The Department of the House of Representatives is very pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Yarning competition.
The Yarning Competition aims to provide a platform for young First Nations Australians to connect with the work of the Australian Parliament by inviting them to share their unique stories and experiences through creative mediums such as written words, videos, photos, audio recordings and art. Students were able to choose from one of four themes on which to base their work: country and connection; identity and culture; family and community; reconciliation.
The competition was developed by Department of the House of Representatives with support from the Parliamentary Services Indigenous Employee Network and the APS Indigenous Senior Executive Service Network.
The competition attracted entries from across Australia. The four winners of the 2025 competition are:
Lincoln Frid
Age group: Year 7/8 Title: Family Foundations Theme: Family and Community Medium: Art 'Family Foundations portrays a story that represents my grandmother (Big Nan). My grandmother Theresa was a descendant of the Mandandanji People they're the traditional owners of Roma and surrounding. I am her grandson my name is Lincoln, I'm 13 years old, the artwork I painted was inspired by a snapshot of me and my grandmother out on country learning about our culture heritage.'
Brooke Dobson Age group: Year 7/8
Title: The Magpie and The Crow Theme: Country and Connection Medium: Art 'The story of the Magpie and the Crow is a story of two greedy brothers. The way I was told the story was that the two brothers amongst a tribe refused to help out for an upcoming ceremony. Whilst everyone was hunting or preparing things for this ceremony, the two brothers ran off to eat berries.'
Jedah-Rose Morea Age group: Year 9/10
Title: My Saltwater Country Theme: Identity and Culture Medium: Text 'This is my version on what being Indigenous means to me. 'My Saltwater Country' talks about how being a First Nations persons runs deep, that it runs deeper than my blood, but being Indigenous means that I have a connection and caring for my Country.'
Cleo Doyle
Age group: Year 11/12 Title: Ochre – Contemporary Aboriginal Dance Theme: Country and Connection Medium: Video 'My name is Cleo Doyle, and I am a proud Kamilaroi performer and choreographer with a deep passion for Aboriginal contemporary dance, based on Awabakal Country (Lake Macquarie/ Newcastle). My choreographic work 'Ochre' is a deeply personal and powerful reflection of my journey, reconnecting to culture and identity as a proud Aboriginal woman.' Later this month, the winners will attend a presentation ceremony at Parliament House hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Milton Dick MP. Their works will be on public display at Parliament House from Thursday 30 October to Sunday 9 November 2025. Full details of the competition are available at yarning.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au.
Press Gallery note:
Photography and interview opportunities: Presentation ceremony conducted by Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Milton Dick MP, Thursday 30 October, 10 am, Presiding Officers Exhibition Area, Level 1, Parliament House.
