Students at Collarenebri Central School surprised their families with a unique gift as part of a special ceremony celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC last week.

The Talking Portraits project saw the school partner with artist, photographer and film-maker Henry Simmons to create unique NAIDOC-themed images of each student.

Principal Natalie Cavaleri said Aunty Ros McGregor from the Collarenebri AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group), Mr Simmons and the project team had worked closely with students to bring the project to fruition.

“The project aimed to document the strength, vision and legacy of ‘the next generation’ and their families, while preserving important cultural knowledge and oral histories,” she said.

“Students worked with Aunty Ros and Mr Simmons to think about their identity, before hand-drawing anecdotes, drawings, quotes and knowledge on their photographs.

“All 60 portraits of students were then framed and gifted to the families of the students at our NAIDOC assembly on Wednesday 2 July.

“What we have demonstrated is the heart of the NAIDOC theme and what our dhiiyaan, family, means to our students and community.”

Ms Cavaleri said Mr Simmons had also supported the school to create a short film about the making of the project, documenting the skills and knowledge learned and shared by students and their Elders.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025 is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.