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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy

Visual Arts & First Nations (lower primary)

Available until 2 April 2026
Shelley Ware with Albert and Vincent, 2024. Vincent Namatjira OAM
Shelley Ware with Albert and Vincent, 2024. Vincent Namatjira OAM. © Vincent Namatjira/Copyright Agency, 2024

Bookings available - free

Make a booking and you will receive a link to the on demand video which will be available to watch until April 2026.

Shelley Ware and a National Portrait Gallery educator guide lower primary school students through a 45-minute online interactive session, celebrating this year’s NAIDOC theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. During the session, Ware shares her curated portrait selections, weaving in stories and activities that highlight the achievements and resilience of First Nations people. Students will engage with the portraits and participate in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of First Nations culture and history, inspired by Ware’s insights and experiences.

Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunyjatjara, Kokatha and Wirangu woman from Tandanya /Adelaide, who currently lives in Naarm/Melbourne. Ware is a radio and television presenter on AFL football news shows, including the groundbreaking SBS program The Marngrook Footy Show, and is a host on The Outer Sanctum podcast on Broad Radio. Ware is also an experienced and passionate teacher, dedicated to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture into classrooms and the national curriculum. She consults with schools, upskilling staff and leadership in Aboriginal history and culture, and hosts workshops in primary and secondary schools across Australia.

Materials Needed

To ensure all students can fully participate in the drawing activities, please have the following ready:

  • Paper
  • Pencils (coloured if you have them)

Teachers Note

We’ll be folding paper to create a square shape during the activity. If this step may be challenging for your class, feel free to prepare square pieces of paper in advance to make things easier.

Curriculum Connections

Learning areas: The Arts – Visual Arts

General capabilities: Creative and Critical Thinking

Cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Access information

Make a booking and the Gallery will email you details on how to view an on demand streaming video.

For access support or other ways to book please email bookings@npg.gov.au or phone 02 6102 7070 prior to your visit.

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency