Deborah made her professional debut as a performer in 1995 in the widely acclaimed self-authored biographical play White Baptist ABBA Fan. From that time to the present Deborah has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for First Nations singers, musicians, composers, conductors and visual artists to excel in the world of classical music to claim a place on every stage in the country. Whilst supporting the development of countless artists she has maintained the highest standard of professionalism as soprano, composer educator and arts leader.

Deborah is a champion of Music Education for First Nations Children, a widely respected composer and renowned soprano. For 15 years, Deborah has led Australia's First Nations Opera Company, Short Black Opera as Artistic Director creating and maintaining a space for First Nations musicians in the world of classical music.

Photo: Wayne Quilliam

Lionel Fogarty has given voice to Aboriginal poetry for over thirty years and is one of Australia’s most respected and radical Indigenous poet and political activists. Since the 1970s he has been active in many of the political struggles of the Aboriginal people, particularly in southern Queensland, from the Land Rights movement, to setting up Aboriginal health and legal services, to the issue of black deaths in custody.

His poetry expresses the need for innovation and urgency. In doing so, it is sometimes surreal, sometimes confronting and includes large amounts of Mununjali / Yugumbeh dialect and vernacular. Lionel has travelled throughout the world seeking justice for Deaths In Custody and remains a passionate mentor to young Aboriginal writers in remote regions of Australia.

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Proud Yanyuwa and Wardaman woman Dr Shellie Morris AO is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter creating and singing in around 17 Australian Aboriginal languages.

While she has been in the spotlight over the years for involvement in various national and international projects, by and large, she works on the ground empowering and gently effecting change.

This year she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Kings Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to the performing arts, to the Indigenous community, and to not-for-profit organisations.

She is the 2014 NT Australian of the Year, the 2014 NAIDOC National Artist of the Year, a multi Deadly Award winner and a driving force of the acclaimed album Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu and the internationally award-winning musical documentary Prison Songs.

In April 2021, she was awarded an Honorary Award of Doctor of Music from Sydney University for her unique and ongoing work with Indigenous communities to build resilience and self-esteem through song writing and musical collaborations.

Photo: Wayne Quilliam

Lily Shearer is a proud citizen of the Murrwarri Republic & Ngemba Nation (north-west NSW/south-east QLD) woman with 40+ years' experience in First Peoples Cultural Development, Arts Management and in Theatre and Performance making.

Lily’s practice is deeply embedded in Cultural Values and beliefs of Murrawarri/Ngemba peoples, instilled to her by her Grandparents, Parents and community of Brewarrina where she was born and raised. Commencing in Cultural Arts as a Dancer, Lily also attributes her diverse knowledge and Cultural Arts practice to the University of Elders that she has so fortunately worked with over the past 40 years in Brewarrina, Redfern, Glebe, Blacktown (Mt Druitt) and Sydney’s Greater West. 

These collective wisdoms inform Lily’s practice looking at the holistic self of First Peoples and PLACE Making to include physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being in relationship with Mother Earth, who sustains all life with food, shelter and clothing.

Photo: Jamie James

Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu is a deaf Yolŋu filmmaker and artist whose work powerfully weaves together culture, identity, and innovation. A proud Gumatj man from Buymarr, his journey is defined by resilience, creativity, and a strong commitment to sharing Yolŋu culture through contemporary mediums.

In 2015, Gutiŋarra joined The Mulka Project as a filmmaker. He began documenting cultural ceremonies and events across Yolŋu homelands, contributing to the preservation and celebration of Yolŋu traditions.

Since then, Gutiŋarra's artistic journey has continued to evolve, and he is currently collaborating with The Mulka Project team on a light and sound installation titled Yalu,which is set to premiere in The Tank at the AGNSW in June 2025.

Photo: Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre

Tony Albert is one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists with a longstanding interest in the cultural misrepresentation of Aboriginal people. Tony is currently the Artistic Director of the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennale: After the Rain to be held at the National Gallery later in the year. 

Drawing on both personal and collective histories, his multidisciplinary practice considers the ways in which optimism might be utilised to overcome adversity. He courageously engages in difficult conversations to shed light on problematic histories and current injustices faced by First Nations people. 

Albert is acknowledged industry wide as a valued ambassador for First Nations community and culture and is strongly represented in major national and international collections.

Photo: Rhett Hammerton

Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) is a not-for-profit Art Centre, proudly Aboriginal owned and directed. It is the home of the Namatjira watercolour artists. The Centre is strongly committed to improving the economic participation of Aboriginal people and maintaining cultural heritage. 

It was established for Aboriginal artists to come together to paint, learn new techniques and share ideas. As direct descendants of Albert Namatjira they were taught to follow in his unique style and have passed this knowledge on to their children.

Iltja Ntjarra is a facilitated art space. The working relationship between studio staff and artists is based on mutual respect and focused on realizing the artists’ creative vision.

Photo supplied