Armidale held the 2014 Fair Trading Centre NAIDOC Art Competition recently, and Inverell students shone in the awards.

For the first time, secondary students were included in the competition that was open to submissions highlighting the 2014 NAIDOC theme Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond, but others embraced a more personal subject.

Inverell High School swept the lot and took home an armful of awards and gift vouchers.

In the High School Students year 7 to 9 category. Nicole Williams, year 9, impressed the judges with her painting and took home a generous gift voucher. 

Lenikki Moore, year 9, took home second prize and fellow student Leticia Cocco won third. 

Mikayla Woodbury in year 7 had a painting that also made an impression and earned her a high commendation.

Ross Hill School had judges talking in the primary category. 

The sections for years 3 and 4 saw Peter Lombo and Liam Wyndham earn the first prize and Ross Hill class 3K have a highly commended entry. 

Ross Hill class 6G won the third prize for the years 5 and 6 section and Jovan Moore was highly commended. Ross Hill also received the award for Outstanding Participation by a School, and was presented with a $250 glass platter by Wathaurong Glass. 

NSW Fair Trading commissioner Rob Stowe attended the awards presentation and spoke of the value of the event. 

“This NAIDOC Art Competition makes a significant contribution to increasing the understanding and celebration of Aboriginal history and culture, and offers an opportunity for young and talented Aboriginal artists to gain recognition and exposure,” he said. 

The Art Competition is a Fair Trading initiative, first organised during NAIDOC Week in 2008, it is now supported by Housing NSW and the Armidale Dumaresq Council, coinciding with the Armidale Aboriginal communities, ‘A Day in the Dale’, NAIDOC Week celebration in September.