Umina man is student of the year

Umina resident Mr Anthony Mayor has received a Student of the Year award from Naisda Dance College for his talent and ability with visual and performing arts.

Originally from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Mr Mayor completed a Certificate III Developing Artist qualification last year and is now enrolled in a Certificate IV course at the Mt Penang college.

The gifted dancer and visual artist began to show his talent and creativity from a young age, when he began making linocuts to sell to tourists as a young student.

Mr Mayor said the complex and beautiful drawings depicted stories of myths and legends and featured animals.

Mr Mayor currently lives in Umina with a group of Naisda graduates.

In addition to his exceptional dance skills, Mr Mayor's work has also been exhibited in the foyer of the Australian Council building in Sydney.

The painting, which is eight meters long, tells the story of a young boy called Nginu and forms a backdrop for the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir, appearing onstage with them during their performances in countries like Singapore and China.

On being asked what he hopes to do after completion of his studies, Mr Mayor expressed a desire to audition with the Bangarra Dance Theatre and travel around the country and internationally with them.

Mr Mayor also has a long-term dream of opening his own dance school on Thursday Island for children once he finishes travelling and touring the world as a talented and inspirational dancer, promoting the culture, values and traditions of Indigenous Australians.

Nitasha Thomson, 2 Jul 2010 Interviewee: Anthony Mayor, Umina