Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration

Namila Benson works as a journalist, broadcaster and producer, working across multiple public and media platforms, taking a visual arts lens to a range of issues to create engaging and accessible conversations. Throughout her extensive and ongoing career, she’s worked across radio, television and digital platforms, including on Radio Australia and as a field reporter on ABC TV’s Sunday Arts and Art Nation programs.

Namila skillfully guides complex conversations on race, culture, gender and misplaced perceptions of ‘otherness’ through a creative lens, specialising in visual art and music. Focusing on black body politics and diaspora/settler identity, she brings critical nuance to a wide range of conversations.

In 2019, Namila authored the memoir of First Nations Elder, Jack Charles, Born-Again Blakfella, published by Penguin Books and shortlisted by the Australian Book Industry Awards. Shortly afterwards, she stepped in to anchor The Art Show on Radio National.

In 2021, Namila was appointed host of weekly national arts program, Art Works, currently in its second series on ABC TV and iView.

Namila often asks “who gets to tell a story and for whom”. Visual art is at the heart of her critical thinking and application of context when it comes to creativity, and she regularly explores power dynamics that she critiques, deconstructs, examines and explores with artists and arts practitioners from around the world. 

Zuva Goverwa is a university student currently completing a Bachelor of Arts. Zuva loves all things creative and truly believes in the power of words to move people and create change. Zuva is also the young winner of the Plain English Speaking competition and a rising star on the Wheeler centre's circuit.

https://www.wheelercentre.com/people/namila-benson/ https://www.wheelercentre.com/people/zuva-goverwa/ https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/news-and-events/events-and-awards/pesa/state-final-speeches/Pages/2021/Zuva-Goverwa.aspx