Meet Mr Vic NAIDOC 2023
Wamba Wamba and Ngarrindjeri playwright, Brodie Murray, was awarded the title of Mr Vic NAIDOC 2023 at the recent Victorian NAIDOC Awards.
Brodie, a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) at the VCA, was recognised for his contributions to the Victorian community and the arts.
In reflecting on the significance of the award, Brodie said: "This means a great deal to me as a proud Wamba Wamba man. I’ve grown up with great mentors such as my father, Uncle Ron Murray, my grandparents, Uncle Bes, and Aunt Lorraine Murray. I’m proud of what they’ve done and hope to continue leading a good example for other young people. It means so much for me to be acknowledged by my community."
As Mr Vic NAIDOC, Brodie will have the opportunity to speak at several public events, such as the State Reception at Parliament and the Aborigines Advancement League, furthering his interaction with the Victorian community.
Brodie also plans to use this platform to support others in finding their voice.
“I want to use my experiences as a storyteller, performing artist, and playwright to help other First Nations artists and theatre makers in the creative space,” he said.
Brodie wants to see more Aboriginal stories on stages across the country and has made important strides toward this goal through his own work.
His debut play, 'Soul of Possum' (2021), depicted a first contact narrative set on Wamba Wamba country. The play premiered at the Yirramboi Arts Festival and explored the complex relationship between settlers and Aboriginal people during the 1850s.
Brodie's second play, 'Billy's Choice' (2021), highlighted the challenges faced by young Indigenous Australians transitioning into adulthood. The show debuted at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, earning him the Best Emerging Indigenous Artist Award and a Young Creatives Award.
Building on this success, Brodie unveiled his third play, 'The Whisper’ (2022), which also premiered at the Melbourne Fringe Festival and showcased the survival journey of a Ngarrindjeri family in 1940s Australia.
Associate Professor Chris Mead, Head of Theatre at the VCA, expressed his pride in Brodie's accomplishments: "We could not be prouder of Brodie and his achievements. Having known him for a number of years, I consider him to be deeply thoughtful, a very capable storyteller, and part of the change for the future that we need."