Mirrabooka student Paige wins national NAIDOC design competition
Mirrabooka Y School student Paige has won a national NAIDOC t-shirt design competition, turning a journey of rebuilding confidence into a celebration of First Nations culture and community.
PEOPLE & COMMUNITY
A 16-year-old Mirrabooka student has won a national NAIDOC t-shirt design competition after creating artwork that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, connection and community.
Paige, a Yamaji Wangi woman and student at Y School, received the competition’s top prize of $1000. Her winning artwork will feature on the Y’s limited-edition NAIDOC shirts, which will be worn by staff, volunteers and supporters.
The competition was open to young creatives from across Australia and was inspired by this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”.
Paige’s design honours the leadership of Elders and the importance of passing cultural knowledge between generations. Hands in the artwork represent care and connection, while stars symbolise the deep knowledge of the land and sky.
A fire represents gathering places where stories, culture and knowledge are shared and passed down through generations.
For Paige, the national recognition represents more than an artistic achievement. It marks a major milestone in her personal journey since joining Y School in October 2025.
“Before joining the Y School, I was sad. I was a bit lost, and I had zero direction,” Paige said.
“I didn’t think that I deserved anything that I wanted and needed.”
She said the support she received at the school helped her see herself differently.
“And then I came here, and the staff said things like, ‘You’re so cool and amazing.’ I was so taken aback and confused, because no one had really verbalised those words to me before,” she said.
“I’m in such a good place now. Feeling a lot better, and I feel very supported. I know if I fall, there are people who will always help me back up.”
Y School principal Liz Parker described Paige as “a wonderful example” of what can happen when young people are supported, encouraged and given the opportunity to discover their strengths.
“Since joining the Y School, we’ve seen Paige flourish. Her confidence has grown; she’s embraced new opportunities, and we’re incredibly proud to see her creativity recognised through this award,” Ms Parker said.
Paige’s youth worker, Sabre Johnson, said she was proud to wear the artwork because of the powerful meaning behind it.
“Having faced many challenges, she has found that all she needed to access her considerable academic, creative and social talents was a supportive school environment,” Ms Johnson said.
“It makes me very happy to know that Paige trusts us to consistently be there when she needs support and cheer her on in her successes.”
Paige’s winning design will remain on display beyond NAIDOC Week as Y staff, volunteers and supporters continue to wear the shirts. The artwork will serve as an ongoing celebration of First Nations culture, creativity and community.
Y School provides an alternative education pathway for students in Years 7 to 12 who have experienced significant difficulty accessing mainstream education.
The Y WA is a community not-for-profit organisation that has operated in Western Australia for more than a century.
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