Wallabadah accessory designer Robbie Hartigan and West Tamworth musician Aimee Hannan have been named finalists in the 2026 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, securing mentorship opportunities with some of Australia’s leading creative professionals.
Presented by Façon Magazine and supported by Greater Bank, the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship is entering its fourth year. The program aims to support emerging Indigenous creatives through mentorship, professional development and financial assistance.
This year’s finalists will be paired with mentors across a range of creative disciplines, including fashion and accessory design, music, painting, digital art, film, writing, photography and dance.
Eight finalists will each receive a $1,000 cash prize in 2026, with one participant to be awarded the program’s major $10,000 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship. The awards are funded through Greater Bank’s support.
2026 finalists and mentors
- Fashion Design: Kartika Medcraft-Smith, mentored by Samantha Harris
- Accessory Design: Robbie Hartigan, mentored by Corin Corcoran
- Art Painting: Jasmine Christie, mentored by Saretta Fielding, Malang Indigenous Corporation
- Music: Aimee Hannan, mentored by Casey Donovan
- Dance: Holly Faulds, mentored by Damian Smith
- Writing: Aaron Taylor, mentored by Joshua Gilbert
- Digital Art: Nicole Smede, mentored by Rheanna Lotter
- Film: Liam Forrest, mentored by Brendan Blacklock
- Photography: Raymond Kelly, mentored by Warren Taggart
Façon Australia founder and editor-in-chief Lara Lupish said the scholarship had become an important platform for Indigenous creatives.
“The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship is about more than recognising talent, it’s about investing in future creative leaders and ensuring Indigenous stories continue to be shared.
“The calibre of mentors involved this year reflects the importance of nurturing emerging Indigenous creatives and providing opportunities that can genuinely shape careers.
“We are incredibly proud of this year’s finalists and look forward to seeing how they grow throughout the program.”
NGM Group head of community and sustainability Kirrah McClelland, whose organisation includes Greater Bank, said the finalists had demonstrated creativity and commitment through their work.
“The originality, skill and vision shown by each of the finalists is truly inspiring,” McClelland said.
“We’re proud to support them and are excited to watch them continue to grow and thrive through these mentorships.”
Over coming months, finalists will receive one-on-one mentoring while developing projects centred on culture, creativity and storytelling within their chosen fields.
The recipient of the $10,000 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship will be announced during NAIDOC Week at an event at Murrook Culture Centre in Port Stephens.
More information is available at www.faconaustralia.com.
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