Ayla says her ‘…life revolves around visual arts, making, writing, and playing music and performing. I… cannot get through a day without being creative. The bulk of my study over the past two years has been in the arts as well as my spare time. I can never remember a time when I was not creating art.’

On the announcement of receiving the bursary, Sophie had this to say: “Ever since I was in my primary school's production of Mary Poppins I've wanted to pursue theatre.”

Tara is an aspiring photojournalist. At the time of receiving the bursary, Tara had just completed year 11 at Hellyer College. Through her photography she seeks to tell stories which preserve people and places within local communities.

Lexie has experience across a range of arts genres including dance, music and singing. She has been performing since primary school, treading the boards in several Burnie Musical Society pantomimes. She has competed in the Burnie Eisteddfod since 2014, winning the Under 18 Recitation Championship in 2017 and 2019. In 2018 Lexie won the award for Outstanding Performance in the Speech and Drama section.

Connor is a performer whose theatrical career started when he was in Grade 7 at Burnie High School. He has performed in many productions during his six years at High School and then Hellyer College. His passion is evident - just look at the bio picture taken during a performance of Hellyer College’s Godspell. Connor also has experience with local theatre companies such as DoMaur Productions Inc (where he has fulfilled both acting and directing duties) and the Ulverstone Repertory Society. He has appeared in two television commercials.

Katelyn Geard is a visual artist from Tarleton. Katelyn had just finished her year 12 at Don College when she received the Helen Jones OAM Memorial Arts Bursary. 

Julia Parker is a talented violinist from Circular Head. After receiving the Helen Denise Jones Memorial Bursary at the end of 2017, Julia headed off for her first year of tertiary studies at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

The inaugural recipient of the Helen Denise Jones OAM Arts Bursary debuted on stage at age 13 playing the role of Charlie Bates in the Burnie Musical Society’s production of Oliver. He has since appeared in three more Burnie Musical Society shows in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Along with school productions, Blake has had principle roles in the Burnie PCYC’s productions of Hairspray (2013) and Jesus Christ Superstar in 2015.