A young Aboriginal Tasmanian woman has spoken about fulfilling her childhood dreams as she accepted a national NAIDOC award.
Naarah, a Gija woman from the Kimberley who grew up in Tasmania, received the 2024 ‘Creative Talent Award’ at the NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony in Adelaide on Saturday night.
The actor, performer, singer and creative is the current Young Tasmanian Australian of the Year and is pursuing a Master of Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
“I’ve dreamed of being in this room for years and not just for an award, but for celebrating with mob, for mob,” she said.
“To receive this award is a total joy.”
Naarah said she believes in creating her own opportunities when none are provided.
“I’m a big believer in when you can’t get a seat at the table, you make your own table,” she said.
“Art and humanity are the same for me and my greatest privilege as a performer is to take you out of your busy lives just for a while, for you to forget your to-do list if you come and see a musical or maybe even if you put an episode of TV on at the end of your day.”
“My life of the arts became a surprise dream job as music and storytelling is just always how I saw and communicated with the world.”
Despite setbacks such as failing music, not achieving an ATAR university score and not being accepted into top Australian performing arts schools, Naarah is a “proud underdog”.
“My journey in the arts is a dream come true,” she said.
“I recently graduated with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music in London yesterday. I hold two degrees and I have an international career with my West End debut in a few weeks time.”
“I love what I do and I love being able to share it with you.”
“Stay Blak, Loud and Proud.”