In 2016 Samantha Fry received a Magabala Creative Development Scholarship to fund a mentorship learning the craft of illustration. Working with established illustrator and designer Tracey Gibbs, Samantha was mentored through the complete process of illustrating a manuscript, from roughs, story-boarding and design to final publication.

The outcome, Alfred's War by Rachel Bin Salleh and illustrated by Samantha Fry, was published in April 2018. In 2020 Magabala Books published Samantha Fry's second illustrated title, Brother Moon by Maree McCarthy Yoelu.

Previous Scholarship recipients

2025 Scholars

Carly Wallace

Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello OAM

Jennifer will work on her novel "Blossoms of the Mulga", based on the generational stories and experiences of her family’s Lower Southern Arrernte history.

Kaitlen Wellington

Kaitlen will be supported to purchase writing equipment/materials and travel support to attend the Redroom Poetry’s Fellowship 2025 writer's residency.

Loyola Wills

Loyola will be supported to continue manuscript development of her novel.

Mariah Sweetman

With the provided creative development on offer she will develop skills and create a body of work at a publishing standard.

Ngaire Pigram

Ngaire will attend a 5 - week online course and receive further support for creative development to author a children’s picture book based on their experiences living as a boisterous, little dreamer from a small coastal town in 1983.

Shinade Mourambine

Shinade will be supported for professional development in writing.

Zakayyah Maclean

With the support of the scholarship, Zakayyah will develop and publish a creative zine and create a small archival website.

2024 Scholars

Gabby Williams

Logan Lockyer

Jade Goodwin

Jasmin McGaughey

Marlanie Haerewa

Michelle Hyde

Phoebe Grainer

2023 Scholars

Belle Martin

Darby Jones

Elise Thornthwaite

Fern Martins

Kalem Murray

Lucas Schober and Jordan Adams

Noelene Cox

Sabrina Swift

Shannon Clohessy

Ta-Marrah O’Reeri

2022 Scholars 

Ari Mills 

Brooke Robinson 

Charmaine Ledden-Lewis 

Eddie Kitching 

Janice Slater

Jayne Christian

Joanna Agius 

Lay Maloney 

Lulu Houdini 

Merinda Dutton 

Samantha Campbell 

Tahnaya Hunt 

Tahnee Carter

2021 Scholars

Casey Mulder 

Elijah Money 

Kerry Moran

Marjorie Williams 

Natalie Davey 

Teela Reid

2020 Scholars

Carl Merrison 

Gaberyah Cox 

Uncle Greg Simms 

Kirli Saunders 

Linda Augusto

Tyrown Waigana 

2019 Scholars

Robyn Jean 

Neville Poelina 

Rowena Morgan 

Dub Leffler 

Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr 

2017/2018 Scholars

Barbara Marie Sheehy 

Bronwyn Houston

Natalie Davey 

Gregg Dreise 

Brenton (Ezra) McKenna 

Karen Gibson 

Paul Seden 

Samantha Fry  

Dub Leffler  

Gregg Dreise 

Johnny Malibirr 

2016 Scholars

Enoch Mailangi 

Samantha Fry 

Bruno Starrs 

Kamsani Bin Salleh 

Brenton (Ezra) McKenna 

Sharon Hughes 

Maree McCarthy Yoelu 

Gregg Dreise 

2015 Scholars

Jane Harrison 

Paul Seden 

Fern Martins 

Sharona Wilson 

2014 Scholars

Tori-Jay Mordey 

Reggie Sultan 

Maureen Nampijimpa O'Keefe 

Samuel Stream 

2013 Scholars

Archie Weller 

Dub Leffler 

Jannali Jones 

Joshua Button

Fern Martins 

Support the Magabala Scholarships program

With your donation we can continue to support the creative development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers and illustrators. 

 Joshua Button working on an illustration for ‘Steve goes to Carnival’ (Joshua Button and Robyn Wells, Magabala 2016)