Two talented Year 11 students from the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese have been selected to design the official logo for the 2025 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Assembly.
Tilly Moore and Wirikah Knox, students at Catherine McAuley College in Medowie, created the artwork chosen from a strong field of entries submitted across the diocese. The selection panel praised their design for its powerful reflection of the assembly’s theme and its rich cultural and spiritual symbolism.
Aunty Louise Campbell, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council, presented the students with their award at a ceremony held at Catherine McAuley College. She commended the pair for their “outstanding piece” and highlighted the meaningful contribution their work makes to an event that brings together Aboriginal Catholics nationwide.
“This artwork beautifully complements the theme of the 2025 Assembly and the Jubilee Year theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’” Aunty Louise said. “It will help share the story and spirit of Aboriginal Catholics in a way that is authentic, creative, and deeply rooted in culture.”
The logo will feature prominently throughout the assembly, including on the national NATSICC website, official programs, and merchandise such as T-shirts.
Supported by their families at the presentation, Tilly and Wirikah spoke modestly about their creative process. “We used different symbols to connect Aboriginal art with our Catholic faith,” said Tilly. “Fire represents Pope Francis’s call to ‘fan the flame of hope.’ The footsteps symbolize the local Worimi people walking with God, and the cross represents our shared Catholic identity.”
The close friends combined their individual artistic talents to produce a unified and meaningful design that embodies the spirit of the event.
The Maitland-Newcastle Diocese will host the NATSICC Assembly on the lands of the Wonnarua people at Rydges Hunter Valley from September 29 to October 3, 2025.
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