ACT Paint Australia Beautiful 2026 Finalist Profile

A closer look at nature can reveal a world worth protecting. At Caroline Chisholm School in Tuggeranong, Canberra, students are bringing that idea to life through a vibrant mural celebrating the region’s native and threatened species.

Designed by Year 7 students and painted collaboratively by students from Years 7 to 10, the mural is a celebration of local biodiversity and a reminder that even the smallest or least familiar creatures have a place in the natural world. For the school community, becoming an ACT state winner in the Paint Australia Beautiful campaign is an opportunity to recognise student creativity, strengthen community connections and bring environmental awareness into the everyday life of the school.

A school connected to its community and its landscape

Caroline Chisholm School opened in 1985 and has been part of the Tuggeranong community ever since. Named after pioneering humanitarian Caroline Chisholm, the school reflects values of community, opportunity and helping others. With 542 students from Preschool to Year 10, the school offers a distinctive learning journey in which students can grow within the same school community over many years. This continuity helps foster lasting relationships between students, staff and families, building a strong sense of belonging.

The surrounding landscape is an important part of that identity. Set in the Tuggeranong Valley, with views towards the Brindabella Mountains and close to Tuggeranong Hill and local nature reserves, the school sits among landscapes rich in native wildlife. Kangaroos, wombats, cockatoos and other native birds are part of the region’s natural character. Just as the local environment brings together diverse landscapes and wildlife, Caroline Chisholm School values inclusion, connection and respect for the different people who make up its community.

Looking closer at the natural world

The inspiration behind the school’s Paint Australia Beautiful mural was simple but powerful: encourage people to look more closely at the nature around them and recognise why it deserves protection. The artwork features local and threatened species, including the Earless Dragon, Caladenia cullata and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. These species bring the region’s biodiversity into focus, drawing attention to the remarkable plants and animals that can too easily go unnoticed.

A magnifying glass is a key symbol in the design. It represents the invitation at the heart of the mural: pause, look a little closer and discover more about the natural world. By drawing attention to species that may be unfamiliar or overlooked, the mural encourages viewers to appreciate the richness of local biodiversity and consider the importance of conservation. The project began with students developing ideas in their Art classes. Selected students then worked alongside Geoff Filmer to bring those ideas together into two final mural designs.

Geoff, a highly respected Canberra mural artist and founder of Graffik Paint, is leading the mural project. As both an experienced public artist and a parent within the Caroline Chisholm School community, he brings artistic expertise and a personal connection to the students and school. His work across Canberra reflects a passion for using public art to tell stories, strengthen communities and inspire young people.

Around 20 students are involved in the project, with Year 7 students responsible for the design and students from Years 7 to 10 collaborating to paint the finished artwork. It is a shared creative effort that gives students the opportunity to contribute to something lasting—an artwork shaped by their ideas and brought to life through teamwork.

Small actions, shared responsibility

At Caroline Chisholm School, environmental responsibility is closely linked to the school’s values of Responsibility, Respect and Perseverance. The school encourages students to reduce waste, recycle where possible, keep the grounds clean and make environmentally responsible choices in everyday life. These practical actions help students understand that caring for the environment is not limited to major projects or special events; it is something everyone can contribute to through their daily decisions.

Over recent years, sustainability has become a more visible part of school life, with growing attention to the impact of individual actions and the habits that help protect the local environment. The mural builds on this foundation by connecting those everyday choices to a bigger picture. Celebrating native and threatened species gives students a more tangible way to think about biodiversity and conservation, while the artwork offers a lasting prompt for conversations about the plants and animals that share their region.

A lasting legacy for future students

Taking part in Paint Australia Beautiful has brought students, staff and the wider school community together around a common purpose. The project has encouraged students to learn more about threatened species in the ACT and opened up conversations about biodiversity, conservation and the importance of protecting the natural environment.

Being named a state winner recognises the creativity, effort and teamwork behind the mural. Just as importantly, the project gives students a sense of pride in contributing to a lasting piece of public artwork. The school hopes the mural will inspire students, families, staff and visitors to discover more about the region’s unique wildlife and think about the role everyone can play in protecting it. Its message extends beyond the painted surface: environmental care begins with noticing what is around us, valuing it and choosing to look after it.

For Caroline Chisholm School, the mural is more than a celebration of local species. It is a legacy of student voice, creativity and shared responsibility—one that future students can continue to learn from. Sometimes, making a difference begins with something as simple as taking a closer look.