting, I put the creek with a watering hole because at home we have a creek and I put the tree lines outside the meeting place because I wanted my family to also be connected back home. My background colours are to make the blue the sky and I put different types of colours for land and made it multiple colours to look like the ‘outback/countryside’.
Jordan
Wakka Wakka
Beach Gathering
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My painting shows the beauty of the land and shows my family gathering on the sand of the beach looking at the stars and admiring the land before being colonised.
Kennan
Wakka Wakka
Hunting on country
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
My painting means how my people survived and how they hunted and them showing up for each other being safe when they hunt. My people make sure when they hunt they stick in a pack and help each other and how stealthy they are.
Kerri-Lee
Wakka Wakka
Loved Ones who have come before
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My painting means a lot about my culture and the way loved ones who have come before in the colour that means my brother mother, father and sisters, niece and nephews.
Lewis
Guringai
The untold story
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
The artwork represents the gap in connection to country that occurred in my family and the role I’ve played in re-connecting to country and my family. I’ve been able to find the real me and my true self and my relationship to my culture and to my country. Some things have happened in the past and my family didn’t identify with their culture and their people. I have taken the step forward to identify and own my culture and I am interested to learn more about my family’s history and culture and to be a proud representative of my school.
Maverick
Wiradjuri
For The Future
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
As an Indigenous man, my identity is shaped through experiences, traditions and stories that teach me what it’s like to be Aboriginal. This piece of art is called ‘For The Future’.
Hi, my name is Maverick, I’m a proud Wiradjuri boy from Dubbo. My culture means everything to me and having a culture with such significance is great. My artwork not only represents my culture but it represents who I am as a person. I named my artwork this because I am the next generation of the Indigenous population and this artwork portrays what it looks like in my eyes as an Aboriginal boy.
My artwork is called ‘For The Future’ and is a self portrait that has many meanings. This is portrayed through the symbols I used. The first symbol I used is the gum tree plant. I chose this plant as it is native to Australia and represents the country I live in and the land I’m on. It also represents being resilient, as the gum tree is known for survival and resilience during harsh conditions and tough terrain. The gum tree also is known throughout Aboriginal culture to be a sacred medicine, food and materials for tools, relating back to my culture. The next symbol I used is the ochre across my face. The self portrait is related to a photo taken at a corroboree I did in the previous years. This is a symbol of culture and identity through the ochre spread across my face. Ochre connects one to the land, ancestors and the dreaming. It is part of the identity shown throughout Indigenous culture and is a trademark in Aboriginal ceremonies. Another symbol is the footy posts. This represents my personal hobbies and what I enjoy doing. What I’ve learnt from Rugby League is that pushing yourself that little bit more can help you in the long run. It has taught me to never give up and just do a little bit better than the day before. It has taught me teamwork, and has shown me how to be a leader, use my voice and help others. My last symbol is the quote. As a nation, no matter what colour, race or ethnicity you are, we can’t sit and dwell on the past. As we are all humans, we can push together, work together and become one despite our differences and flaws. If we let the past control our lives we won’t be able to move forward as one.
Thoughtful, courageous self-portrait that weaves personal story with traditional symbolism shown combining native flora and ochre alongside sport. The work feels intimate as well as out-ward looking, expressing pride in culture, and imagining a future of hope, strength and optimism. A clear voice and sense of self, make this a deeply personal, resonant work.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
A thoughtful artwork showing pride in your culture, well done!
Mr Tom Venning MP
Nyla
Kamilaroi
Belonging
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
The hand symbolises belonging and the dots within the curved lines represent family connection, making identity stronger.
Rakell
Paakintji
Pumaluka
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
Pumaluka is a painting about the river turtles.
Raquelle
Peppimenarti/Maningrida
My Mum’s Dreamtime
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
This is a dreamtime story from my Mum, from her country. It’s from Peppimenarti. I can’t tell you exactly what its about. It’s my Dreamtime Totem.
Ruby
Wiradjuri/Dharug
Yandhai Dreaming
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
Yandhai Dreaming is a representation of the vibrant, Nepean (Yandhai) river and its local Dharug and Dharawal flora and fauna, rich in symbolism and cultural significance. Yandhai also means “to walk in the past and present”.
Depictions of our circular ancestors guiding us in spirit, community and connection, U shaped symbols of people and children gathered around the campsites telling stories and passing on traditional knowledge.
Tracks of the local totems the four clawed brushtail possum representing resilience and adaptability and the symbol of peace and reconciliation the lyrebird celebrate the relationship between indigenous people and the land.
The bush Tucker reminds us to only take what we need and the beautiful Banksia and Billy buttons give us sweet things to look forward to.
A captivating work beautifully honouring Country, culture and continuity. Full of vibrant, intricate detail, the work invites us to look closely at each element, that when combined, shows us a bigger narrative of connection, and belonging. The use of colour and depiction of totems, gathering places, and food, demonstrates skilful and thoughtful storytelling – this ancient river, moving through time.
Ms Kate Chaney MP
A vibrant and meaningful reflection of Yandhai Dreaming.
Mr Tom Venning MP
Savannah
Palawa – Tasmania
Two Friendly Dolphins
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
These dolphins are a connection to the ocean and represent the saltwater people… of which is a connection to my family. They are my favourite animal, they are playful and funny and are the friendliest animals in the ocean. They helped my ancestors with fishing, herding the fish closer for them to be caught and then they were fed with the fish tails as a thank you. The three circles symbolise the schools of fish the dolphins are herding in.
Shelley
Wakka Wakka
Yarning Circle
Artwork
Theme: Family and Connection
Description
I am representing my culture in my painting.
Steven
Wakka Wakka
Ancestor Yarning
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My painting represents how our ancestors before me lived and take a story of them coming together as one near a campfire and a meeting circle, yarning and being one.
Summa
Wiradjuri
Country of the South-East
Artwork
Theme: Country and Connection
Description
My artwork, “Country of the South-East,” is a tribute to the coastline here at Kingston. Using acrylic on canvas, I have explored the theme of Connection to Country through a bird’s-eye view of the landscape. This piece took over three weeks to complete, and I am grateful for the guidance of Michelle McAuley and Katherine Lisk, who provided the tips and support I needed to ensure the painting truly reflected the backstory I wanted to tell.
Tamika
Kunja (Cunnamulla, S.W. Queensland)
The Yarn Circle
Artwork
Theme: Identity and Culture
Description
My painting tells my story about what it feels like to be one of the only Aboriginal girls at my school. Sometimes it has felt lonely, like I stand out from everyone else. But through our weekly Yarn Circle painting group, I’ve been able to share my culture and stories with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal friends. That has made me feel proud, strong, and more connected to the people around me. Painting together has shown me that sharing culture can bring people together and create understanding, which feels more powerful than loneliness.
Tarkyn
Paakantyi
The way of life
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
In my painting it shows what has happened in my life and my family and friends. It also has some symbols that represent people I have lost along the way.
Tinissia
Wakka Wakka
Grandma Stars
Artwork
Theme: Family and Community
Description
My painting shows my family, I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters and my Mum and Dad. They were all around my circle they each had a symbol that described their gender. The lines in the middle of each of my family members represent when they are away from me, but they still belong in my family circle. The dots are the footsteps of them walking away from home, but they will always come back to check up on the family. The stars represent my grandmas that remind me of stars because they all had a bright soul.