In the second year of a three-year contract with the National Australia Day Committee, a group of three staff and seven students from the Australian National University School of Art and Design produced the trophies, in which the constellation is subtly embedded in a newly configured cast glass body.

The head of the ANU Glass Studio, Associate Professor Richard Whiteley, who designed the awards with input from the team, said they had kept the previous basic rectangular shape and the light blue colour to represent the Australian sky.

The experience and processes for making the awards were in place after last year's event but the change in design meant there were new things to learn.

“We wanted to add additional layers to the form to represent the multi facets of Australian society, so we added more tessellations to the body of the trophy," he said.

Associate Professor Whitely said the process from design to completion took seven months. Finishing touches included adding the recipients' names.

"We finished them a week ago," he said.

Associate Professor Whitely said the participating students were chosen because they were able to put in the time, but all members of the Glass Studio benefited from following the creation process.

“On this project, the students honed their studio skills; grinding and polishing glass which is great for developing their technique, but what is unique is that they experienced a high-profile, professional project. It’s unprecedented professional experience for them," he said.

“To have a sense of how to manage projects like this, to see the pressure points, how to negotiate these without compromising the quality of the finished product and working to a strict deadline. It’s invaluable for them when they get out into the professional world."