How the names were chosen

Evelyn Scott School was selected by the community as the name for the new school.

At the request of the Minister for Education, the Directorate asked the Office of the Surveyor-General and Land Information and the Place Names Committee for school name options, including Indigenous females and others known for reform and activism.

Family members were consulted to obtain their support to have the name considered as one of the options for the new school.

The options were:

  • Isabel Coe School
  • Ngingali Cullen School
  • John Budby School
  • Arnold Hunter School
  • Evelyn Scott School


Image kindly provided by the family of Evelyn Scott.

About Dr Evelyn Scott AO (1935 - 2017)

Dr Evelyn Scott AO was an advocate for reconciliation and the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and women for more than 30 years.

Her advocacy began in the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advancement League in the 1960s. She was active in the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) and the landmark 'Yes' campaign for the 1967 Referendum.

Scott campaigned for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef and was a member of the Marine Park Authority board from 1996-2007. She was Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Woman from 1994 and Chair of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council, established in 1991, between 1997 and 2000.

During her term 250,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the Walk for Reconciliation, Corroboree 2000, in support of meaningful reconciliation between Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Scott was awarded honorary doctorates from the Australian Catholic University and James Cook in recognition of her significant lifelong contribution.

In 2003 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through leadership in the area of reconciliation, as an advocate for the empowerment of indigenous women, and as an instrumental figure in the establishment of legal, housing, employment and medical services for indigenous communities.

A tribute to Evelyn Scott is featured within the artwork in Reconciliation Place, Canberra.

Choosing a new name and uniform

The survey we used to ask the community to choose a name and uniform is below. Thank you again to those who gave feedback.