Students from a remote Western Australian school dominated national arts competitions in 2025, with two claiming the country’s top Indigenous honours and more than 20 receiving recognition across multiple national and regional programs.
Fitzroy Valley District High School sent four students on a 6,000 km round trip to Melbourne for the Young Australian Art & Writers Awards gala, according to the Department of Education.
Top national honours awarded
Year 7 student Lyla Boland received the Young Australian Indigenous Writer of the Year 2025 title for The Snake in the Gloomy Cave, a piece inspired by her own artwork. Year 6 student Anthony Collard was named Young Australian Indigenous Artist of the Year 2025 for The Emu at the River.
The Young Australian Art & Writers Awards, supported by the Children’s Charity Network and OzKids, also recognised Ocean Myers with the Judges Art Award for Community Celebrations. Grayson Green and Ikeem Brown won first place in the junior and senior categories with The Balga and Flying over the Kimberley.
A further six students received regional writing and art awards, while 13 had their stories published in the OzKids printed edition.
Regional writing awards went to Hailey Fredericks James in Year 10, Helouise Oscar in Year 7, and Daisy Brooking in Year 3. Regional art awards were presented to Surahanni Pindan in Year 10, Zileah Gordon in Year 10, and Genesis Nagomara in Year 8 from Wangkatjungka Remote Community School.
Recognition extends beyond program
Thirteen Fitzroy Valley students were named finalists in the City of South Perth Art Awards. Harley Green won first prize in the First Nations Artist category, while Ocean Myers received a Highly Commended in the Secondary School Artist category.
Students Mila Philips and Kazziah Gordon also had artworks selected from more than 5,000 entries for the Australian Conservation Foundation’s 2025 Wild at Art exhibition.
The school also received recognition in both the primary and secondary categories of YOH Fest 2025, competing against public and private schools from across Western Australia.
Years of dedication recognised
Principal Jannette Hindmarsh said the achievements reflected years of sustained dedication from students and staff.
“I’ve had the privilege of observing these students and their teaching over time, and watching their skills grow has been inspiring,” Hindmarsh said.
“Their creativity, resilience, and pride in their identity shine through in their work. Seeing them gain recognition at this level is a reminder of what’s possible when we nurture talent and provide opportunities for our young people to thrive.”
She said the achievement represented more than artistic success.
“This achievement is not just about art – it’s about voice, representation, and the power of education to uplift and connect,” she said.
Student works can be viewed on the OzKids website.