Indigenous dancing star recognised with scholarship

Proud Kamilaroi woman Ashley George is dancing her way into success, winning a Young, Black and Proud arts scholarship.

Ashley’s been dancing since she was a child, and it’s one of her great passions in life. Today she is a performer, choreographer and teacher. She’s also currently studying for ballet teaching qualifications at the Royal Academy of Dance and the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dance Contemporary.

Taking on all this and more, Ashley is also currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in dance and minoring in Indigenous knowledges. She is passionate about pursuing a career in the performing arts across commercial and Indigenous dance.

Ashley wishes to further her learning in both dance and Indigenous knowledges long after she graduates. She will to continue to embrace her culture after she leaves university.

“I’m using my university classes to learn more about my culture as I wasn’t taught much during school,” Ashley said.

“Indigenous politics, identities, role models, opportunities and standpoints have become a huge part of life since attending university.”

Ashley has represented her culture in Sorry ceremonies and is currently a Student Ambassador for the Oodgeroo Unit at QUT.

If that’s not enough, Ashley plans to use her scholarship money for additional classes and workshops beyond her university studies.

We recently celebrated Ashley and the other scholarship winners at an awards ceremony at the State Library of Queensland. Our partner, the Queensland Family and Child Commission co-hosted the event.

We award the scholarship annually and celebrate the achievements of Indigenous youth across the areas of academics, arts and sports.

Ashley was one of three arts scholarship recipients in this round of winners, alongside five academic winners and five sports.

Read more about our other 2021 winners here.