The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship

Nurturing art, creativity and culture

The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship (or “Djuyalgal Scholarship” in the traditional Gathung language of the Worimi People) is a collaboration between Façon and 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. Greater Bank will provide a $10,000 scholarship to support the winner’s creative aspirations, with guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre.

An event will take place to announce the winner on 6th July during NAIDOC Week 2023 and a special edition Façon Magazine will be created that will profile the finalists from each category.

Meet The Finalists

Ren Whaleboat

Art Painting

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.

Lillardia Briggs-Houston

Fashion Design

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 with her grandparents, who are fundamental in the growth of her practice, embedding Country and Kin throughout her work.

Renae Lamb

Dance

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.

Joshua Doctor

Music

Joshua Doctor is a proud Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay and Gubbi Gubbi man from Lightning Ridge in north west NSW and was raised on Yuwaalaraay country. After graduating highschool in 2020, Joshua 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.

Creative Audio

by Joshua Doctor

Natasha Lucas

Accessory Design

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 jewelry, 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.

Jahvis Loveday

Film

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.

Marley Morgan

Photography

Marley Morgan is a First Nations 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 & business to a wider mainstream audience.

Brooke Scobie

Writing

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.

Bernard Kelly-Edwards

Digital Art

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.

The Scholarship program consists of nine differing creative discipline categories that are open for applications. A single finalist for each category will be selected by our special panel and a winner will be chosen from these finalists.

The winner will receive:
A $10,000 Scholarship from Greater Bank to support the winner’s creative aspirations
A mentoring session with a leading voice from their creative discipline
Guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre and the use of their facilities

The nine creative disciplines that are open for applications are:
Fashion design
Accessory design
Art painting
Music
Dance
Writing
Digital art
Film
Photography

Applications are now closed!

Thank you to all who applied.

For more information please see terms and conditions.

The nine finalists and winner will be decided by our special committee using our selection criteria which will be sent to successful applicants. Our committee is made up of local business leaders and First Nations voices from our community.

The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship Committee is proudly represented by:

Lara Lupish
Editor-in-Chief, Façon Magazine

Ingrid Kaczor
Community Engagement Manager, Greater Bank

Andrew Smith
CEO, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council

Simone Jordan
Office of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, University of Newcastle

Alissa McCulloch
Director, HUNTERhunter

Kate O’Mara
Director, Special Projects RDA Hunter

Dr. Kirsten Molloy
President, Equal Futures Project

Lynne Mangovski
Member, Hunter Medical Research Foundation

Jack Bailey
Communications and Marketing Manager, Façon Magazine

Jason Fox
Senior Manager, Façon Magazine