Bob Maza

Bob Maza, born November 25, 1939 on Palm Island, Queensland, died May 14, 2000 in Sydney, was an Australian actor and playwright. Maza was born to a Murray Islander (Torres Strait Islander) father and to a Yidinjdji (Australian Aboriginal) mother. [ [http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/artists_and_orgs/artists/bob_maza Bob Maza] on the website of the Australia Council for the Arts]

Activism

In the 1960s, he was inspired by "Malcolm X Speaks", and becoame politically active as a member of the Aborigines Advancement League, of which he was subsequently made president. In 1970, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the subject of "the third-world status of Indigenous Australians". [ [http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/artists_and_orgs/artists/bob_maza Bob Maza] on the website of the Australia Council for the Arts] In 1972, he took part in the Aboriginal Tent Embassy protest. [ [http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/artists_and_orgs/artists/bob_maza Bob Maza] on the website of the Australia Council for the Arts]

Literary career

Maza's plays include "Mereki" and "The Keepers". [ [http://www.afc.gov.au/funding/indigenous/practitioner/bob_maza/default.aspx "Bob Maza Fellowship"] , Australian government]

He helped found theatre companies including Nindethana and the National Black Theatre. [ [http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/artists_and_orgs/artists/bob_maza Bob Maza] on the website of the Australia Council for the Arts]

Acting career

Maza has appeared in television series including "Harry's War", "Wildside", "A Difficult Woman", "A Country Practice", "Women of the Sun" and "Heartland". He has also acted in films, including "When the Stars Came Dreaming" (1998), "Lilian's Story" (1996), "The Back of Beyond" (1995), "The Nostradamus Kid" (1993), "Reckless Kelly" (1993), "Ground Zero" (1987), "The Fringe Dwellers" (1986), "BabaKiueria" (1986), "White Man's Legend" (1984), and "27A" (1974). [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0563142/ Bob Maza] on IMBD] [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/person/46768/Bob-Maza/filmography Bob Maza's filmography] , "New York Times"]

Recognition

In 1993, he was awarded the Order of Australia for services to the arts and to Indigenous people. In 1998, he received the Australia Council Red Ochre award for his "outstanding contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts". [ [http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/the_arts/artists_and_orgs/artists/bob_maza Bob Maza] on the website of the Australia Council for the Arts]

Today, the Bob Maza Fellowship, awarded by the Australian government, is destined to help further the career of established Indigenous actors. [ [http://www.afc.gov.au/funding/indigenous/practitioner/bob_maza/default.aspx "Bob Maza Fellowship"] , Australian government]

References