winners
2025 YArning competition winners
Thank you for your participation in the Department of the House of Representatives Yarning competition.
lincoln frid
Age Group: 7/8
Title: Family Foundations
Theme: Family and Community
Medium: Art
Family Foundations (My artwork) portrays a story that represents my grandmother (Big Nan). My grandmother Theresa was a descendant of the Mandandanji People they’re the traditional owners of Roma and surrounding. I am her grandson my name is Lincoln, I’m 13 years old, the artwork I painted was inspired by a snapshot of me and my grandmother out on country learning about our culture heritage. Big Nan often told me stories about her on country with her family, some of her stories they weren’t always fond memories she shared as she was taken from her family put in a home in Brisbane forbidden to practice cultural traditions or speak about her aboriginality. This life-changing event in her has shaped her into having a strong resilience for going back to country and regaining our connection to our country and culture. Because of her passion for her culture, she has always maintained the importance of passing on her knowledge to generations that have come after her. I’m very grateful that she has set the strong foundation that give us the footing to stand and to make sure our culture is passed on for many generations to come. Hence the name of “Family Foundations” of this painting of my interpretation I have painted I have painted this beautiful picture taken on country with my grandmother.
brooke dobson
Age Group: 7/8
Title: The Magpie and The Crow
Theme: Country and Connection
Medium: Art
The story of the Magpie and the Crow.
A story of two greedy brothers.
The way I was told the story was that the two brothers amongst a tribe refused to help out for an upcoming ceremony. Whilst everyone was hunting or preparing things for this ceremony, the two brothers ran off to eat berries.
When the ceremony came, the boys had snuck off to a cave, which consisted of the foods that the tribe had gathered together (the cave can be seen in my artwork). But the boys had no idea, the elders of the tribe had planned for this. Once they entered, the entrance and the exit of the cave was lit of fire. The two brothers were forced to jump through the flames and were turned into the first magpie and the crow. The greediest brother being the crow, and the less greedy brother being the magpie, the least burnt too. The two brothers flew off and were forever taught their lesson (if you look closely, you can see the smoke from the tribe in the distance as they fly off).
I chose this story because I have been told this story numerous times throughout my schooling. I feel very connected to this story ever since I was told it. And coincidentally, the magpie is my favorite bird.
Jehdah-Rose Morea
Age Group: 9/10
Title: My saltwater country
Theme: Identity and Culture
Medium: Text
This is my version on what being indigenous means to me. ‘My Saltwater Country’ talks about how being a first nations persons runs deep, that it runs deeper then my blood, but being indigenous means that I have a connection and caring for my country. ‘My saltwater country’ shows that I, myself know about the ocean, that i can hear the stories it keeps. I wrote this so people would understand that being an aboriginal woman means more then just the title.
cleo doyle
Age Group: 11/12
Title: Ochre – Contemporary Aboriginal Dance
Theme: Country and Connection
Medium: Video
My name is Cleo Doyle, and I am a proud Kamilaroi performer and choreographer with a deep passion for Aboriginal contemporary dance, based on Awabakal Country (Lake Macquarie/ Newcastle). My choreographic work ‘Ochre’ is a deeply personal and powerful reflection of my journey, reconnecting to culture and identity as a proud Aboriginal woman. Ochre, as a material and symbol, is central to this work – it represents the earth, history, ceremony and the enduring spirit of our people. For me, ochre embodies the stories, struggles, and strength of my ancestors and community; it is something we wear with pride, a physical and spiritual reminder of who we are and where we come from. Through ‘Ochre’, I honour the resilience, beauty and sacred connection between land, culture and self, making it a powerful act of cultural celebration and healing for both myself and my community.