A FORMER Padua College student is one of Victoria’s emerging designers whose VCE Media project will feature in the prestigious Top Designs 2026 exhibition at Melbourne Museum.
Jake Symes, who graduated from the college last year, created a film called ‘Embers of the Past’ as part of his VCE Media studies.
Filmed across the landscapes of Lutruwita/Tasmania, the project explores Symes’ Indigenous heritage while “exploring the remnants of a fading culture through reflective, speculative storytelling”.
Top Designs, developed with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority showcases projects from high-achieving students across government, independent, and Catholic schools.
Projects were chosen by expert panels from nine VCE and VCE VET design and technology subjects, with each reflecting distinct approaches to problem-solving underpinned by research, experimentation and technical skill.
Symes, 18, said he was thrilled to have his work selected, saying it was “definitely unexpected” after being encouraged by his media teacher to enter the exhibition.
“I wasn’t really expecting too much from it in all fairness… I put my film forward and it seemed like people liked it more than I thought they would actually, so I was pretty stoked,” he said.
The film, just under five minutes long, combines nature imagery and poetic voiceovers to share stories of memory and resilience.
“It’s a hybrid documentary about my Indigenous heritage being Tasmanian Aboriginal. And sort of about what happened in the past; a bit of like the story behind it, like the history of it all.”
He said the project involved a lot of planning while juggling VCE.
“I had to pre-plan a whole week’s worth of things that I had to film in my few days that I had in Tassie. Obviously, that never goes to plan, so I sort of just had to wing it and hope that I got all the things that I needed,” he said.
An accomplished guitarist, Symes will perform as part of the exhibition’s music showcase. He is now pursuing a double degree in music and arts at Monash University, majoring in psychology with aspirations of becoming a music therapist, while continuing to explore media through acting and other creative projects.
Top Designs 2026 opens on Saturday 11 April, and runs through Sunday 26 July at Melbourne Museum in Carlton. Tickets available online: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/
First published in the Mornington News – 17 March a2026
