Tovey, Noel Christian

A pioneering Aboriginal Elder and extraordinary performing artist, Noel Tovey AM was born in Melbourne in 1934. He excelled as a dancer, actor, singer, choreographer, director, designer, writer, and teacher and worked across Australia, Europe, and the UK. He was  Australia's first male ballet dancer of Aboriginal heritage and the principal dancer with Sadler's Wells Opera Ballet in London. A passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights and a dedicated mentor for young Indigenous performers.

Notable Artistic Works

Directed The Aboriginal Protestors (all-Aboriginal cast, performed in Germany)
Directed A Midsummer Night's Dream (all-Aboriginal cast) for The Dreaming Festival at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Arts Festival
Autobiographical play and book: Little Black Bastard.

Recognition & Impact

Recipient of the Uncle Bob Maza Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award
Inducted into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame
Recipient of the Order of Australia Medal
Established the Fruit Fly Circus scholarship fund