The Clancy Prize, for religious art, is open to all students from secondary schools in the Sydney Archdiocese. 

Every year the Catholic Education Office sets a theme and this year’s theme was a quote from St Francis of Assisi, “Be praised lord for the gift of life, for changing dusk and dawn, for touching scent and song.” 

Lily grew up in Bombala and studied at Bombala High School before attending boarding school at St Scholastics College, Glebe.

The 18-year-old had just finished her High School Certificate, when she decided to enter a series of oil on canvas works she had created in her final year. 

The artworks depicts the rolling hills of the Monaro and she said the work was inspired by her many trips to and from boarding school. 

“The pictures have a lot of roads in them and I guess I was travelling a lot that year from home to boarding school,” Lily said. 

“After living in the city you kind of become more aware of how beautiful the landscape is when you come home and you get a better appreciation for what you used to see everyday.”

Lily used a pallet knife to create the rugged hills of the Monaro and was inspired by the works of Bibbenluke artist Lucy Culliton. 

Lily said she was overwhelmed to discover her works won the prestigious award in March and will use the $2000 prize money to assist her travel overseas this year, before she begins her Visual Arts Degree next year. 

“I’m planning on taking a year break and continue to paint,” she said. 

“I’ve been accepted to the Australian Nation University and next year I will start my Bachelors Degree in Visual Art.”