First Nations artist and designer Simone Thomson has been named the First Peoples prize winner in Museums Victoria Gold Jewellery Acquisitive Prize.

Thomson is a Naarm-based artist and Traditional Owner of Victoria's Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta-Yorta language groups.

A new award recognising excellence and innovation in conceptual jewellery design, the Museums Victoria Gold Jewellery Acquisitive Prize offers a platform for jewellers and creative practitioners to push boundaries in jewellery design, craft and storytelling with an invitation to respond to the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection.

The prize was awarded in three categories including, Major Prize, First Peoples Prize and Emerging Prize.

This year the Major Prize winner was Laura Deakin with her piece the Diggings Ring, the Emerging Prize winner was Lou Wheeler with their piece the Safest Investment and finally, First Peoples Prize winner was Thomson for her piece, Boorndup Biik.

The First Peoples Prize is $15,000 and covers the commission of the proposed piece and its acquisition into the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection, The First Peoples Prize was created especially for jewellers and creative practitioners who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

"The concept is called Boorndup Biik, which means respect country. Creating a beauatful piece which stands for the resilence of the animal the echidna and what that animal can withstand within country and also the dispossession and the heartache that is being caused to country through mining," Thomson said.

"It represents so much more than just jewellery, it represents culture and that is everything to First Nations people."

Thomson's piece along with other winners has been acquired into the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection and is set to go on display in 2026.

The Museums Victoria Gold Jewellery Acquisitive Prize places emphasis on the concept and narrative behind the jewellery and adornment pieces and encourages applicants to explore perspectives that are missing from the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection - including those of First Peoples.

The prize has been established to enrich the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection with contemporary perspectives on the Victorian gold story and showcase creative talent," said Museums Victoria chief executive officer and director Lynley Croswell.

"The collection is extraordinarily rich and beautiful, but we hope to add pieces that discuss impacts on First Nations people, migrant communities, and the environment."

The Museums Victoria Gold Jewellery Acquisitive Prize will run next in 2027.

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