Katrina is the year 9  Moruya finalist in this years 2018 Schools Reconciliation Challenge. Her teacher is Jo Best-McMahon.

“My artwork expresses the need for change and unity,” she said.

“The title refers to the ‘cloud’ that people speak, their ideas and plans for the future. By having two people of different gender, age and heritage speaking these words, it expresses the fact that it doesn’t matter if you’re different, together we can bring change.

“This relates to both reconciliation and the theme Our Voices, Our Future. In the work I also included Aboriginal symbols, this represents meeting of ideas and collaboration.

“The border signifies a connection to the land, and our need to protect it. Reconciliation means … coming together or uniting for change. It can also mean reuniting or restoring something that was lost.”

The Schools Reconciliation Challenge is an annual art and writing competition for primary and high school students across NSW and the ACT, hosted by Reconciliation NSW.

This year’s theme is ‘Our Voices, Our Future’. It is about celebrating the voices of young people and empowering students to recognise that their voices matter. 

Our Voices, Our Future is also about acknowledging and valuing the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples voices and perspectives within Australia’s national story and reconciliation journey.

This exhibition showcases young people’s visions for their futures and a reconciled Australia.

The Schools Reconciliation Challenge encourages young people to dream big and share their visions for our future and see the power that they have to effect change within their school and local community through their listening, words and actions.

The Challenge is facilitated through the Schools Reconciliation Challenge website. To find out more visit schoolsreconciliationchallenge.org.au