Bob Maza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Maza
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Addressing a protest at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, July 1972
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Robert Lewis Maza
25 November 1939 Palm Island, Queensland, Australia
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| Died | 14 May 2000 (aged 60) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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| Occupation | Actor, playwright |
Robert Lewis Maza (25 November 1939 – 14 May 2000), known as Bob Maza, was an Aboriginal Australian actor, playwright, and activist. He was a very important person in Australian arts and for Indigenous rights.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Lewis Maza was born on Palm Island in North Queensland on 25 November 1939. His father was a Murray Islander (Torres Strait Islander), and his mother was Yidinjdji (Australian Aboriginal).
He was one of the first Aboriginal children in northern Queensland to finish high school. He sometimes felt like he didn't quite fit in, being caught between two different cultures as a teenager. After school in Cairns, he worked as a labourer and then in an office in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Activism for Rights
In the late 1960s, Bob Maza moved to Melbourne. There, he joined the Aboriginal Advancement League (AAL) and started working for Indigenous rights. He was inspired by a book called Malcolm X Speaks. Soon after, he became the president of the AAL.
In 1970, Maza went to the third Pan-African Conference in the United States. He saw how powerful Indigenous theatre could be there. Also in 1970, he spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. He talked about the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians.
In 1972, he took part in the famous Aboriginal Tent Embassy protest. This was a protest camp set up in front of Parliament House in Canberra to demand Indigenous land rights.
Acting Career
After moving to Melbourne, Bob Maza became a musician and actor. He appeared in many TV shows and plays.
Television Roles
Bob Maza became well-known for playing Gerry Walters in the ABC series Bellbird. He also acted in many other television series. Some of these included Hunter, Homicide, Wildside, A Country Practice, and Women of the Sun.
Theatre Work
In 1971, Maza started working in theatre with Jack Charles. They created Nindethana, a theatre group. Their first show was a funny play called Jack Charles Is Up and Fighting.
In 1972, he helped set up the National Black Theatre in Sydney. He also acted in their first show, Basically Black.
After the National Black Theatre lost its funding, Maza helped start the Black Theatre Arts and Culture Centre in Redfern. He was its first artistic director when it opened in 1974. In 1975, he directed his first play, Robert J. Merritt's The Cake Man. This was a very important play. It was the first play by an Indigenous writer to be published, shown on TV, and performed around the world. He later directed other plays like Up the Ladder and No Sugar.
He also acted on stage for the Nimrod Theatre. He performed in plays such as Are You Now, or Have You Ever Been? and Bullie's House.
Film Appearances
Bob Maza also acted in many films. These included When the Stars Came Dreaming (1998), Lilian's Story (1996), The Back of Beyond (1995), Reckless Kelly (1993), and The Fringe Dwellers (1986).
Literary Career
Bob Maza was also a talented playwright. His most famous play was The Keepers (1989). He also wrote plays like Mereki, Tiddalik the Frog, and The Rainbow Serpent. These plays were based on old traditional stories. He wanted to help keep Aboriginal culture alive through his plays.
The Keepers was based on a true story about a Scottish family meeting the last members of the Buandig people in South Australia. This happened during the Australian frontier wars, a time of conflict. The play was performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and at Belvoir Street Theatre. Bob Maza directed it himself.
The Keepers was the first play produced by the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust. Maza won the National Black Playwright Award for this amazing play.
Other Important Activities
Bob Maza taught Indigenous Studies at Tranby Aboriginal College in Sydney. He was also the Assistant Director of Studies there.
From 1995 to 1998, he was the first Indigenous commissioner of the Australian Film Commission. During this time, he helped create a special unit to support Indigenous filmmakers.
Recognition and Awards
Bob Maza received many awards for his work.
In 1981, he was an official delegate at the World Indigenous Festival in Canada.
He won the National Black Playwright Award for his play The Keepers in 1989.
In 1993, he was given the Order of Australia. This award recognized his important contributions to the arts and to Indigenous people.
In 1998, Maza won the Red Ochre Award. This award is given by the Australia Council for the Arts to an outstanding Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist for their lifetime achievements.
Death and Legacy
Bob Maza passed away on 14 May 2000 in Sydney. His work continues to inspire many people.
Awards in His Name
To honor Bob Maza, several awards were created in his name.
At the Tudawali Awards in 2002, the Indigenous Unit of the Australian Film Commission (AFC) created the Bob Maza Memorial Award. This award recognized new acting talent and helped them grow professionally. Ursula Yovich was the first person to receive this award.
Bob Maza Fellowship
The Bob Maza Fellowship was created by the AFC (now Screen Australia). It helps an experienced Indigenous actor improve their skills and become more known internationally. The award money helps them travel for training or to meet agents.
Winners of the Bob Maza Fellowship include:
- 2005: Ursula Lovich & Tom E. Lewis
- 2006: Leah Purcell
- 2007: Aaron Pedersen
- 2008: Luke Carroll, presented at the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival
- 2011: Wayne Blair
- 2013: Tony Briggs
Uncle Bob Maza Memorial Award
The Uncle Bob Maza Memorial Award is given for outstanding contributions to Victorian Indigenous Theatre. It is part of the Victorian Indigenous Performing Arts (VIPA) Awards.
Some people who have received this award are:
- 2003: Rachael Maza
- 2005: Warren Owens
- 2014: Noel Tovey
- Pauline Whyman (who won it twice)
Personal Life
Bob Maza was married to Vera Blankman, who was from the Netherlands. They had two daughters: Rachael Maza Long, who is an actor and director, and Lisa Maza, who is a writer.
