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Young Voices Art Showcase

Get creative. Share your thanks. Show your appreciation.

Young Voices Art Showcase

This Thank a First Responder Day, Fortem Australia invites children and young people across Australia to get creative and share their thanks through art.

From colourful drawings, paintings and photography to digital designs, every artwork is a powerful way to express appreciation and gratitude for the first responders and families who support our communities every day.

Create with purpose

The Young Voices Art Showcase gives children and young people an opportunity to express gratitude in a meaningful, creative way – helping first responders feel seen, valued, and supported.

We encourage artists to use the Thank a First Responder Day logo and the colour teal as inspiration as they bring their ideas to life. There’s no right or wrong way to create, just heartfelt thanks, expressed in your own unique style.

As a special thank you for their creativity, two artworks will be selected to each receive a $200 book voucher.

2026 award recipients

Fortem CEO award

Thank You

Jiaai, Age 10

Artist description: Because of you, we feel safe.

Jiaai’s artwork captured the sense of safety, comfort and reassurance that first responders provide to families and communities every day.

Mick Willing selected the artwork as the recipient of the Fortem CEO Award, saying: “This artwork beautifully captures something many first responders rarely get to see, the impact they have on families and communities. The contrast between the safety inside the home and the challenges being faced outside is incredibly powerful. It also reflects the sacrifice first responders make, often missing moments with their own families while helping to keep others safe. Jiaai’s artwork reminds us that behind every emergency response is a family, a community, and a sense of safety made possible by the dedication and sacrifice of first responders.”

Children and Family Ambassador Award

Thank You

Play and Learn, Age 4 (Group Entry)

Artist description:  At Play and Learn, we collaborated with the Pre-Prep 2 children to create a meaningful group artwork inspired by first responders in our community. Through conversations about the important roles first responders play, the uniforms they wear, and the vehicles they use, the children shared their ideas, knowledge, and appreciation. These discussions inspired the final artwork, which also includes heartfelt words of thanks to recognise the dedication and service of our community heroes

Piper Johnson selected the artwork as the recipient of the Children and Family Ambassador Award, saying: “Their collaborative artwork really moved me and I was really impressed by their passion for first responders from such a young age.”

Runner Up

Black Summer: Holding the Line
Matilda, Age 14

Matilda’s artwork was recognised as the runner up in this year’s showcase for its powerful portrayal of the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by firefighters and emergency crews during the Black Summer bushfires. Through striking imagery and emotion, the artwork captured both the scale of the challenge faced by first responders and the lasting gratitude felt by communities they protected.

Special Recognition

Mark Oliphant College

Fortem Australia would also like to acknowledge Mark Oliphant College for its exceptional support of the Young Voices Art Showcase. The school demonstrated a remarkable commitment to encouraging creativity and community appreciation, inspiring students to reflect on the important role first responders play in keeping Australians safe. Their enthusiasm and participation made a meaningful contribution to this year’s showcase.

Theme

Thank you, first responders 

Artwork should reflect appreciation, gratitude, and community connection. 

Artists may choose to depict: 

  • Acts of kindness or helping others 
  • What first responders mean to their community
  • Messages of thanks or support 

Use of the Thank a First Responder Day triple zero with heart logo or the colour teal is encouraged.

Eligibility
  • Open to artists aged 4–18 years
  • One entry per artist  
  • Entries may be submitted by a parent, legal guardian, school, early learning centre, or community group
  • Artwork must be the artist’s original work 
Artwork requirements
  • Flat artwork only (no 3D items) 
  • Accepted formats include:  
    • Drawing
    • Painting
    • Collage
    • Photography
    • Digital artwork
  • Preferred size: up to A3, landscape orientation preferred
  • Digital entries must be submitted as a clear, high-quality image or scan 
Submission requirements

Each entry must include:

  • A photo or scan of the artwork
  • Artists first name and age 
  • Parent or legal guardian contact details 
  • School or community group name (if applicable) 

Entries must be submitted via the nominated online submission form by the advertised closing date. 

Key dates
  • Entries open: Friday 1 March 2026 
  • Entries close: Sunday 24 May 2026
  • Selected artworks announced: Monday, 8 June 2026
  • Thank a First Responder Day: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 
Selection and use of artwork

Artwork will be selected based on creativity, effort, and how the theme is expressed, taking age into consideration. 

Selected artworks may be: 

  • Featured on Fortem Australia’s website and social media channels 
  • Displayed at Thank a First Responder Day events or community activations 
  • Included in a Thank a First Responder Day calendar 
  • Included in Thank a First Responder Day collateral (e.g. Thank you cards, posters) 

Two artworks will be selected by a judging panel made up of Fortem Ambassadors and Fortem Directors to receive a $200 book voucher.

Permissions

By submitting an artwork, the parent or legal guardian: 

  • Confirms the artwork is the artists original work  
  • Grants permission for Fortem Australia to reproduce, publish, display and use the artwork for promotional and fundraising purposes related to Thank a First Responder Day, including use in printed and digital materials, calendars, merchandise, marketing campaigns and other communications.
  • Acknowledges that submitted artwork will not be returned

Artists will be credited by first name and age only. Surnames will not be published.

Child safety and privacy

Fortem Australia is committed to child safety and privacy. No identifying personal information about children will be publicly shared. Artwork will be used respectfully and in line with these guidelines.

Submissions for the Young Voices Art Showcase have now closed.