Bob Maza AM 1939-2000

In 1981 Maza was an official delegate to the World Indigenous Festival held in Canada. His stature was acknowledged with membership of the Order of Australia in 1993. In 1995 he was appointed the first Indigenous commissioner of the Australian Film Commission. During his term (1995-98) he was instrumental in establishing the AFC’s Indigenous Unit. In 1998 he was awarded the prestigious Red Ochre Award. Presented by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council, the Red Ochre ‘pays tribute to artists who have made outstanding contributions to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture in the wider community, at both national and international levels.’ He also worked as Assistant Director of Studies at Tranby Aboriginal College at Glebe and lectured there in Indigenous Studies.

In 1981 Maza was an official delegate to the World Indigenous Festival held in Canada for Company B Belvoir, opposite Deborah Mailman as his daughter, Rosalind. Maza and Mailman were among four Indigenous actors in the cast. With typical enthusiasm, Maza said, ‘I imagine a lot of Koori high school kids will come along and watch and go, “Wow, it is a possible dream!”’

Bob Maza died on 14 May 2000. His wife, Kerry, said, ‘I think one of the special qualities that Bob had was that he always made people feel so important and he would never destroy anyone’s dream. They would talk to him about the most incredible things they wanted to do and he’d be so interested and really encourage people to do what they wanted to do. Three of Maza’s nine children, Ben, Rachael and Lisa, are pursuing careers in the performing arts.

To commemorate and celebrate Maza’s life and work, the Australian Film Commission’s Indigenous Branch has established the $10,000 Bob Maza Fellowship. This is awarded annually to an established Indigenous actor to fund his or her professional development. The fellowship must be used for international travel, further training or short courses at an international film training institution, or for meetings with agents, attending castings and establishing contacts in the international arena.

Frank Van Straten, 2007