The Balnaves Foundation and Belvoir St Theatre are delighted to announce Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong and Whadjuk woman Bianca Hunt as the 2026 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellow, following a competitive application process. Known for her work as an author, host, broadcaster and MC, Hunt will work at Belvoir St Theatre over a two-year period from January 2026 to December 2027 as a resident artist to create a new work for the stage.
As a TV presenter, media personality, interviewer and author, Hunt’s career spans sport, travel, fashion and music journalism. Her TV roles include SBS’s Going Places with Ernie Dingo, Coles Healthy Kicks, Yokayi Footy, and even a stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! In the brand world, Bianca has fronted campaigns for Bonds, LinkedIn and Intrepid Travel.
With a passion for hearing other people’s stories and for sharing her own, Hunt has dedicated her career to uplifting First Nations people and platforming women in media and is an ambassador for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Wyanga Elders.
The Balnaves Foundation is the Principal Partner of First Nations Theatre at Belvoir St Theatre. Since 2011, the Foundation has supported First Nations programming at Belvoir, helping ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories reach new audiences.
The Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Fellowship at Belvoir St Theatre is open to playwrights to write a new play, and to directors or writer/directors that can lead the creation of a First Nations-led stage work, whether that be a new play, an adaptation or through a devised process. It also includes an invitation to have a voice in Belvoir’s artistic decision-making processes.
From its origins as The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright Award, this Fellowship is recognised as one of the most prestigious theatre awards in Australia, attracting entrants of the highest calibre. Past winners include current 2025/26 Fellow Hannah Belanszky who will work alongside Hunt, as well as Guy Simon (2023), Dalara Williams (2022), Thomas Weatherall (2021), Jorjia Gillis (2020), Nathan Maynard (2019), Kodie Bedford (2018) and Megan Wilding (2017), just to name a few. All past Fellows have created exceptional works that consistently affirm the depth of talent amongst our nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre-makers, whilst bringing extraordinary works to the Belvoir stage.
Hamish Balnaves, CEO of The Balnaves Foundation said, “The Balnaves Foundation and I are thrilled to celebrate Bianca Hunt as the 2026 Balnaves Fellow at Belvoir St Theatre. Our collaboration with Belvoir continues to champion emerging First Nations artists as they create bold new stories for the stage. We look forward to witnessing her creative journey unfold and seeing the work she will bring to life through this Fellowship.”
Aaron Beach, Belvoir’s Executive Director said, “We are very pleased with the quality and calibre of this year’s applications. They included several first-time applicants from the First Nations artistic community.”
Additional information can be found on the Belvoir website: https://belvoir.com.au/for-artists/fellowship-and-residencies/
Photo credit: Stephen Wilson Barker