An artwork highlighting the importance of Reconciliation Day is now on display on the inside of an iconic Canberra bus shelter.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Suzanne Orr today unveiled a painting of the 2024 Reconciliation Day School Poster Competition winning design to the interior of the Macquarie bus shelter, at the front of Canberra High School.

Schools were invited to enter a Reconciliation Day Poster Competition, with the major prize including display of a design in the Canberra community and $1000 for the winning student’s school.

The winning artwork was designed Canberra High School Year 10 student Harper Hudson. The design was painted onto the interior of the bus stop by Indigenous Contemporary Art’s Eddie Longford.

“It’s wonderful to see this collaboration between Harper and Eddie, in the spirit of the Reconciliation Day theme ‘Now More than Ever’,” said Minister Orr.

“I congratulate Harper and give my sincere thanks to Eddie for his skill in transferring Harper’s design onto the bus shelter.”

Harper also won Canberra High School a $1000 prize, which was spent on the school’s Reconciliation Garden and a painting. The school also received a canvas of Harper’s design to be displayed within the school for years to come.

Minister Orr said Harper’s artwork would spark conversations about the path to reconciliation.

“We need to be having conversations about reconciliation in our community, not just on Reconciliation Day but throughout the year,” said Minister Orr.

Quotes attributable to Selina Walker, Co-Chair ACT Reconciliation Council:

“I’m very impressed with both Harper’s design and Eddie’s skill in transferring it to a curved surface at such a different scale.

“Part of my role on the Reconciliation Council is to promote conversations about reconciliation throughout the year, and initiatives like this help those conversations to start.

“It’s big and bold, the way we all need to be to embrace the spirit of reconciliation, with vibrant colours nobody can ignore, that express the importance of those conversations we need to have.

“The more we have conversations about reconciliation, the further we progress into having a cohesive and united community in which to raise our kids, where their history is acknowledged, and the importance of culture and history is expressed.”

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