Artists Awarded 2026 Veolia Creative Arts Scholarships
Four Outstanding Artists Awarded 2026 Veolia Creative Arts Scholarships
Four outstanding local artists have recently been awarded prestigious 2026 Veolia Creative Arts Scholarships, each receiving $4,000 to advance their creative endeavours over the next 12 months and enrich our region’s vibrant cultural landscape.
The Veolia Mulwaree Trust proudly announces this year’s talented and diverse recipients:
● Garth Prentice – a musician from Goulburn
● Annabelle Smithers – an actor, singer and dancer from Tarago
● Harry Laing – a poet, comic performer and children’s author from Reidsdale ● Chris Gordon – a script writer and theatre producer from Goulburn
At a ceremony in Goulburn, Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship Patron Jennifer Lamb OAM and Southern Tablelands Arts Executive Officer Rose Marin presented the awards.
“The Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship initiative has invested more than $170,000 in supporting over 60 local artists throughout its 19-year history,” Lamb said. “This ongoing commitment continues to nurture and develop our region’s creative talent.”
Applications for the 2027 program will open to artists across all disciplines from the eligible local government areas of Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Oberon, Shoalhaven and the former Palerang area.
Applications for the 2027 program will open to artists across all disciplines from the eligible local government areas of Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Oberon, Shoalhaven and the former Palerang area.
2026 Scholarship Presentation Photo: Attending the presentation of the Veolia Creative Arts Scholarships for 2025, from left, Scholarship Patron Jennifer Lamb OAM, 2026 scholarship recipients
with panel member Rose Marin, Executive Director of Southern Tablelands Arts.
ABOUT VEOLIA MULWAREE TRUST
Veolia Mulwaree Trust manages and distributes funds to not-for-profit community groups and organisations for the benefit of the former Mulwaree Shire Council area, as well as its immediate surrounds. Through the trust, Veolia has supported local schools and preschools, sporting facilities, parks and playgrounds, emergency services, charities and community service organisations. The trust also supports a range of academic and creative artist community projects, and academic and arts scholarships.
CONTACT VEOLIA MULWAREE TRUST
For further information about the scholarship program, visit the Veolia Mulwaree Trust online or contact them via [email protected]
About the Award Winning Artists for 2026
Harry Laing is poet, comic performer and children’s author from Reidsdale, QPRC
2026 Veolia Creative Art Scholarship for Arts Practice
Harry Laing is poet, comic performer and children’s author from Reidsdale, Braidwood.
A published poet with four collections to his name, Harry’s most recent publication ‘Time of Fire’ is an ‘electrifying rare and poetic insight into the drama of the fires’ of 2019/20. He is also a comic performer and children’s author and has written and performed in six solo shows.
The 2026 Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship will support Harry to continue working on his new solo show ‘BirdMan’ alongside well-known director John Bolton. Harry is looking forward to performing the show for audiences in the Veolia Mulwaree Trust area and beyond.
Harry lives and works beside Monga Forest. His writing, both for the page and for performance, is inspired by the power
of the natural world and in particular the astonishing diversity and character of birds.
Garth Prentice, a musician from Goulburn
2026 Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship for Arts Practice
Garth Prentice is a music performer and educator in Goulburn NSW. His projects focus on the development of the musical community and support of artists, from beginners to advanced.
With the support of the Veolia Mulwaree Arts Scholarship and Southern Tablelands Arts, his residency at Goulburn’s niche and community music venue ‘The Goulburn Club’ will be returning in 2026.
Garth and Friends at the Goulburn Club is a staple of the musical arts in Goulburn and supports local artists with performance and networking opportunities. Collaboration in regional and rural areas between artists of differing disciplines opens, expands and enhances the creative opportunities for all involved. It is important to be exposed to peers, industry creatives and implementers of business.
Throughout 2026 there will be four, high quality, showcases of Goulburn Mulwaree’s professional, semi- professional and up and coming musical performers. These will be opportunities for these artists to showcase their best material and present themselves to the local community.
The performance program will run alongside Southern Tablelands Arts ‘AAMP Program’. A networking and community building event where the artists involved will be able to connect with other creatives and share news, opportunities and ideas.
Chris Gordon, a script writer and theatre producer from Goulburn
2026 Veolia Creative Art Scholarship for Arts
Practice
Chris Gordon is a script writer and theatre producer from Goulburn and the Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship will support his latest production “Vox Populi”, a play which examines issues and themes relating to politics, freedom, dictatorial rule, the freedom to, and the dangers of speaking out.
Chris’ intention with Vox Populi was to build a production from scratch in Goulburn – “Every line, every piece of staging, all acting and all other creative processes entirely from within our community. To that end we have successfully auditioned a magnificent and inclusive cast made up of performers with experience across all of Goulburn’s theatrical companies,” Chris explained.
In terms of creative opportunities, as writer and producer it is Chris’ first opportunity to have a non-musical play performed, and his first work to be performed at the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre from July 16-18.
Annabelle Smithers, an actor, singer and dancer from Tarago
2026 Veolia Creative Art Scholarship for Arts Study
Annabelle’s art practice centres on developing as a committed, versatile performer with a strong sense of creative voice and community responsibility. With the support of the Veolia Creative Arts Scholarship, Annabelle will study with Actors Centre Australia (ACA) in their Foundation Program in 2026, one of Australia’s leading part-time training pathways for emerging actors.
The program’s integrated focus on acting, voice, movement, and performance skills will allow Annabelle to strengthen her technique, confidence, and artistic discipline in a professional, supportive environment.
Through this training, Annabelle aims to build a solid foundation for future study toward a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) while becoming industry ready. “Importantly, I plan to bring the skills, confidence, and creative energy gained at ACA back to my regional community in Tarago, contributing to local arts initiatives, community projects, and future creative opportunities, Annabelle said.
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