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In a showcase of talent and cultural heritage, Year 11 Boarder, Kaylah Daniel-Stafford, has once again made a mark in the Â鶹ÊÓƵOpen Art Prize, exhibiting a captivating painting that represents her cultural heritage from Kowanyama. Titled ‘Lilies in the Water,’ her piece holds significant personal and cultural meaning for Kaylah, as water lilies, known as ‘Maycheltrukeliy’ in the Kokoberra language, are her totem, given to her by her great-grandmother. ‘My grandmother does paintings as well and I was really inspired by her at a young age, and I want to be as good as her one day,’ Kaylah shared, reflecting on the familial legacy that ignited her passion for art. Kaylah’s piece stood out among 200 other submissions in the exhibition, earning her the inaugural Student Encouragement Award, a new honour donated and selected by curators Sandy Pottinger and Sue Lostroh, both alumnae of Â鶹ÊÓƵCollege. ‘I put a lot of work into it, many hours, and I can see it hanging in somebody’s home,’ Kaylah remarked with a blend of pride and humility. Despite her artwork not being sold, she found solace in the thought of gifting it to her great-grandmother, who not only shares her name but also serves as a profound source of inspiration. ‘My grandmother who is an inspiration said she really loved the piece also, and she helps me by telling me stories about my culture which inspires my work and express it in artistic form,’ Kaylah explained. Her connection to her culture is palpable in her art, especially in her depiction of the wet season when water lilies bloom among the rivers. ‘It makes me miss home, because during the wet season my dad would take us to drive to see the water lilies,’ she reminisced. Currently, she is working on a new piece for an upcoming exhibition with her grandmother, focusing on a landscape series that depicts how the country speaks. ‘I really want to pursue my art and be known in the art world.’

Kowanyama means ‘place of many waters’ in the Yir Yoront language. In the Barumggam language, Toowoomba means ‘the swamp’. Two places 2100km apart, but both mean home to five of our Boarders. A group of girls gathers in Daisy Culpin Courtyard getting ready for dinner in the Dining Hall. On the menu tonight is Butter Chicken, a favourite amongst the Boarders. ‘I love Joe’s Butter Chicken!’ says Janae Mango. Janae, along with Tilayla and Tisharni, Josiah and Kayla and Yas Daniel- Stafford, hail from Kowanyama – 28 hours and 2100km away. Distance means there are no visits home during the school term. And, whilst the girls each have their own stories and backgrounds, they are united in the common experience of being away from their families. They have learned to navigate the challenges of school life and homesickness, and in doing so have forged new friendships and discovered their own strengths. They have come to realise that this far-off place – the Â鶹ÊÓƵBoarding House – has become their home away from home, a place where they belong. As the term is drawing to a close, the girls are getting excited about going home. Kayla can’t wait to sleep in her own bed, Yas is looking forward to waking up whenever she wants, Tisharni is excited to see her family and pets, while Janae and Tiayla are both planning on fishing and camping. ‘I can’t wait to eat the salty plums from home, seeing my family, just being in the bush, being able to go camping and fishing. Just all the normal stuff from home,’ Tilayla says. Acting Deputy Head of Boarding, Mrs Kylie Wallis, said, ‘like many of our boarders, the girls fom Kowanyama struggled with being away from home, missing the familiarity of their community and the comfort of being surrounded by family and friends. However, over time, the girls began to form close bonds with their fellow students and the staff at the Boarding House, creating a sense of community and belonging that helped to ease their homesickness.’ Yas and Kayla shared their experiences of adjusting to Boarding School. Yas initially found missing her family and her community difficult. However, over time, she began to form great friendships, participating in activities like sport and art that helped her feel more connected to her new environment. ‘I still miss home,’ Yas says, ‘but I also love my friends here and all the things we do together. Plus, my sister is here, so when I get really homesick, I go and hang out with her.’ Similarly, Kayla missed the landscape of her community. ‘I miss seeing the stars at night and going to the river near our community,’ she says. ‘But now I’ve made friends here, and my sister is here, so when I feel like I am missing my home, I go and see her or I go for a walk outside with my friends.’ As the term comes to an end, they are excited to return home, but also grateful for the experiences and if homesickness kicks in, the girls find busying themselves in the plethora of activities in the Boarding House helps. Every weekend, there are craft afternoons, excursions, sporting opportunities and a host of other activities the girls can participate in. The Â鶹ÊÓƵBoarding House has become a place where these girls feel a sense of belonging, and they have learned to overcome homesickness by forming strong bonds with their fellow students and staff. From Â鶹ÊÓƵto their Kowanyama home, one thing is for sure – the girls are looking forward to seeing their family and friends these Easter holidays.

Community, expression, and connection are the key messages from the inspiring artwork Year 7 artist, Nellie Saltner, has created, and which has been chosen as a finalist design for the Queensland Reds 2023 Indigenous jersey. Nellie chose to represent those suffering from domestic violence. ‘Indigenous art is centered on story telling, and I wanted this piece to give those that may not be strong enough to speak up, the knowledge that they have a voice.’ Other elements include pink dot work, honouring those that have or are suffering from breast cancer, as well as the connection of community groups through the circles of white dots. Nellie said she would be immensely proud to see her creation transformed into a Reds jersey. ‘Whether my artwork is chosen or not, I’m very proud of myself for having the courage to pick up the paintbrush and give it a go.’ A proud Wakka Wakka woman, Nellie says her passion for Indigenous art was ignited when she began as a Boarder at Â鶹ÊÓƵCollege this year. ‘I’ve felt very supported and encouraged by the entire Â鶹ÊÓƵcommunity and that is what makes me want to keep creating,’ Nellie said. Nellie says for her painting is therapeutic; ‘it helps me escape reality and gives me a connection to the meaning behind what I’m creating.’ She offers this piece of advice for first-time painters. ‘You just have to have a steady hand, be patient and let your dots dry before starting a new section and use the end of the paintbrush not the bristle.’