The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship 2025 Edition
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief/Creative Director LARA LUPISH
Deputy Editor SOPHIE BURLEY
FEATURES
Features Editor LARA LUPISH
Editorial Manager SOPHIE BURLEY
DESIGN
Senior Designer CHRISTINA KOLTOVSKI
COPY & PRODUCTION
Sub-Editor Lynne Testoni
Content Writers Sophie Burley & Lynne Testoni
MARKETING
Client Relationship Manager Jason Fox
PR & Marketing Manager Sophie Burley
Digital Coordinator Kate Langejans
Production Manager Piper Butcher
PUBLISHING
Façon Creative
SPECIAL THANKS
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible 2025 cover star, Casey Donovan.
To every artist across NSW who submitted their work for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, thank you. Choosing our nine finalists was no easy task!
Thank you to our inspiring mentors, dedicated committee members, and the hardworking Façon team.
Last but not least, a very special thank you to Greater Bank. This scholarship and edition wouldn’t be possible without your support.
We hope you enjoy this edition as much as we loved creating it.
All rights reserved, no part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from the publisher, including all logos, titles and graphic elements.
Dear readers,
It is with great pride that I present our third special edition of Façon Magazine – The Indigenous Storytellers, in the traditional Gathang language of the Worimi People – The Djuyalgal Scholarship Edition.
This initiative champions creativity while celebrating the cultural heritage of Australia’s First Nations peoples. At Façon Australia, we believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices to connect us all through shared creativity.
Inside these pages, you’ll meet this year’s inspiring finalists and the mentors walking beside them.
We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of past finalists. Last year’s winner, Ruby Shay, released an album that achieved remarkable success, charting across both the Australian album and country music charts. Fashion finalist Melissa Greenwood, founder of Miimi and Jiinda, returned to Australia Fashion Week 2025, making a powerful statement with her designs.
Our partnership with Greater Bank continues to bring the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship to life, providing funding and a platform for artists to share their stories and shape the cultural conversation.
I’m deeply grateful to be part of this movement. Let us continue to celebrate, support, and uplift Indigenous creatives. Together, we can nurture a more inclusive, powerful, and expressive creative landscape.
Thank you for joining us on this extraordinary journey. I invite you to dive into this edition - a vibrant showcase of Indigenous art, design and storytelling that inspires, educates and uplifts.
Editor-in-Chief | NAIDOC Week 2025
We are committed to reconciliation and ensuring we continue to make meaningful and authentic contributions to Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Our vision for reconciliation is to work as one with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, building genuine relationships by listening, learning and sharing. We will walk together to help shape a future based on respect, unity and participation.
Photography DARBY YOUNG
Sound of Success
For Ruby Shay, the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Dharug and Boorooberongal woman was scraping funds together to launch her first album, Hitch a Ride, so the $10,000 scholarship, funded by Greater Bank, lifted a weight off her shoulders.
But there was more to it than that.
“It changed the way I thought about myself,” Ruby said.
“I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling ‘less than’ and unworthy and that these things didn’t happen to people like me, so it was really a turning point for me as far as my confidence went.
“Being in a space where I’m validated for how vulnerable I’ve been was actually really nice and encouragement to continue to do what I’ve been doing.”
Although the album ultimately peaked at number 2 on the ARIA charts, commercial success was never something that Ruby sought.
Growing up in care in Dharawal and Yuin communities listening to music was always an escape, but it wasn’t until she picked up a guitar at 19 years old that the then-poet found the outlet she needed.
“I figured out that if I could sing what I really needed to, that it was something that actually promoted a lot of healing for myself,
and I was able to share the bits and pieces of me that maybe I wasn’t comfortable sitting down in a yarn, going into that amount of detail,” Ruby said.
Ruby described story sharing and truth telling as critical to her craft. It’s a thread that runs through many entries in the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, which Greater Bank representative Kirrah McClelland described as awe-inspiring.
“We’ve now entered our third year supporting the scholarship, and we are consistently blown away by the talent of First Nations artists in telling resonant stories,” she said.
“We see this as more than money; it’s a pathway for nurturing and amplifying these stories across so many disciplines.”
Ruby agrees.
“I’ve said for a long time, even prior to winning the scholarship, that if you have the opportunity to be able to tell your story you have a duty to,” she said.
“We live in such a siloed society and that’s not how we’re supposed to be; we’re supposed to support each other, and we’re supposed to share our knowledge, and we’re supposed to have yarns that are uncomfortable and sit in that and be there for each other.
“I love that I have a platform to be able to do that.”
I figured out that if I could sing what I really needed to, that it was something that actually promoted a lot of healing for myself, and I was able to share the bits and pieces of me that maybe I wasn’t comfortable sitting down in a yarn, going into that amount of detail.
JAHVIS LOVEDAY Film Finalist | Scholarship Recipient
SCOBIE Writing Finalist
WHALEBOAT Art Painting Finalist
20 23 SCHOLARSHIP Finalists
LUCAS Accessory Design Finalist
NATASHA
REN
LILLARDIA
BERNARD
BROOKE
JOSHUA DOCTOR Music Finalist
20 24
SCHOLARSHIP Mentors
Digital Art Mentor
PROFESSOR
CHELSEA WATEGO Writing Mentor
NICOLE CHAFFEY Art Painting Mentor
MITCH TAMBO Music Mentor
SIDNEY SALTNER Dance Mentor
SAMANTHA HARRIS Fashion Design Mentor
MILLY HOOPER Photography Mentor
TRAVIS DE VRIES
KRISTY DICKINSON Accessory Design Mentor
STEPHEN PAGE Film Mentor
LUCA SAWYER
Writing Finalist
SCOTT COLYER
Art Painting Finalist
SEAN KINCHELA
Photography Finalist
FAULDS
Dance Finalist
SCHOLARSHIP Finalists20 24
SHAY
Music Finalist | Scholarship Recipient
JUSTINE VILLIERS
Digital Art Finalist
CHARLES PERRURLE PERKINS
Film Finalist
Finalist
JESSIKA SPENCER
Accessory Design Finalist
HOLLY
RUBY
MELISSA GREENWOOD Fashion
The Djuyalgal Scholarship
Honouring Storytelling, Celebrating Talent:
The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship
Now in its third year, the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship — Djuyalgal in the Gathang language of the Worimi people — proudly shines a light on the extraordinary talents of emerging Indigenous creatives. A partnership between Façon Australia and Greater Bank, the scholarship is a heartfelt celebration of culture, creativity, and community, providing vital support for First Nations artists across New South Wales.
The program sees a major scholarship of $10,000 awarded by Greater Bank to an outstanding recipient, while each of the other eight finalists receive a $1000 prize — a powerful recognition of the incredible breadth of talent and vision shared throughout the program. Finalists are mentored by some of Australia’s most respected industry figures, from celebrated musician Casey Donovan to fashion icon Samantha Harris and acclaimed artist Melissa Greenwood, each offering guidance and inspiration in their fields.
More than a scholarship, Djuyalgal is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms — from the written word to dance, digital art, fashion, and beyond. It serves as a reminder that the oldest stories in the world are still evolving, finding new voices and new ways to be heard. Through this initiative, Façon Australia and Greater Bank reaffirm their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous storytellers, ensuring these powerful voices continue to inspire and shape the creative future of this country.
SCHOLARSHIP Finalists
Meet the shortlisted artists vying for this year's Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, brought to you with support from Greater Bank. Scholarship recipient announced NAIDOC Week 2025.
FIND AN EXCERPT OF OUR FINALISTS' WORK ON OUR WEBSITE!
Meet the Finalists
Zachary Carter
Art Painting Finalist
Zachary Carter 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 selfdetermination. 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.
Joshua Yow Yeh
Film Finalist
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.
Sean Kinchela
Photography Finalist
Sean Kinchela is a Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri man with family connections to Moree, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, and Wellington. Currently residing on Yuin Country on the Far South Coast of NSW, Sean is a multidisciplinary artist involved in acrylic painting, digital art, graphic design, and photography. Through his creative practice, he draws inspiration from the landscape, with patterns in his artwork often reflecting the environments and oceans he captures.
Operating under his business name, Local Famous, Sean employs storytelling – both personal and cultural – to convey the strength, beauty, and spirit of First Nations culture through visual art.
Shanaya Buddingh
Dance Finalist
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.
Elisha O’Leary
Accessory Design Finalist
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.
Luca Sawyer Writing Finalist
Luca Sawyer is a 24-year-old arts/law student at University of NSW, 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 Nations 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.
Tess Reading Digital Art Finalist
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.
I'm incredibly honoured to be named a finalist in the 2025 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship program. To be recognised alongside other deadly First Nations creatives is something I hold very close. I’m so incredibly grateful to Façon Australia and Greater Bank for creating space for First Nations artists to be seen and heard. Opportunities like this remind me why I do what I do.
Nathan Lamont – Music Finalist
David Leslie Fashion Finalist
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.
Nathan Lamont
Music Finalist
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.
Wear the Story of Country.
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Whether you’re dressing for meaning or making a statement, choose fashion that matters.
Wear with purpose. Walk with Country. Together we Create.
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NEXT ACT Casey’s
From Australian Idol to major musicals, Casey Donovan has remained true to herself and her Country.
Writer | Lynne Testoni
CITY CHIC Tiffany Strapless Midi Dress in Black SAINT LAURENT Black Patent Pumps
STYLIST’S OWN Necklace
Façon | Djuyalgal
CITY CHIC Angelica Faux Fur Jacket in Black
CITY CHIC Averi Skirt in Black (worn as dress)
CITY CHIC Tan Belt
SAINT LAURENT Black Patent Pumps
STYLIST’S OWN Necklace
Indigenous singer, musician and actress, Casey Donovan says that it is a pleasure to mentor a musician, sharing her love of the art and encouraging growth.
She says that she feels that scholarship programs such as the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship are important for First Nations artists because they’re a stepping stone towards a bigger, brighter future.
“They’re ways in which you can meet people that are in certain positions to ask all of the questions and create rapport,” she says. “Having those connections with people within parts of the world certainly help.”
Casey came to music slightly later, she says, only realising the potential of her family’s musical background while she was in high school.
While she came from a musical family –her father Merv was part of a First Nations musical group called The Donovans – music wasn’t a big thing in her life until she hit early adolescence.
Her parents divorced when she was two years old and she grew up with her mother and stepfather, which meant she didn’t have much contact with her father’s family or her Indigenous relatives in her childhood.
Only 16 years old when she won Australian Idol, Casey remains the show’s youngest ever winner, and says that achieving stardom at such a young age was both a blessing and a curse, but “it’s shaped me to be the person I am today”.
The Idol win also helped her to reconnect with her Indigenous roots.
“Going back to Country, for me, was something that I had to do when I turned 18. It was after Idol, and making that personal journey to go back to Country was pretty special for me and meeting family. And I think that’s what has strengthened me as a person and also an artist.”
She says she recognises that she is a role model for many young Indigenous musicians.
“Making that personal journey to go back to Country was pretty special for me and meeting family. And I think that’s what has strengthened me as a person and also an artist.”
KIRRIKIN Oversized Ladies Blazer in Ripple
BOHEMIAN TRADERS Ponte Pant in Black
FAYT THE LABEL Scoop Neck Bodysuit in Deep Teal
“Doing things outside of your comfort zone is so important for those next steps in your life – throwing caution to the wind and just getting out there.”
WOLFORD
Enrica Skirt in Black
FAYT THE LABEL Jumper in Black
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI
Black Platform Boots
“I think it comes with the territory,” she explains. “I mean, I am far from perfect, but I always try and lead with kindness and as a good example. And yeah, I think it’s important to have good role models or people that you can go, ‘oh, wow, I really like that they gave something a try and they’re doing something’. It opens up lots of spaces for different people. And I love that.”
“I think it’s really important for people to be able to have those avenues to ask questions and be a scholar in something that’s pretty amazing and unique.”
“I just want people to learn and grow. Doing things outside of your comfort zone is so important for those next steps in your life – throwing caution to the wind and just getting out there. It’s scary and I feel like that’s what I’ve done with my whole career. I just keep trying, keep getting up and keep persisting.
Casey’s career has been quite the ride –Australian Idol was followed by many charttopping singles and albums, a transition into musical theatre, along with memorable live performances at significant events.
WOLFORD
Enrica Skirt in Black FAYT THE LABEL Jumper in Black GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Black Platform Boots
She’s now been in the public eye for just over 20 years, and says she is now in a position to give back to her community, to honour her Indigenous background and celebrate all that is beautiful and wonderful about music by acting as a mentor for the scholarship’s music finalist.
“I think that through this mentorship, it’s really important to have truth and honesty and transparency into what the world can be like, but also finding the positives. I think throughout my career I’ve been able to find those positives and be able to step up, ask questions and grow.”
“You’re continuously growing in this industry, and I think that it’s really important to have open doors and open conversations with people.”
Casey says she thinks the mentorship associated with the scholarship will add perspective to the career challenges of the mentees.
“More people coming to an idea is better because you get to troubleshoot and you get to talk about it and see different sides of people’s thoughts, really. The arts is all about collaboration. And I think mentorship falls under collaboration.”
BOHEMIAN TRADERS Ponte Pant in Black
BOHEMIAN TRADERS Oversized Blazer in Black GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Black Platform Boots
For me, this scholarship is an amazing experience and opportunity for people to learn and grow and have another voice and helping hand.
“ WHEN SOMEONE WEARS MY DESIGNS, THEY’RE CARRYING THE SPIRIT OF MY ANCESTORS”
Accessory Design Mentor CassieLeatham
WEAVING CULTURE & SUSTAINABILITY
Writer | Sophie Burley
Cassie Leatham, a proud descendant of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Daungwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, is a multi-disciplinary Indigenous artist whose work is a heartfelt tribute to her ancestors and to Country. A master weaver, jewellery and fashion designer, painter, ceramicist, bushtukka woman, and cultural educator, Cassie breathes life into every piece she creates — each one a living thread connecting past, present, and future.
Guided by a deep respect for the land and an urgent love for its survival, Cassie’s passion lies not only in creating but in sharing. She is committed to teaching Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike, offering the gift of cultural knowledge, storytelling, and traditional skills. For Cassie, passing down these practices is more than education — it is a way to keep culture alive, to heal, and to inspire pride in future generations.
Her fashion label, Yanggurdi, meaning ‘walkabout’, brings these stories to life through slow, ethical fashion, blending traditional techniques like bush solar-dyeing with new innovations in sustainable design. Launched in 2022, her first collection, Mungan Biik (‘Weave on Country’), is a heartfelt journey across Country with her beloved budgie, Mr Beaky.
“When someone wears my designs,” Cassie says, “they’re carrying the spirit of my ancestors.”
Through every weave, every print, and every story she shares, Cassie’s work is a powerful act of love — for Country, for culture, and for the generations to come.
Samantha Harris, one of Australia’s most influential fashion figures, proudly returns as the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship’s Fashion Mentor for the third consecutive year. A proud Dunghutti woman, Samantha carries the strength of her ancestors with her onto every runway, into every campaign, and throughout every conversation she leads about inclusion, visibility, and Indigenous excellence.
From a young girl dreaming big to a nationally celebrated model, Samantha’s journey has been shaped by resilience, heart, and an unwavering belief in the power of representation. Today, she is one of the country’s most sought-after models, gracing the runways of Australian Fashion Week, fronting major national campaigns, and working with some of the most iconic designers and brands – always bringing her proud identity with her.
But it’s beyond the spotlight where Samantha’s true impact shines. She uses her platform to empower First Nations communities, champion young women, and advocate for a future where Indigenous voices are seen, heard, and celebrated across all creative industries.
As Fashion Mentor for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, Samantha generously shares her lived experience, guiding emerging creatives to stay grounded in culture, lead with authenticity, and forge sustainable careers built on purpose and pride.
Her continued involvement in the program speaks to her deep commitment to nurturing the next generation – inspiring them to walk boldly in their truth and shape a new future for Australian fashion and beyond.
Writer | Sophie Burley
BOLDLY Walking for the next generation
Fashion Mentor
Art Painting Mentor Greenwood Melissa
Brushstroke of Country
Melissa Greenwood is a proud Gumbaynggirr custodian, with ancestral connections to the Bundjalung and Dunghutti nations. A celebrated contemporary artist and designer, Melissa brings a deeply intuitive and culturally rich perspective to her role as Art Painting Mentor for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship.
Melissa’s paintings are bold, layered and spiritually resonant, a visual language drawn from Country, matriarchal strength and ancestral memory.
Her work blends traditional symbolism with contemporary composition, creating pieces that tell powerful stories of culture, kinship and connection. Each painting is an extension of her spirit, a celebration of her identity and womanhood, her work becoming widely recognised for intricate detail and emotional depth.
A natural storyteller across many forms, Melissa also translates her artworks onto textiles through her fashion label, Miimi and Jiinda. Her hand-painted designs have graced the runways of Australian Fashion Week, capturing national attention with their striking beauty and cultural significance. These wearable artworks are more than fashion, they’re extensions of culture, carrying the stories and strength of her people.
Melissa’s artistry continues to evolve and inspire. As a mentor, she offers emerging artists not only creative guidance, but insight into how culture and contemporary expression can coexist and thrive. She embodies the strength of her lineage and leads with authenticity, showing the next generation of Indigenous storytellers how to acknowledge tradition while carving their own path forward.
Writer | Sophie Burley
Colouring Outside the Lines
Rheanna Lotter, a proud Yuin woman and the heart behind Ngandabaa, joins the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship as the Digital Art Mentor for the first time in 2025.
Raised in the surrounds of Willow Vale in the NSW Southern Highlands and now calling Western Sydney home, Rheanna’s journey is deeply rooted in her culture and her passion for storytelling through art. Her business, Ngandabaa, is a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather, Keith Thorne, and a powerful platform where she brings Aboriginal culture to life through both digital and hand-painted art.
Writer | Sophie Burley
For Rheanna, art is more than just creation – it’s a way to connect, heal, and share the stories that have shaped her people. Whether she’s working with businesses, schools, or individuals, she’s driven by a desire to make Aboriginal culture accessible and meaningful to all. Her work, vibrant with the stories of her ancestors, invites others to witness the beauty, resilience, and depth of her heritage.
As a mentor, Rheanna brings more than just technical skills; she brings a deep sense of purpose. She believes in the power of digital art to carry the weight of her culture, offering a new and dynamic way for emerging artists to share their stories with the world. Her mentorship is about empowering the next generation to confidently step into their creative power, weaving together past and future in every brushstroke and pixel.
For Rheanna, this is about more than art – it’s about ensuring that Indigenous voices continue to be heard and celebrated for generations to come.
m organPhotography Mentor
THROUGH A BLAK LENS
Writer | Sophie Burley
Marley Morgan is a proud Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay, and Wiradjuri woman whose photography and content creation are reshaping the narrative of Indigenous representation in fashion and the arts. Currently living on Gumbaynggirr Country, Marley uses her camera to not only capture moments, but to honour culture, identity, and the vibrance of life itself.
With an unwavering passion for visual storytelling, Marley’s work spans from quiet, intimate moments to bold, grand celebrations. She always seeks the raw, the authentic, the beauty in every subject she photographs. Her lens is infused with a personal commitment to ensuring Indigenous voices are always at the forefront in the fashion world, a space where representation has often been overlooked. Her collaborations with designers like Lillardia Houston-Briggs, Maara Collective, and Macgraw reflect her dedication to showcasing the extraordinary talent within Indigenous communities.
For Marley, it’s not the accolades that matter most – it’s the belief in a more inclusive, equitable future for all. As a mother, she is deeply driven by the desire to ensure the next generation sees their culture, their stories, and their beauty reflected in the world around them.
Through her mentorship, Marley inspires emerging photographers to embrace their own visual voice, amplifying Indigenous perspectives, always through a Blak lens – a lens that holds power, authenticity, and pride.
Mentor ljoveday ahvis
Lighting the path for future F ilmmakers
Jahvis Loveday, a proud Bundjalung and BAMA man, brings his vibrant passion for storytelling back to the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship — this time as the Film Mentor for 2025. A familiar face to the program, Jahvis was the 2023 Scholarship winner, and now steps into a new role to guide the next generation of Indigenous filmmakers.
Growing up in the Northern Rivers of NSW, Jahvis always felt the power of storytelling flowing through his veins.
After completing his Bachelor of Film in 2020, he has gone on to create more than 12 short films and 200 online videos, each one shaped by a deep connection to culture, community, and Country.
Jahvis’ work has been celebrated across Australia and beyond — from winning Best Young Australian Filmmaker in 2020, to his film BAMA representing Australian cinema at the Dubai 2021 World Expo. Through his production company, Something Deadly, Jahvis brings First Nations stories to life with strength, heart, and authenticity.
His latest films Bangay Lore and Djalbuyan Nahra have received critical acclaim, while his work behind the scenes on projects like Heartbreak High and Fizzy and Suds shows his growing influence within the industry.
As a mentor, Jahvis shares more than just skills — he shares lived experience, resilience, and the importance of owning our stories. His journey reminds emerging storytellers that their voices matter, and that through film, they can create lasting change.
Writer | Sophie Burley
Storyteller at heart Amy McQuireWriting Mentor
Amy McQuire is a proud Darumbal and South Sea Islander woman from Rockhampton, Central Queensland, whose words have become a powerful force for truth-telling and justice. For over 17 years, Amy has carved a path through Aboriginal and independent media, using her pen and voice to honour the stories of her people – the ones so often silenced or misunderstood.
A storyteller at heart, Amy’s work speaks directly to the strength, resilience, and beauty of Aboriginal women and girls.
Through journalism, essays, children’s books, and non-fiction, she captures the truths that demand to be heard. Her children’s book Day Break reimagines Australian history through Blak eyes, offering a powerful message of pride and survival for the next generation. Her non-fiction debut Black Witness: The Power of Indigenous Media reminds us why First Nations storytelling is not just important, it is essential for change.
Amy’s writing is more than words on a page — it is a call to action, a form of resistance, and a deep act of love for her community. Every story she tells is rooted in care, cultural pride, and the belief that storytelling can heal and empower.
As Writing Mentor for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, Amy brings her fierce dedication and heart to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous writers. She encourages emerging storytellers to trust their instincts, honour their ancestors, and know that their stories hold the power to change the world.
Writer | Sophie Burley
wkatersassidy Dance Mentor
Kassidy Waters, a proud descendant of the Wonnarua People, is a contemporary dance artist whose heart beats in rhythm with the stories of her people. Now entering her second year as Dance Mentor for the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, Kassidy’s journey in dance has been one of both personal and cultural discovery, rooted in her belief that movement is the most powerful language to share knowledge and experience.
In her sixth year with Bangarra Dance Theatre, Kassidy has danced on stages across the world, from local communities to the grandest theatres in Honolulu, Canada, Chicago, and Korea. Each performance is a chance to share her heritage, from the powerful works Bennelong and Yuldea to the emotional Sandsong. Every step she takes on stage is not just her own; it’s a tribute to her ancestors, a continuation of the stories they passed down through generations.
Photography DANIEL BOUD
But Kassidy’s connection to dance is not just about performing; it’s about teaching. She’s dedicated almost a decade to guiding others, especially children, into the transformative world of dance. She’s seen firsthand how a simple workshop can open hearts, activate creativity, and create a deep connection with culture. It’s in these moments that she feels most fulfilled – when the power of dance becomes a shared experience, and both teacher and student walk away changed.
For
Kassidy, dance
is more than an art form; it’s a living, breathing practice of storytelling and culture.
Through her mentorship, she helps others unlock their own potential, while honouring the traditions that have shaped her into the artist and woman she is today.
