An Aboriginal art competition held by the Educational Pathways Program has selected its finalists and winner, Dakotah Ballangarry, with Dakotah’s work, ‘My Steps through Education’, set to be featured on materials created to foster cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The artworks, created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student artists from schools across the EPP, were exhibited at the department’s annual celebration of NAIDOC Week.

Every year, NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across the country to celebrate the history, rich culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and in the schools and communities we serve. This year, the NAIDOC national theme was Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, honouring the unyielding spirit and amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In addition to the exhibition, the event included a keynote address from Olympian and former politician Nova Peris, who spoke of being the first Aboriginal woman elected to Federal Parliament and the first Aboriginal and Northern Territorian to win an Olympic Gold Medal.

Below are the stories and inspirations behind the featured students’ artworks:

Dakotah Ballangarry was a recent Year 10 student at Woolgoolga High School and proud Gumbaynggirr woman living on Country. Dakotah describes herself as a “very arts and crafts person”, whose artworks have previously been sold at local charity auctions for Camp Quality. She has a gift for storytelling and aspires to build a career from her art. Staff across the EPP selected Dakotah’s artwork to feature on materials created to promote the program.

“This painting describes the journey through education with the support of family and friends. The Educational Pathways program is one of those friends,” says Dakotah. “You’ll notice the shifts in groups, the movement in the path, the community all around. Follow your own journey and celebrate those along the way.”

Kayla Maher is a Bundjalung student living on Country, and in Year 10 at Tweed River High School. Kayla is a proud member of her local Balunjahli (Culture club) and her Aunt and Uncle are knowledge keepers in their community. They are also talented Aboriginal artists and inspire Kayla to make art to help her feel connected to her Culture.

In Year 10 at Ulladulla High School, Hope Gardner is a proud Wiradjuri woman living on Yuin Country. Hope describes her biggest inspiration as her late dad and uses Aboriginal dance and painting as a way to “feel connected to him and make him proud,” she says. Outside of school, Hope takes part in circus-related gymnastics, and is a talented contortionist.

Alliyah Bromell is a proud Kamilaroi woman on Wanaruah country, and in Year 10 at Kurri Kurri High School. Alliyah has been creating Aboriginal art for 12 months and enjoys playing rugby league in her spare time. After school, she plans to pursue a career as a social worker, supporting families and children.

Chelsea Cooper is in Year 10 at Chifley College Dunheved Campus, and a proud Awabakal woman living on Dharug Country. Aboriginal art is a huge inspiration to Chelsea as it makes her feel more connected to Culture. She gets immense pride from “seeing people with smiles on their faces because of my art”.

Not in attendance, but also represented, was Felicity Adams, a Kamilaroi woman on Dharug country and Year 10 student at Chifley College Shalvey Campus. Felicity discovered her passion for art during the COVID lockdowns. It helped her explore her connection to culture and express herself. After school, Felicity is looking forward to continuing her artistic practice, as well as exploring hairdressing as a career.

Everyone at the Educational Pathways Program is exceptionally proud of the creativity, hard work, and dedication shown by these budding young Aboriginal artists, and is excited to see how their art continues to develop in the future.