to the australian dreamers…

On Sunday, May 3, 2015, I was fortunate enough to win two awards at the Logie Awards. I had been nominated for my role as Martha in Love Child. I knew that if I won and was given the opportunity to say something I had to take it, because it might not happen again.

It was an exciting time to be an Aboriginal actor, because more and more Aboriginal producers and writers were creating stories for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to lead in. Redfern Now, Black Comedy and The Gods Of Wheat Street had gone to air and 8MMM and Cleverman were about to go into production.

Earlier that year, April Reign’s #OscarsSoWhite hashtag had begun a massive conversation on social media about the kinds of artists and stories that are valued in Hollywood. It was from that that I was able to find my own language to paint a picture of the lack of imagination in our local industry: from which stories in Australia gain recognition to the writing and casting of people of colour in Australian stories.

That night was very special for me. I was a young Black actor finding my way, and to hear my name called was incredible. I had a microphone and I owed it to every other person of colour to make the most of it. In my speech I spoke from my heart about putting “more beautiful people of colour on TV and connect viewers in ways which transcend race and unite us”. My words were met with resounding applause. Actors, producers, writers and directors seemed excited by the conversation my speech had ignited. Even though many actors before me – Justine Saunders, Bob Maza, Deborah Mailman, Aaron Pedersen, Shari Sebbens, to name a few – had said similar things