NAIDOC Artists and Artwork Stories
Thank you to all our artists who have contributed their artwork to the Igniting Creativity Exhibition.
Click their name below to find out the story of their artwork.
As these artworks are not-for-sale, we hope that our Exhibition viewers will assist us in raising funds for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Contribute to the fundraiser here: https://fundraising.ilf.org.au/ignitingcreativityexhibition
Organisation's Description
Yalari has a vision to be one of Australia’s great enduring educational and leadership foundations empowering Indigenous people from regional and remote Australia. In 1979, a young Aboriginal boy growing up in rural Queensland was awarded a scholarship to attend Toowoomba Grammar School and went on to become the first Indigenous student to complete Year 12 and to be appointed school Prefect in the school’s 100 plus year history. More than 20 years later, Waverley and his wife Llew Mullins, backed by a group of like-minded and generous supporter, established Yalari to give young Indigenous students from remote and regional areas that same opportunity. Indigenous students from across Australia attend boarding schools from Year 7 to Year 12. In this region, students are boarders at Toowoomba Grammar School, The Glennie School and in Warwick, at Scots PGC College. Based on the CORRIE values of Compassion, Openness, Respect Resilience, Inclusiveness and Excellence, Yalari aims to create equitable opportunities and outcomes for successive generations of Indigenous children.
Artwork Story
This piece honours the 2024 NAIDOC Theme with the fire in the middle to represent all the fires that we sit around and yarn, connect and participate in ceremony as they continue to burn through thousands of years. They are a key place to share stories, songs and knowledge that is passed from generations to generation, by people (shown by the ‘U’ shapes), sitting around the fire and participating in an activity or event. The man at the bottom, holding a didgeridoo presents the songs and dances that have been passed on for many generations while the boomerangs offer a sense of protection and security but can also be used as a tool for hunting and supplying food to communities and families. The mountains are the landscape and our environment, that we protect and nurture, while the footprints are each person’s journey and connection to Country. The handprint represents the blood of our people and how strong our culture is. The turtle, shark and frangipanis are a connection between the Torres Strait Island communities. The Dhari (headdress) is an important part of Torres Strait Islander culture and is found on the flag, along with the 5-pointed star, symbolising peace as well as the importance of stars in navigating through the 200 plus Islands (of which 17 are inhabited) of the Torres Strait.
Organisation’s Description
Toowoomba Grammar School has a rich history and tradition dating back to 1875. TGS is a non-denominational, independent say and boarding school for boys from Prep to Year 12. TGS has built its reputation upon high quality teachers, excellent academic results, outstanding pastoral care and a holistic approach to the education and formation of young men. We are proud to have a very connected and engaged school community which promotes a culture of diversity and inclusivity. These relationships extend well beyond the boys’ departure.
Artwork Story
The circle in the centre of the canvas is the fire continuing to burn. The shapes surrounding the fire represent all Toowoomba Grammar students within the Indigenous Education Program. There are 47 boys sitting around various fires throughout the piece, representing how many Gramma Mari and Ailan boys attend TGS. The Blue and Green circle in the top left corner represents Ailan culture. The tracks between the fires represent connectedness of each student and their mob and the emu tracks are a way of representing the many different moieties of all boys at TGS.
Organisation’s Description
Our vision is to develop in each Glennie girl the intellectual, physical and spiritual potential to be All She Can Be. Glennie girls are educated to the highest standards. In addition, they are given opportunities to develop their sporting and cultural talents through a rich, diverse and stimulating extra-curricular program. By achieving an understanding of their own spiritual dimension, Glennie girls will make a positive contribution to the world and have a well-developed sense of citizenship. As well-skilled, well-rounded and well-grounded young.
Artwork Story
The canvas is divided into four sections to represent: Aboriginal students, Torres Strait Islander students, The Glennie School and our families back home. In the centre of the canvas is the fire continuing to burn while we are away from home and in boarding schools. It also symbolises the NAIDOC theme because the fire keeps burning to keep our culture strong, even though we are away from our families. The Blue and Green section with the Dhari (headdress), the five-pointer star of peace and used in navigation and the dugongs represents Ailan culture while the black, yellow and red of the Aboriginal flag, along with the snake represents Aboriginal culture. All the First Nation students of Glennie are represented by the people holding hands around the colours of The Glennie School. The last section is all about walking on Country, being back home, and our families who, with us, have made the brave decision for us to be educated away from home. The paths between the sections represent connectedness between boarding and home life for the students and their mob, while the different animal tracks are a way of representing the many different moieties of all girls at The Glennie School.
Organisation’s Description
Kulila is a community run Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kindergarten here in Toowoomba, the Committee work alongside C&K to provide a Culturally safe and reflective service. We are a small centre, which runs 2 programs a week which can enrol up to 44 Kindys. Learning through Culture is our Motto, with all involved stakeholders keeping strong commitment ties to quality educational practices within a play based learning environment. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships! Relationships are the key to strong ties between all stakeholders, focused on the wholistic development of a Kindy and their educational journey.
Artwork Story
During 2024, robust discussions about our Cultural footprint here at Kulila have had underlying threads of reflective conversations. The 2024 Reconciliation week theme, Now More Than Ever reminded us that no matter what, we need to work through identified barriers that inhibit justice, and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and continued efforts are to be maintained to strengthen protective behaviours and practices to ensure these are not diminished. The hearts you see in our artwork are some words given by Parents/carers and staff to show their understandings of what Reconciliation means to them, families taking time to get these words straight from their children’s understandings of what Reconciliation means to a 4 year old.
Organisation’s Description
Rockville State School is a small school with a diverse range of students and staff, having approximately 186 students and 38 staff. Our school has 45% indigenous enrolments and 12% EAL/D enrolments. Rockville State School is a school that puts a high value on every child’s education and development. We pride ourselves on being “a great place to learn” through the hands-on approach to learning, nurturing student development, encouragement, support and a strong focus on individual student needs.
Artwork Story
Keeping The Flame Alive. This story represents Aunty Deb Weatherall’s childhood growing up on the reserve with the elders in St. George. Aunty Deb is a proud Kamilaroi woman. Her story has been shared and been illustrated by the students of Rockville State School.
“Growing up with my elders, including my Nan and Pop, on the reserve, we were taught many things. We were taught how to swim because we lived so close to the water. We went to school with no shoes, and had to run on the hot sand. We would swim in the bore drain from town all the way to the reserve, then get out and run through the hot sand. This is shown on the canvas through the river and the children swimming in it. My grandmother is represented on the canvas, looking over the women as many saw her as the protector of them. She always had a bundi (big stick) in her hand to protect the women. They called her Queen Daisy Belle.
My grandfather, who was the last boy to be initiated in St George down Sandy Lane, would take the boys fishing by showing them where the fish traps were. Besides there were the scarred trees on the caves which he would show them. Later on, our brothers would go and get the fish and cook it on an open fire while the girls got the limes from the lime trees. When the quandongs were ripe, we’d take them home to our aunties to make tarts.The emu on the canvas reminds me of Nanna Mona who would send us girls to get eggs. We’d only take a couple and leave the rest. She’d make a cake and custard for us and taught us. This was a special treat. The other animals, the kangaroo, sand goanna and carpet snake represent the totems of the Kamilaroi tribe. We have to protect our dances and song. We protected our land and waterways, and share our stories, to preserve our culture and to pass onto our children. This is keeping the flame alive.”
- Aunty Deb
Organisation’s Description
Adapt Mentorship is an Indigenous social enterprise making a significant impact on disadvantaged youth and their families. As a catalyst for change, we strive to ensure every young person feels included in our community, no matter who they are or where they are from
Artwork Story
Our piece is a vibrant artwork created by local Indigenous youth in the Adapt Mentorship program. This piece celebrates culture, connection, resilience, and the strength of our voices, echoing the 2024 Naidoc theme. It is a symbol of Connection to Land, Sea and Community.
Organisation’s Description
Carbal’s Elders Group formed in 2021 as the result of the dedicated efforts from Carbal Outreach Officer Naomi Von-Nida. The group aims to serve as a healing circle and a place for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people to come together for friendship, yarning and cultural activities.
Participants are assisted in developing a further sense of purpose in their lives and has shown to help greatly with their overall social and emotional wellbeing. Referring patients through social prescribing recognises that people’s health is not only affected by physical and mental health issues, but also by a wide range of social, economic and environmental factors.
Artwork Story
Our hands are a symbol of belonging to the land. This way of belonging to the land is unlike the capitalist model of land ownership introduced by Europeans, thus Aboriginal people’s way of being is now foreign in our own land. Circles are used in our region to represent many important places such as sacred areas, waterholes, campsites and fireplaces. Aboriginal culture also believe time is never-ending/circular, thus we use circles as a representation of time. This concept is also in contrast to European’s linear measurement of time.
We wanted our piece to be simple yet informative by utilising the concept of this year’s NAIDOC theme to remember our culture through the concept of passing on knowledge around the fireplace.
Organisation’s Description
St Saviour’s College is a Catholic day and boarding school for young women in Years 7 to 12, centrally located within Toowoomba City. Established in 1873, it is one of Toowoomba's oldest schools, rich in tradition and history. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster caring and quality relationships, ensuring each student receives a holistic education that nurtures the heart, mind, and spirit. We honour the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy and their founder, Catherine McAuley, whose vision was to teach girls their value and worth. At St Saviour’s College, we are committed to continuing this mission, empowering young women to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Artwork Story
The Artwork was designed by Kyomie Deemal – Year 12 student at St Saviour’s College.
This artwork draws inspiration from the 2024 NAIDOC theme. The fascinating colours are rich reds, deep blues, and also vibrant yellows which represent the land, sea, and sun. The dynamic of this artwork includes swirling lines, and geometric shapes (circles) that symbolises the interconnection of our stories and traditions. The central flame which is the yellow represents the ongoing fight for recognition and justice, burning brightly with the strengths of our ancestors. My artwork aims to celebrate our heritage, increase the voices of our community, and showcase/represent our pride. Now we stand united, embracing our identity, and continuing the legacy our Elders left for the next generation.
Organisation’s Description
Concordia Lutheran College provides a unique co-educational setting for students from Kindy to Year 12, spread across three picturesque campuses in Toowoomba, Queensland. The College is known for its vibrant, inclusive, and friendly community. Each student is recognised as an individual with unique contributions. Concordia fosters the development of students’ specific strengths and talents, nurturing them into mature global citizens who are confident in their abilities and show compassion towards others. Boarding is available for boys and girls from Years 7 to 12 at our Stephen Street Campus. Boarders enjoy a nurturing ‘home away from home’ environment, receiving outstanding support and various activities to ease the transition to living away from family. Explore the exceptional opportunities available for your child at Concordia.
Artwork Story
The background colours represent the lands of the ATSI people, the Red into Orange is land upon which Aboriginal People Walk, live and gather food, and perform ceremonies. The green into blue represents the seas in which Torres Strait Island People travel, reside, gather food and perform ceremonies. The background colours symbolise our ‘country’ where we belong. The symbols in the centre circle represent First Nations People coming together, gathering at our meeting place. The fire represents the eternal flame by which we gather around to dance, to cook, to tell our stories. Our Elders, past, present and emerging are the ‘keepers of the flame’ for they pass on their knowledge and traditions from one generation to the next. The smoke represents a ‘Welcome’ and assists in ‘cleansing’ the area and the people of bad spirits and to promote the protection and well-being of visitors. As the smoke drifts through the air and across the countryside it carries with it the song lines of our ancestors and the knowledge that they have passed down through the generations as outlined in the words that you see in the smoke. Dreamtime, culture, tradition and ceremony are all integral to who we are and where we come from.
Georgina Connolly – Year 8 and Kara Tapou – Year 10
Concordia Lutheran College - Toowoomba
Organisation’s Description
Our school prides itself on providing the very best academic, vocational, cultural and sporting opportunities for our students. Wilsonton State High School offers a quality education to students in years 7 through to 12. At the heart of Wilsonton State High School is our motto, ‘Stand Strong, Stand Proud, Stand Together.’ This motto helps us shape our school environment where we believe that success and excellence should be sought after and practised. We have high expectations of ourselves and our students. Our staff take great pride in ensuring that the curricular and extracurricular aspects that are delivered are of a very high standard and we believe that the quality of our educational opportunities is second to none. Our staff are not only passionate and dynamic but also innovative in their approach to teaching and learning.
Artwork Story
The theme of this painting honours this year's Naidoc Week theme. I have included a large fire in the middle to symbolise the burning spirit. Surrounding the fire, I have included both young and older people sitting together, representing their pride in sharing stories, dancing, and simply being together on nights when they can gather. Paths or tracks lead back to the campsites, ensuring everyone knows the way home. The depiction of Aboriginal people dancing illustrates their pride in showcasing cultural dances that convey stories.
Everything in this painting tells a story. Mine is about how Elders and young ones cherish their homes and families. My artwork emphasises the importance of everyone, especially the Elders. You might ask how this connects to our school’s pride. Our school always strives to support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, promoting cultural awareness and equality. We love everyone equally.
- Harmonii Turnbull.
