Ursula Yovich facts for kids

Ursula Yovich is a talented Aboriginal Australian actress and singer. She is famous for her many roles in plays and musicals. She also helped write and starred in the rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs. You might have seen her in movies and TV shows too!

Early Life and Background

Ursula Yovich was born and grew up in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Her father, Slobodan Jović, was an immigrant from Serbia. He changed his name to Stan Yovich to make it sound more English. Her mother is an Aboriginal woman from a place called north-west Arnhem Land, near the Blyth River. The closest community to her mother's home is Maningrida.

A Career in Acting and Music

Ursula Yovich has been in more than 20 theatre shows and musicals. Some of these include Capricornia, Mother Courage and her Children, and The Sapphires. She also performed in The Sunshine Club and The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom.

She helped create the rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs. Ursula wrote the story and songs for this show with Alana Valentine. She also starred in it alongside Elaine Crombie.

Ursula has appeared in several movies. These include Jindabyne, Australia, and Goldstone. On TV, she has been in shows like Redfern Now, Mystery Road (season 2), and the comedy series Preppers.

The SBS network even made a documentary about her called Blaktrax.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Ursula Yovich has won many awards for her amazing work.

Awards Won

In 2002, Ursula received the first-ever Bob Maza Memorial Award. This award was given by the Australian Film Commission. It celebrates new Indigenous actors and helps them grow their skills.

In 2016, she won the Sidney Myer individual award. This award recognized her excellent work in theatre over many years. Later that same year, she also received the Balnaves Foundation's Indigenous playwrights award.

Ursula has won three Helpmann Awards, which are very important awards in Australian theatre.

• In 2007, she won for Best Female Actor in a Play for her role in Capricornia.
• In 2019, she won two Helpmann Awards for Barbara and the Camp Dogs: Best Female Actor in a Musical and Best Original Score.

In 2021, Ursula was given the Sandra Bates Director's Award by the Ensemble Theatre.

Award Nominations

Ursula has also been nominated for many awards.

• In 2019, her musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs was nominated for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting.
• When Barbara and the Camp Dogs first opened in 2017, Ursula was nominated for Best New Australian Work, Best Original Score, and Best Female Actor at the Sydney Theatre Awards.
• The musical also received a Music Theatre AWGIE nomination.

She has also been nominated for lead and supporting roles in plays and musicals many times. In 2010, she was nominated for Best Cabaret Performer for her show Magpie Blues.

Personal Life

As of 2009, Ursula Yovich was married to Stewart O'Connell, who is a lawyer. They have one daughter together.

Film Roles

Here are some of the movies Ursula Yovich has appeared in:

Television Roles

Here are some of the TV shows Ursula Yovich has been in:

Theatre Performances

In 2019, Ursula Yovich decided to take a break from theatre after 22 years. She was also busy filming the second season of Mystery Road at the time. However, in 2024, she returned to the stage, appearing in The Lewis Trilogy.

Music Albums

Ursula Yovich has also released music:

• Sketches EP (2004)
• Magpie Blues Live
• Well-Behaved Women(2023, she was a contributing singer)