About the Project
The Essendon North Primary School Uniform Design Project was a culturally grounded collaboration with over 150 students and staff to co-design a new school sports uniform that reflects identity, values, and connection to Country.
Working through a series of creative workshops, students explored themes of land, water, fire, and wind, producing more than 500 drawings that were then digitised and refined into four final uniform designs. Each design celebrates Woiwurrung language and culture, embedding the spirit of Country into the everyday life of the school.
The project resulted in vibrant, meaningful uniforms that express unity and respect while celebrating the diversity and strength of community.
Creative Process
With support from the Wurundjeri Council, the project incorporated Woiwurrung language into the names of the four new house groups:
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Gurrin (Wind)
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Baan (Water)
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Biik (Country)
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Wiin (Fire)
The design process combined hand-drawn student artwork, digital illustration, and cultural consultation to ensure authenticity and inclusion.
By transforming student sketches into cohesive digital compositions, each uniform design became a collaborative artwork — one that symbolises care for Country, teamwork, and pride in identity.
The colours and motifs of each uniform represent natural elements and stories connected to local landscapes and Wurundjeri Country.
From the Artist — Daen Sansbury-Smith (Adjadura Studio)
This project was about empowering students to see their creativity as a reflection of who they are and where they belong. It was inspiring to watch over 150 young artists contribute drawings that told their stories of Country, environment, and connection.
The process showed that design can be an educational tool — teaching respect, language, and cultural awareness through everyday objects like a school shirt.
Seeing the students wear these designs with pride reinforces how art and culture can build stronger, more connected communities.
Community & Partners
Developed in collaboration with Essendon North Primary School, Wurundjeri Council, and the school community.
This partnership demonstrates how creative learning, cultural expression, and education can come together to produce lasting impact — embedding First Nations language and stories into the fabric of school life, literally and symbolically.
