AWARD School state finalists announced

Written By Advertising Council Australia

VIC top 10 2025.

The Australasian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) has announced the state finalists vying to become AWARD School’s national top student in 2025.

Mathilda Grinling (NSW), Tate Crowley (VIC), Amelia Fynes-Clinton (QLD), Hayley Riessen (SA), Brendan Marshall (WA), and James Willis (Online) were honoured at graduation events held nationwide last night, each receiving the coveted AWARD School Gold Pencil in recognition of their standout creative portfolios.

Sharon Edmondston, AWARD School National and NSW Co-Head, said: “These six finalists have delivered work that’s smart, original, and packed with creative potential. To stand out from more than 200 students across APAC takes guts, ambition, and relentless thinking, and every one of them has earned their spot.”

Each finalist's work will now be reviewed by an international Super Jury, with the national top student to be announced at the 46th AWARD Awards on August 14 at This Way Up, Australia’s festival of creativity, in Sydney.

Scott Dettrick, AWARD School National and NSW Co-Head, added: “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s cohort. The calibre of work produced in just 12 weeks has been phenomenal, and it’s thanks to the tireless support of our tutors, mentors, speakers and judges who give their time and wisdom so generously.”

“AWARD School doesn’t just teach creativity,  it creates a pipeline of thinkers ready to shape the future of the industry. We can’t wait to see who from this group wins AWARD School 2025, and what everyone goes on to achieve next.”

Supporters of this year’s AWARD School program are Meta, Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) and Outdoor Media Association (OMA).

AWARD SCHOOL TOP STUDENTS BY STATE

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. Mathilda Grinling - Gold Pencil
    2. Keiron Lewis
    3. Jordan Watton

    TOP 10 (in alphabetical order)
    Cassandra Wait Hughes
    Christina Aliferis
    Lucy Gavan
    Michelle Tanner
    Sophie Klem
    Thomas Waddell
    Zac Robertson

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Mina Melis & Zeeshan Ali Khan

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. Tate Crowley - Gold Pencil
    2. Tom Habal
    3. Gemma Rio

    TOP 10 (in alphabetical order)
    Adam Fridman
    Bethia Connolly
    Darcy Keely
    Nick Buratto
    Noah Thompson
    Priscilla Cooper
    Tony King

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Sally Kingsford & Wieke Willemsen

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. Amelia Fynes-Clinton - Gold Pencil
    2. Quinn Beaulieu
    3. Ashleigh Hockings

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Ashleigh Hockings & Sammara Woolrich

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. Hayley Riessen - Gold Pencil
    2. Jaidan Juanta

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Hayley Riessen & Benjamin Anstey

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. Brendan Marshall - Gold Pencil
    2. Robert Nowland
    3. Aisha Runowanda

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Brendan Marshall & Aisha Runowanda

  • TOP STUDENTS
    1. James Willis - Gold Pencil
    2. Sarah Newbery and Thomas Barton (tie for second place)

    TEAM BRIEF WINNERS
    Veronica Yudhistantra & Richard Roach

  • NEW SOUTH WALES
    Leo Burnett
    The General Store - highly commended
    M+C Saatchi - highly commended

    VICTORIA
    Dentsu Creative
    Fenton Stephens
    Town Square - highly commended
    Clemenger BBDO - highly commended

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