Being an Adelaide Fringe Ambassador is about more than just representation. To me it’s a responsibility as an artist to uphold our values, to promote creativity, to promote the arts, to promote the Fringe. It’s about creating a context that goes beyond just community—it’s about using art to inspire change, make connections, and speak to our shared values. Adelaide Fringe is an Artist place, is a place where it feels like a home, it’s a community, and it's a family – that’s why I keep coming back to Adelaide Fringe. 

I started out at the Fringe with a show and that foundation allowed me to grow. Since then, I’ve performed that show at other festivals, traveling and taking my show to other places as I expanded my audience base out of the regions. 

As an Adelaide-based artist, Fringe has been instrumental in helping me connect with new audiences, tour my work, and develop as an artist. It’s also given me the courage to take creative risks and build meaningful relationships, which continue to shape my career. The impact is ongoing—it’s like a ripple effect, fostering creativity and allowing me to grow both personally and professionally.

Representation is critical because First Nations artists are often underrepresented across the arts community. Whenever a First Nations artist develops a show and shares their stories, it's an offering to Australians, a gift to all Australians to learn more about culture, have a deeper connection to the place and connect to the traditional owner of the space. These performances create space for audiences to experience the richness of First Nations storytelling, which benefits everyone.

It’s also about creating pathways for emerging First Nations artists, nurturing their talent, and amplifying their voices. Supporting First Nations artists helps foster reconciliation— it continues the storytelling that's been going on in this country for 65,000 years. It's about ensuring these stories are seen, heard, and celebrated, and it contributes to ongoing cultural education and connection.  

First Nations performances bring a unique range of genres, stories, and perspectives. My hope is that audiences walk away feeling moved, challenged, or inspired to see things differently—maybe even from a First Nations perspective. I want them to experience the strength, depth, and vibrancy of First Nations storytelling, as well as the creativity and brilliance of the artists. I hope it shifts their perceptions and leaves them thinking differently about First Nations culture and identity.

There are simple yet impactful ways to support reconciliation: