Three talented creatives from the Central Coast have been awarded mentorship through the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship program.
The scholarship is designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design with the winner receiving a $10,000 boost and mentorship from a leader in their field to help them achieve their career aspirations.
Categories include creative storytelling, fashion design, accessory design, art and painting, music, dance, writing and storytelling, digital arts, film and acting and photography.
An independent panel comprising leaders in the Indigenous and artistic communities selected a finalist from each category who will each receive support from a mentor.
The scholarship program has been developed by Façon Magazine, in conjunction with Greater Bank, following the success of the magazine’s 2022 Dreaming Edition which showcased some of the incredible contributions Indigenous people make within the creative industries.
Brooke Scobie of Booker Bay was a finalist in the writing and storytelling category and will be working with mentor Cherie Johnson who is writer and founder of Speaking in Colour.
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.
They also hold a black belt in Taekwondo, achieved at just 13 years of age.
Natasha Lucas of Toukley will be mentored by Priscilla Reid-Loynes after being named finalist in the accessory design category.
She’s a proud Euahlayi woman and mother to three daughters, living on Darkinjung country.
The beginning of her art journey was inspired by her daughters for whom she created jewellery, accessories and educational tools.
Lucas opened her own business Mayarra Arts in 2021, where she shares her passion and pride for accessory design and art.
Music finalist Joshua Doctor from Kariong is lucky to have ARIA award winner Christine Anu as his mentor.
He’s a proud Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay and Gubbi Gubbi man from Lightning Ridge and was raised on Yuwaalaraay country.
After graduating high school in 2020, Doctor pursued a creative development process in performing arts at NAISDA Dance College to further develop his passion for performance.
He is currently continuing his studies whilst also following his other passion of making music.
Winner of the $10,000 scholarship was 22-year-old filmmaker Jahvis Loveday from the Dyirbal tribe, born and raised on Bundjalung country.
The winner was announced at a special event during NAIDOC Week in Port Stephens.
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Andrew Smith, said this program provided exposure and growth for the arts and Indigenous communities in NSW.
“This project is a unique and exciting opportunity to showcase and enhance the wonderful, abundant and positive contributions being made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the arts industry,” he said.
Sue Murray