Student Diary Artwork Competition

Voting for your 2027 student diary cover is now open!

We received so many incredible entries to the 2026 student diary artwork competition! Shortlisting down to 6 finalists was a challenge, but now it's over to you, the students, to vote for your winner!

View the entries and explanations, then submit your vote via the webform below. Voting will remain open until Sunday 27 September.

A whale and a turtle

Finalist 1

"Southern Cross University is where I found belonging. It gave me far more than a degree: it gave me a community when I needed one most. As a migrant to Australia, I had to build a new life and find where I belonged. On my very first day, I met another student who would become one of my closest lifelong friends. On day two, I met my future maid of honour...

...In the days and years that followed, I formed friendships that became family, and by my second year, I had met my future husband—all through SCU. 

Although I deeply miss my island home, living near Coffs Harbour constantly reminds me how connected the two places are by the ocean. That connection inspired my diary design. My artwork brings together memories from both homes: exploring rock reefs and hunting for octopus as a child, creating handmade posters to protect turtle nesting sites as a teenager, and now standing on Australian headlands watching whales migrate along the coast. 

Separated by thousands of kilometres yet connected by the oceans of the world, my two homes have shaped who I am today. SCU is the place that brought those two worlds together. 

Round painted circles

Finalist 2

"My artwork draws on the natural beauty of Coffs Harbour, using layered watercolour circles inspired by shells and the shifting colours of the coast. Warm tones in the upper half reflect the grounding light and landscape that have shaped my experience at Southern Cross University, while the cooler greens, blues and purples below symbolise the ocean, renewal and ongoing growth...

...Each circular form represents a stage of development — in learning, confidence and personal transformation. Just as shells form through time, pressure and movement, my journey at SCU has been shaped by new challenges, supportive communities and the continual process of becoming. The patterns and motifs within the circles echo this evolution, expanding and deepening as knowledge and self belief grow. 
Together, these elements express what SCU means to me: a place where environment, people and learning intertwine to create connection, opportunity and transformation."

An starring nightscape overlooking water

Finalist 3

"This artwork represents what SCU means to me: direction, growth, hope and a positive future. 
 
The Southern Cross in the night sky represents guidance and belonging. It reflects how SCU has helped me gradually find my direction while adapting to university life and a new environment. The sky becomes lighter near the horizon, and the golden light across the ocean suggests hope and a path towards the future...

...The ocean represents the changing experiences of university life. Like waves, there can be challenges and uncertainty, but these experiences also help us learn, adapt and become more confident. The plants and flowers in the foreground represent growth, while their different colours reflect the different people, experiences and opportunities that come together at SCU. 
 
The blue and teal tones connect the artwork with SCU and its coastal environment. The yellow, pink and orange details add warmth, happiness and optimism. Overall, the open coastline creates a peaceful but hopeful feeling. To me, SCU is a place where I can grow, find my own direction and look towards the future with confidence." 

A blue toned diary cover with rainbow lorikeet

Finalist 4

"Diversity, strength, and identity. The design represents SCU’s three main campuses Gold Coast, Lismore, and Coffs Harbour coming together as one university community. At the heart of the artwork is the Southern Cross, a symbol that reflects the history behind the University’s name and its place within Australia...  

...Surrounding it are elements inspired by the golden wattle, Australia’s national floral emblem. Its golden colour and resilience represent the strength, courage, and determination of SCU students as they pursue their goals and overcome challenges. The rainbow lorikeet represents the many abilities, talents, perspectives, and aspirations of students. Its vibrant colours reflect the diversity of SCU’s community, bringing together students from across Australia and around the world. 
 
The artwork also respectfully acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, recognising their enduring connection to Country, culture, knowledge, and community. This is an important part of representing SCU and its relationship with the regions in which its campuses are located. Overall, this artwork aims to show that although every student has a different story, we are connected under the same Southern Cross stronger together, diverse by nature, and united by our shared journey at SCU." 

A paper origami bird takes flight

Finalist 5

"To me this artwork is about creating your future with SCU. I chose an origami bird because origami begins as something and then slowly forms shape with each fold. I think of it the way as a student’s time at university. 
 
The different steps of the bird show development. Moving forward. At the start we might not be sure where we are going. Through learning, experience and help from others we slowly gain confidence and get more ready for what comes next...

...The dotted line shows that the path isn’t always a line. There can be changes, problems and different ways to go along the way. SCU can help students as they keep growing and learning. 
The finished origami bird flying shows being prepared to go. For me it shows how university can help shape us into the person we want to be and get us ready, for the future we want."

A surfer on a wave

Finalist 6

"This artwork represents what SCU means to me: gradually finding balance, confidence and direction while moving towards the future. The surfer represents students learning to adapt to change rather than being overwhelmed by challenges. The wave symbolises the opportunities, challenges and different stages of university life, while the rising sun and yellow accents represent happiness, optimism and hope...

...The open space creates a sense of calm, freedom and possibility, and the blue-green palette reflects SCU’s signature colours. “Find your wave. Find your way.” expresses the idea that every student has their own path, while SCU helps us find our own rhythm and direction for the future."

Agreement to be bound

  1. By entering the Student Diary Cover Competition (“Competition”), you ( “Entrant”) agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
  2. All information provided on the “How to Enter” section forms part of these Terms and Conditions.
  3. The Competition is promoted by Southern Cross University, (ABN 41 995 651 524), a body corporate incorporated under the Southern Cross University Act 1993 (NSW), of Military Road, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia (“University”).

Competition Period

  1. The Competition opens at 9:00am (AEST) on 12 January 2026 and closes at 11:59pm (AEST) on 6 September 2026 (“Competition Period”), unless otherwise varied, suspended, or cancelled by the University at its discretion.

Eligibility

  1. Entry is open only to currently enrolled students of the University.
  2. Employees of the University are not eligible to enter the Competition, unless they are also currently enrolled
  3. The University reserves the right to verify eligibility and may disqualify any entrant who does not comply with these Terms and C

How to Enter

  1. To submit an entry, you must submit your entry via the submission form on the University website, along with your name, student ID, course and a short statement about your work.
  2. The artwork theme is: "What does SCU mean to you?”
  3. The work must be an original piece produced by you and any elements contained within must be created by you.
  4. AI-generated entries are not permitted and will not be accepted. Entrants may be requested to provide working files to verify originality. Any entry found to be AI-generated may be disqualified and prizes revoked.
  5. Artworks must be culturally appropriate. Entrants are responsible for obtaining permission to use any cultural motifs, symbols or design elements in your work. Entries in breach may be disqualified.
  6. All artwork must meet the following specifications:
    1. Resolution: All submissions must be high resolution, preferably 300 DPI or higher. Please ensure any photographs of physical artwork are taken with a high-quality camera or scanner.
    2. Accepted File Formats: PSD, PDF, JPEG, TIFF, EPS, and AI are preferred. Other formats may be accepted upon request.
    3. Dimensions: Minimum size of 154 mm x 216 mm in portrait orientation.
    4. Safe Zone: Please include a 10 mm safe zone around all edges to ensure important content is not cut off during printing.
  7. Hardcopy submissions will not be accepted.
  8. You may enter as many times as you like.
  9. Entries that are incomplete, illegible, offensive, defamatory, unlawful, or infringe third-party rights will be ineligible.
  10. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any entries which breach the above requirements.

Rights and Licence

  1. By submitting artwork, you grant the University a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to:
    1. Use, reproduce, adapt, publish, communicate, and display the artwork for the purposes of administering and promoting the Competition;
    2. Use the artwork for university promotional, marketing, educational, and branding purposes, including on merchandise, publications, digital media, and internal or external communications; and
    3. Modify, adapt, or alter the artwork to suit University branding or production requirements, in consultation with the winner.
  2. Entrants retain moral rights, but waive the right to be identified as the author in certain uses where necessary for branding, production, or promotional purposes.

Liability and Waiver

  1. The University:
    1. Accepts no responsibility for entries not received for any reason during the Competition Period, including entries that are lost, late, misdirected, or corrupted;
    2. Is not liable for technical difficulties affecting the entry mechanism and does not warrant that the entry mechanism will be available at all times;
    3. Is not responsible for any disputes between entrants regarding originality or content of artwork; and
    4. To the extent permitted by law, excludes all liability for any loss, damage, or injury suffered by an entrant arising in connection with the Competition.

Privacy

  1. The University is collecting your personal information for the purposes of administering the Competition, contacting entrants and contacting winners.
  2. The University may also use your personal information for marketing and promotional purposes. You may request at any time not to receive direct marketing.
  3. You are not required to consent to direct marketing to enter the Competition. By providing your details, you acknowledge that the University may contact you for the purposes outlined above.
  4. The University will treat your information confidentially and will not disclose it for another purpose without your consent unless we are required to do so by law. To access or update your personal information, please contact orientation@scu.edu.au.
  5. Personal information will be handled in accordance with the University’s Privacy Management Plan. More information is available at edu.au/privacy or by contacting the Privacy Officer at privacy@scu.edu.au.
  6. Entrants who do not provide the requested personal information cannot participate in the Competition.

Winning and Prizes

  1. A panel of judges selected by the University (“Judges”) will choose the Top 6 Finalists from all eligible entries submitted during the Competition Period.
  2. The judging period will run during the week of 7 September 2026 to 10 September 2026 (“Judging Period”)
  3. Finalists will be notified by the University via email on 11 September 2026.
  4. Judges votes are based on personal preference, and their decisions are final and binding.
  5. Finalist entries will be posted on the University’s website and social media pages including Facebook and Instagram.
  6. The winner will be selected by currently enrolled students via online voting between 14–27 September 2026 (“Student Voting Period”).
  7. Student votes are based on personal preference, and the winning decision is final and binding.
  8. The student with the winning entry will be notified by the University via email by 2 October 2026 (5:00pm AEST).
  9. The winner’s name and entry may be published on the University’s website, Facebook page and shared other associated social media pages.
  10. Prizes:
    1. Winner: $1,000 VISA Debit Card.
    2. Remaining 5 finalists: $200 VISA Debit Card each.
  11. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable, and may be subject to taxation; winners are responsible for any applicable taxes.
  12. Prizes will be forfeited if not claimed by the winners within seven (7) days of being notified.

Disqualification

  1. The University may disqualify any entry that:
    1. Breaches these Terms and Conditions.
    2. Infringes intellectual property or other rights.
    3. Is offensive, defamatory, or unlawful.
    4. Is suspected of being AI-generated without appropriate verification.

General

  1. The University reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Competition at its discretion, including in cases of technical issues, force majeure, or other unforeseen circumstances.
  2. In all matters, all decisions of the University and its judges will be final and cannot be contested. All decisions regarding eligibility, entries, judging, and prizes are final. No correspondence or discussions will be entered into regarding any decisions and such decisions cannot be contested.