Nurturing cultural safety and providing an inclusive learning environment is a priority for the Educational Pathways Program (EPP). To help foster this, the EPP has co-designed a range of resources to support our schools working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at EPP schools participated in an Aboriginal art competition, with the winning design featuring on the resources.

The winning artist is proud Gumbaynggirr woman, Dakotah Ballangarry, whose artwork will feature on EPP resources.

Dakotah studied at Woolgoolga High School and 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.

“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.”

Below are the stories and inspirations behind some of the students’ artworks:

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 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”.

Felicity Adams is 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 the budding young artists who entered the competition and is excited to see how their art continues to develop in the future.

For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community resources, email the EPP team.