AWARD School 2025 national winner announced
Mathilda Grinling from New South Wales has been named AWARD School’s national top student for 2025.
The announcement was made at the 46th AWARD Awards held at This Way Up on Thursday night.
Grinling was selected from more than 200 students across the Asia Pacific and awarded the AWARD School Ray Black Pencil.
She was also named the winner of the national Outdoor/Billboard brief for creative that was clear, crisp, and quickly conveyed its concept.
"It feels unbelievable. I’m so grateful. I was up against so many amazing creatives. It’s such a surprise and such a blessing," Grinling said.
State finalists include Tate Crowley from Victoria, Brendan Marshall from Western Australia, Amelia Fynes-Clinton from Queensland, Hayley Riessen from South Australia, and James Willis, who topped the online program.
Other 2025 national brief winners include Mina Melis and Zeeshan Ali Khan for Team Brief, Tony King for Audio, and Sunil Thomas, who clinched the top honour with a standout creative response to this year’s Social Media brief.
AWARD Chair Mandie van der Merwe, Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, said:
“The judges were blown away by Mathilda’s creative thinking. Her portfolio blended sharp strategic insight with fresh, unexpected ideas, which, as a combination, set her apart.
“It showed strong lateral thinking, thoughtful craft, and a distinct creative voice, making her the clear choice for 2025’s national top student. She thoroughly deserves this recognition, and congratulations to all our outstanding finalists.”
Speaking about the work that earned her the win, Grinling reflected on one campaign in particular. "It was my integrated campaign for Afterpay," she said. "The line was Go All The Way With Afterpay, a B2B callout. I sent condoms out in a mailer pack. I loved that one. So, yeah… Afterpay, hit me up.”
Where does she want to be in the near future?
“My goal is to be an Art Director, working for someone who is passionate. I want to know that the work I’m making is going somewhere. I want to make meaningful work, the kind that people talk about at the pub! That’s the dream.”
AWARD and Advertising Council Australia would like to thank this year’s school heads, tutors, and speakers for continuing to make the AWARD School program a success, and all its sponsors - Meta, OMA and CRA for their support of this year’s creative briefs and more broadly, the next wave of creative talent.\
All students’ work can be viewed on the AWARD School website.
