Arthur Hamilton Award for "People, Culture, Country"
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 2, 11 April 2025, page no 21.
Congratulations to this year’s AEU Arthur Hamilton Award winners Christina Papadimitriou, Aunty Joan McKay and Bernadette Russell from Heatley Secondary College in Townsville.
The Arthur Hamilton Award is presented by the Australian Education Union in recognition of outstanding contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
This year's winners were honoured at the 2025 AEU Federal Conference for their “People, Culture, Country”project, which uses the medium of wearable art to promote inclusion and understanding of First Nations cultures within the school and the broader community and has led to improved student engagement and educational outcomes.
Students work alongside First Nations artists and Elders to create wearable art that celebrates Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures. This hands-on approach fosters a deep connection to First Nations heritage, encouraging respect for traditional custodians and open dialogue between those from diverse backgrounds.
The project integrates cultural learning into schools, equipping educators with skills to incorporate First Nations perspectives into their curriculum. It enriches students’ understanding of history, social studies, and art while promoting personal growth, inclusivity, and respect for diversity.
Since its 2018 pilot, the project has expanded from secondary to primary schools, reaching 27 schools across 10 North Queensland communities. To date, 1,473 students have created 116 wearable art pieces—tangible expressions of their learning and cultural connection.
The initiative’s core goals − Culture and Inclusion, Wellbeing and Engagement, and Educational Achievement − are realised through workshops that help students explore their identities, learn from First Nations artists, and express cultural narratives.
By fostering partnerships between schools, artists, and communities, the project creates lasting opportunities for collaboration and learning. It stands as an innovative model for reconciliation, enhancing cultural understanding and contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic society.
For more information click here (https://heatleysc.eq.edu.au/our-community/community-partnerships/people-culture-and-country).