“nurturing art
creativity culture”
The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship (or Djuyalgal Scholarship meaning ‘the one who is telling the story’ in the local Gathang language) is a program created by Façon with support from our Principal Sponsor, Greater Bank. 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.
Now in its third year, the scholarship program is designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design in New South Wales.
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MEET OUR 2025 FINALISTS
MEET OUR 2025 FINALISTS
ACCESSORY DESIGN
Elisha O’Leary
Elisha O’Leary (née Solomon) is a proud Darkinjung-born woman of Wiradjuri ancestry, living with multiple disabilities. Living with chronic pain and limited capacity led her back to art. At a women’s group at the Eleanor Duncan Centre, she created her first burned hat, featuring the Gugaa (Goanna) and Rainbow Serpent, to honour her ancestors and healing journey. Elisha now creates freehand pyrography on hats, guided by spirit, memory and emotion. Each piece is unique, never traced or copied. Her art helps her connect with culture, community and mental health, all while navigating life as a devoted mum.
FASHION
David Leslie
David Leslie is a proud Gamilaroi man living on Gadigal land in Sydney. He’s the founder of GALI Swimwear - a men’s label that collaborates with First Nations artists to create premium swimwear infused with culture, storytelling and purpose. A volunteer surf lifesaver at North Bondi, David saw swimwear as a powerful way to start conversations and connect people around the world with First Nations culture. With every purchase, artists earn an income and donations are made to community projects. GALI is more than swimwear — it’s a celebration of culture, community and Country.
Joshua Yow Yeh is a proud Australian South Sea Islander, Bundjalung and Bayali man from Mackay, Queensland. Currently in his second year at NAISDA Dance College on the Central Coast, Joshua is passionate about dance, music and filmmaking. He aspires to excel as a young Indigenous artist through storytelling in film, music and dance. At NAISDA, he has developed his talents in dance film, music composition and contemporary dance. Joshua aims to one day create feature films and performance productions that celebrate culture through the arts. He is committed to building a diverse creative career and inspiring future generations.
FILM
Joshua Yow Yeh
DIGITAL ART
Tess Reading
Tess Reading is a proud Gomeroi woman, artist and founder of Art Without Fear. Blending contemporary Aboriginal design with deep cultural meaning, Tess creates artwork that speaks to identity, healing and connection to Country. Her work spans across mediums including digital illustration, painting and photography, and is featured on everything from canvas to homewares. Based in Tamworth, NSW, Tess is passionate about empowering communities and celebrating culture through storytelling and creativity. Her art reflects resilience, spirit and the enduring strength of First Nations people.
WRITING
Luca Sawyer
Luca Sawyer will complete her Bachelor of Arts/Law at UNSW in 2025. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman, born and raised on Biripi Country. In 2024, she was a finalist for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship through Façon Magazine. Also in 2024, Luca was the recipient of the Hage Award for First Nations Writers through Sweatshop Literary Movement. Luca’s latest short stories will be published in the upcoming anthology Love, edited by Shirley Le (Sweatshop, 2026). The Big Smoke is the first chapter from the manuscript she is currently working on.
ART/PAINTING
Zachary Carter
Zachary is a proud 31-year-old Kamilaroi artist living on Biripi Country, with family ties to the Worimi and Wiradjuri peoples. With over 13 years’ experience in community services and education, he uses his cultural knowledge to support others on their journeys of healing and self-determination. Now studying Art Therapy at university, Zachary blends creativity with care, using his art as a powerful tool for storytelling, connection and community healing. He has led a grassroots organisation for several years at both local and state levels, funding its work through art sales and personal contributions, while growing his practice into a business rooted in culture and purpose, and continuing to advocate for the arts and cultural sectors.
MUSIC
Nathan Lamont
Nathan Lamont is a proud Wiradjuri man living on the banks of the Marrambidya in Wagga Wagga, NSW. His music blends modern country with powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics and a sound shaped by real-life experience. Since his 2023 debut, he has amassed over 1.8 million streams, built a following of 90,000 on TikTok, and landed multiple singles on the Top 50 Australian country airplay charts. A three-time Toyota Star Maker finalist and two-time APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award finalist, Nathan has also performed on major stages including the Deni Ute Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival and Home Ground Sounds Festival.
Shanaya is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up on Awabakal Land, where dance has long shaped her connection to culture in deeply personal ways. Participating in traditional dances from a young age gave her a strong sense of identity and belonging. Those moments grounded her, reminding her of the stories, the land and the community that are part of who she is. As Shanaya began exploring contemporary Indigenous dance, she found a powerful way to express her own experiences, blending tradition with modernity. This journey has deepened her understanding of her heritage and empowered her to share the stories of her people. Dance is her way of honouring the past while embracing the present, and it continues to be a source of strength, creativity and joy in her life.
DANCE
Shanaya Buddingh
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sean Kinchela
Sean Kinchela is a Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri man with family ties to Moree, Coonabarabran, Dubbo and Wellington. Now based on Yuin Country on the Far South Coast of NSW, Sean is a multidisciplinary artist working across acrylic painting, digital art, graphic design and photography. Through his creative practice, he draws inspiration from Country, with patterns in his artwork often reflecting the landscapes and oceans he photographs. Under his business name, Local Famous, Sean uses storytelling - both personal and cultural - to share the strength, beauty and spirit of First Nations culture through visual art.
MENTORS 2025
Casey Donovan | Music
Samantha Harris | Fashion Design
Cassie Leatham | Accessory Design
Rheanna Lotter | Digital Art
Amy McQuire | Writing
Melissa Greenwood | Art Painting
Kassidy Waters | Dance
Jahvis Loveday | Film
Marley Morgan | Photography
The Scholarship program consists of nine differing creative discipline categories that are open for applications. A single finalist for each category is selected by our special panel and a recipient is chosen from these finalists.
Applications are currently closed.
Please check back early next year!
Art - Nicole Chaffey