Bob Maza

Bob Maza, born 25 November 1939 on Palm Island, Queensland, died 14 May 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.

Activism

In the 1960s, he was inspired by Malcolm X Speaks, and became 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". In 1972, he took part in the Aboriginal Tent Embassy protest.

Literary career

Maza's plays include Mereki and The Keepers.

He helped found theatre companies including Nindethana and the National Black Theatre.

Acting career

Maza has appeared in television series including Bellbird, 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).

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".

Today, the Bob Maza Fellowship, awarded by the Australian government, is destined to help further the career of established Indigenous actors.