In summary

  • Kuku Kulunggur artist and Bachelor of Animation student Isabeau Colls has won the annual NAIDOC Week design competition
  • Three finalists were selected for the contest, run by the Moondani Toombadool Centre’s Indigenous Student Services team and supported by Swinburne Student Life.
  • Tote backs and shirts featuring the winning design will be available to pre-order from the Razor Shop.

Swinburne Bachelor of Animation student and Kuku Kulunggur artist Isabeau Colls has won the annual NAIDOC Week design contest, run by the Moondani Toombadool Centre’s Indigenous Student Services team.

Supported by Student Life, three Indigenous students were selected as finalists for the competition and featured on Swinburne’s Instagram account throughout NAIDOC Week. Colls’ design was named the winner after hundreds of votes were tallied from Swinburne staff, students and community members.

Colls won a $250 cash prize and tote bags and shirts featuring her design will be available to purchase from the Razor Shop.

In 2020, the competition was won by Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student and Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist, Katie Bugden, who also donated her time and talent to create the designs for bespoke Indigenous face masks which supported Swinburne Indigenous Bursaries.

Check out the 2021 winner and finalists below.

Winner - Isabeau Colls

‘I'm a Swinburne animation student wanting to fulfil my dreams of making my love for art out as a career.

‘Art is very important to me as it is my strongest outlet for my mental health. We all handle our own struggles in many ways and I choose to let myself go through my art.

Artwork by Isabeau Colls

‘For the theme “Heal Country”, I wanted to explore how Australia as a modern society continues to fail in conserving our land. From ignoring the climate crisis to the destruction of sacred indigenous sites, our fate has been at the hands of our oppressors. The only way we will be able to heal our beautiful country is by uniting and making active change to better our parliament.

‘My design visualises our impact on Australia, and how our leaders refuse to heal the country, for their own profit. Whether you see the hands in the background as a positive influence or negative influence is your choice. If we can bring our hands together and unite for the justice for our people, we will be able to heal country.’

Finalist - Emily Gittens

‘I'm Gumbaynggirr/Barkindji and I’m studying a double degree of Business and Design.

Artwork by Emilly Gittens

‘I wanted the artwork to connect all mobs and our connection to our country -  that being our land, culture, communities and countless other matters.

I've incorporated imaging which is universal to all of the above while using the snake as a symbol that connects them all and connects all of us.’

Finalist - Jack Dorgan

‘I am an Indigenous Australian born and raised in Echuca my whole life. I am a part of Wemba-Wemba on my father's side.

‘I only started creating artwork during 2020 to help give myself something focus on outside of the stress of year 12 and the pandemic. 

Artwork by Jack Dorgan

‘The t-shirt design is an artwork named “Elder”. I chose to focus on the idea of Elder in the artwork due to the roles elders have in the community, passing down the knowledge of our heritage of how the country used to work. By elders passing this knowledge down to the younger generation we are able to begin heal the country by understanding our role in it.

‘The tote bag design is an artwork named “Country”. It represents the current state of the country and how decayed it is. The other aspects show the state of the people of the country being disconnected from one another due to the suffering of the country itself and how without healing both the people and the country the damage and decay will never truly go away.’

Pre-order tote bags and T-shirts with the winning design at the Razor Shop.

Related articles

    • Student News

    Swinburne helps deepen multi-disciplinary understanding

    Swinburne recently hosted nine Indonesian students as part of the prestigious Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards, Vocational Edition (IISMAVO).

    Thursday 07 December 2023
  • His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley host an afternoon event for The Order of Australia Association Foundation Scholarship recipients at Admiralty House in Sydney.
    • University
    • Student News

    Order of Australia Foundation scholarship opens doors for Swinburne student

    Business and Health Science student  Chelsea Allen has been awarded a scholarship from the Order of Australia Association Foundation for being exceptional in her field of studies.

    Thursday 07 December 2023
    • Student News
    • University

    Swinburne celebrates 60 years of Work Integrated Learning

    Swinburne is celebrating 60 years of Work Integrated Learning and building on our rich history in this space to deliver on our strategic plan.

    Thursday 30 November 2023
  • Man standing in alley in traditional dress
    • Design
    • Student News

    Overseas internships open new doors

    As part of his studies, Swinburne student James Pappalardo completed an overseas internship, which he says has helped broaden his horizons and encourages more students to do the same.

    Thursday 26 October 2023
  • Teisha Damman and Pete Nikoletatos from TechnologyOne
    • Student News
    • Education

    Donor scholarship sets student on cyber security path

    Swinburne University of Technology have announced the inaugural recipient of the Adrian Di Marco Women in Software Development Scholarship, offered by TechnologyOne. The scholarship recipient is Teisha Damman, who is studying a Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology.

    Wednesday 25 October 2023