“NURTURING ART,
CREATIVITY AND 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.
The scholarship program is designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design in New South Wales. In 2023 Greater Bank awarded a $10,000 scholarship to Jahvis Loveday to pursue his film-making career.
This year, Greater Bank has again provided a $10,000 scholarship to support our 2024 recipient, Dharug singer-songwriter, Ruby Shay’s creative aspirations.
MEET OUR FINALISTS
MEET OUR FINALISTS
FILM
Charles Perrurle Perkins
Charles Perrurle Perkins is a 19 year old Arrernte/Kalkatungu man, and an emerging film director currently living and working in Warrane/Sydney. Charles has worked on over 15 short films, 2 Award-winning television series and various video artworks. He is developing two documentary works as well as a historical short film. He founded his production company Akunye Filmworks, which hopes to aid in putting Indigenous Australian voices on the big screen.
FASHION
Melissa Greenwood
Melissa Greenwood is a proud Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung & Dunghutti woman from the Mid North Coast of NSW. She is an artist, fashion designer & children’s book author, as well as founder and director of Miimi and Jiinda, which recently showed at Australian Fashion Week. Melissa is always passionate about supporting mob and giving back as she has first hand experience growing up grass roots and understands innately the struggles that mob face.
ACCESSORY DESIGN
Jessika Spencer
Jessika Spencer is a Wiradjuri woman from the Sandhills of Narrungdera/ Narrandera, New South Wales. She was raised by her Elder and Matriarch, Beryl Simpson, alongside the Murrumbidgee river. This is where she continues to create her art. Being an Indigenous woman, culture and art go hand in hand. They are intertwined and are an ongoing source of inspiration for her. Through her varied art forms, Jessika explores her cultural identity. She does this via photography, poetry, writing, activism and both contemporary and traditional weaving.
DIGITAL ART
Justine Villiers
Justine Villiers is a 24 year old, proud Wiradjuri woman born and raised on Darkinjung land, who has always had a passion for the creative arts since a young age. Justine was introduced to her culture by her Uncle Stuart Mcminn, who taught her through dance, song and stories. With her artworks, Justine aims to share her story and experiences, and encourage others to tell their own story.
WRITING
Luca Sawyer
Luca Sawyer is a twenty-four-year-old Arts/Law student at UNSW, based on Gadigal land. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman, but her heart belongs to Biripi Country where she was born. Her submission to the scholarship ‘Anthropology of a Blak University Student’ is a real and raw story of being a First Nation girl from the country coming to the big smoke. Luca wouldn’t be here today without the support of her mum, grandparents and three beautiful little siblings.
ART/PAINTING
Scott Colyer
Scott Colyer is a proud Arrernte man, born in 1972, raised on Awabakal Country and now lives on Worimi Country at Bundabah. Scott’s love for art began in 2018 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma. His healing journey involved a deeper discovery of culture, and through art, creating a lasting connection to the lessons Mother Earth and Country hold. Scott now runs Living Strong Nature Journaling with his wife, striving to help others slow down and learn about country through art.
MUSIC
Ruby Shay
Ruby Shay is a Dharug singer-songwriter based on the Central Coast, NSW. Since teaching herself guitar in her late teens, Ruby has proven herself as a strong storyteller, drawing from personal experiences, her writing creates meaningful songs that draw the listener into a world of love and self-exploration. Her first 2 singles, released with her band “The Red Horse” have both debuted in the top 10 on the AMRAP regional charts and Ruby’s most recent single “Cooler” has been featured on ABC Country’s Grass Roots program.
DANCE
Holly Faulds
Holly Faulds is a 21 year old Wiradjuri and Dharawal dancer who has been passionate about dance since the age of 3. She grew up in Dubbo and has trained in a variety of genres including cultural, contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, musical theatre and more. Holly has completed a secondment with Bangarra Dance Company and is currently a trainee in the 2024 Russell Page Graduate Youth program.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sean Kinchela
Sean Kinchela is a 30 year old Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri man with family ties to Moree, Coonabarabran, Dubbo and Wellington, currently living on Yuin country in the Far South Coast of NSW. Under the business name Local Famous, Sean’s photography is inspired by storytelling of the land, oceans and skies. He uses these elements along with stories passed down from family and culture to tell his own story.
MENTORS 2024
Stephen Page | Film
Samantha Harris | Fashion Design
Kristy Dickinson| Accessory Design
Travis De Vries | Digital Art
Professor Chelsea Watego | Writing
Nicole Chaffey | Art Painting
Mitch Tambo | Music
Sidney Saltner | Dance
Milly Hooper | 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 soon!
ART NICOLE CHAFFEY