Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship

Our mission is to connect our regional community to Indigenous expression and art through supporting the culture, arts and creativity of Australia’s First Nations people.

The scholarship program is designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design in New South Wales. Greater Bank will provide a $10,000 scholarship to support the winner’s creative aspirations, with guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre.

The program consists of nine differing creative discipline categories that are open for applications including: fashion design, accessory design, art painting, music, dance, writing, digital art, film and photography.

The finalists, one from each field will get to share their craft and obtain sound advice from a leader in their field.

An independent panel comprising leaders in the Indigenous and artistic communities will select a finalist from each category, with the winner to be announced at an event at Murrook Cultural Centre in Port Stephens during NAIDOC Week – 2 to 9 July 2023.

Scholarship applications have now closed. Finalists in the nine creative disciplines, along with the recipient of the scholarship will be announced at the event in NAIDOC Week and on this page.

A $10,000 Scholarship from Greater Bank

A mentoring session with a leading voice from their creative discipline

Guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre and the use of their facilities

Finalists

The program has unearthed a wealth of creative talent across the state with more than 70 quality entries received, from which the committee had the unenviable task of selecting nine finalists and the eventual scholarship recipient. We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the entrants and finalists of the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship. Congratulations on your journey to date and we look forward to following your careers and future endeavours of these remarkable artists. Each of the nine finalists will gain access to mentorship from a creative leader in their chosen field to support their creative dreams.

Bernard Kelly-Edwards

Bernard Kelly-Edwards is a single dad and digital artist, who belongs to the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Dhunghutti Nations on the mid north coast of NSW. Bernard’s art incorporates textures and colours inspired by Mother Nature. He is also the Founder of BKE Consultancy, which is a service of rich cultural knowledge supporting deeper awareness of individual or group growth.

Brooke Scobie

Brooke Scobie is a queer Goorie (Bundjalung) single mum, poet, writer, and podcaster, living on Darkinjung land. Their work is a powerful love letter to Country and to those marginalised by society, featured in prestigious publications like Overland Journal, Running Dog, Red Room Poetry, and SBS. Brooke also holds a black belt in Taekwondo, which they achieved at just 13 years old.

Jahvis Loveday

Jahvis Loveday is an award-winning filmmaker from the Dyirbal tribe of FNQ, but his story, born and raised, is on Bundjalung country. Jahvis has created over twelve short films and 250 online videos. Through his company, Something Deadly, Jahvis aims to bring to life the stories of his First Nations brothers and sisters, and bring his unique stories into the fold of Australian culture.

Lillardia Briggs-Houston

Lillardia Briggs-Houston is a Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, and Gangulu fashion designer and artist living in Narrungdera/Narrandera, Wiradjuri Country. Lillardia's eponymous fashion label was established in 2018 with the aim of supporting self-determination and autonomy within the First Nations fashion industry. Lillardia lives and works on her grandparents’ country, who are fundamental in the growth of her practice, embedding Country and Kin throughout her work.

Marley Morgan

Marley Morgan is a First Nations (Wiradjuri/Gamilaraay) fashion photographer based in Gumbaynggirr country. She is an advocate for inclusion and diversity within mainstream media and fashion. Marley aims to uplift & empower Aboriginal people through building relationships with communities. She wants to provide opportunities for greater exposure to showcase her beautiful modern culture and business to a wider mainstream audience.

Natasha Lucas

Natasha Lucas is a proud Euahlayi woman and mother to her three daughters, living on Darkinjung country. The beginning of her art journey was inspired by her daughters, who she created jewellery, accessories and educational tools for. Natasha opened her own business, Mayarra Arts, in 2021, where she shares her passion and pride for accessory design and art.

Ren Whaleboat

Ren Whaleboat, also known as RENYEN, is a visual artist from Newcastle. Her preferred medium is realism charcoal with contrasting line work portraiture. Being born and raised on Awabakal country, with roots from North QLD, Birri Gubba, Mitakoodi, Gugu-Badhun and Peibri Clan of Mer (Murray Island) in The Torres Strait, her art reflects her diverse cultural heritage.

Renae Lamb

Renae Lamb is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri and Wongaibon people of central west NSW. She is the Founder of Midnight Dreaming, a contemporary Aboriginal Dance and Art Studio located at University of Newcastle. Midnight Dreaming’s aim is to showcase the need for change and the need for dance syllabi in Australia, while also educating globally.

Our winner is...Jahvis Loveday!

From over 70 quality entries, Jahvis was chosen for our top prize in the Film category. From the Dyirbal tribe of Far North Queensland, he's created twelve short films and 250 online videos, and aims to bring to life the stories of his First Nations brothers and sisters through narratives unique to country.

The scholarship is provided by Greater Bank to support Jahvis' creative aspiration. Jahvis will also receive guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre and a mentorship from Film Mentor, Matt Field. Congratulations Jahvis!

Samantha Harris

Samantha Harris is an Australia Indigenous fashion model and brand ambassador. She has been involved in the world of fashion and modelling from a young age, winning the “Girlfriend Magazine Covergirl” competition at age 13, which catapulted her to international fame. She has graced the cover of Façon Magazine twice, in 2019 and 2022, and recently walked at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023.

Christine Anu

Christine Anu is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home". Anu has been nominated for 17 ARIA Awards. She remains one of Australia’s most enduring and recognisable voices.

Saretta Fielding

Saretta is a Wonnarua woman and a brilliant artist. She is very passionate about sharing the unique culture of Australia’s First Nations peoples through authentic, engaging and thought-evoking artwork. She has worked with brands such as Ray-Ban, Arts NSW, City of Newcastle and University of Newcastle .

Matt Field

Matt Field is a broadcaster, tv producer and proud descendant from Kuku Yalanji Country. He is the creator of "Music People" - a tv series that broadcasts across Australia, America and Europe and utilises live music to raise awareness and revenue for social causes.

Kassidy Waters

Kassidy Waters is a contemporary dance artist whose passion is largely influenced by her Indigenous heritage and contemporary dance techniques. After graduating from NAISDA Dance College in 2016, Kassidy joined Bangarra in 2019, one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies.

Gerard Black

Gerard Black is a proud Worimi Man and founder of Baiyami Art. After a 10 year career as a tattoo artist Gerard is now focusing on his painting , drawing and digital art. His work reflects his Indigenous background, storytelling and his love of nature and draws on his strong design background from tattooing to produce a unique style of art. Gerard also recently designed the 2023 Indigenous Round Jersey for the NRL's Newcastle Knights.

Cherie Johnson

Cherie Johnson is the founder and managing director of Speaking In Colour - an organisation designed to educate, equip and encourage businesses and educators to understand and embrace Aboriginal culture. Cherie is a highly regarded lecturer in Aboriginal culture and education as well as being a mother, educator, artist, author and entrepreneur.

Warren Taggart

Warren Taggart shares his knowledge and cultural experience by running educational tours on Wonnarua country and is an accomplished photographer, along with his team Allan Chawner and Carol Carter. Their book, SPIRIT OF PLACE - Aboriginal Sites of the Hunter Valley, is a beautiful photographic record of Wonnarua traditional land depicting carvings, rock paintings and culturally significant sites of the Hunter Region.

Priscilla Reid-Loynes

Priscilla Reid-Loynes is an Indigenous Education Consultant as well as accomplished accessory designer and weaver. Her beautiful creations showcase natural elements of Australia, such as Emu feathers and native plants and fibres.