Indigenous influence honoured

Newton Moore Senior High School has broken new ground by incorporating an Aboriginal art design into its leavers’ jackets in the school’s 50th year.

Year 12 student Tahlia Bennell, the daughter of prominent Bunbury artist Troy, created the design which features on the sleeves of the jackets.

“I always wanted to incorporate an indigenous design into our uniforms,” she said.

“The design represents indigenous and non-indigenous people coming together as one.

“It also has a ripple effect because we are close to the beach.”

The jackets arrived last week and Tahlia said it “feels pretty amazing” to be wearing her own design.

She also joked that her dad liked the design so much he wanted his own jacket.

Fellow design committee member Teia Cortis also believed the design helped to promote equality in a school with a strong indigenous student base.

“It is great for the school as well because it shows everyone is the same and nobody is different,” she said.

The jackets are reversible to allow them to be worn in summer as well.

The back of one side features the names of all Year 12 students and the other has a student’s nickname.

Tahlia hopes the design will also encourage other schools in Bunbury to follow suit.

Next week is also NAIDOC Week, a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.