Kylie Belling

Kylie Belling is a highly respected leader in the arts, having performed in theatre, film and television, while also working with community and government in the First Peoples space for over 30 years. Her work has elevated Aboriginal cultural representation across the country and has brought Aboriginal voices into the homes of everyday Australians. As a proud mother, recent grandmother, advocate, creative and change-maker, Kylie has built foundations and laid pathways for First Peoples creators and performers.

Growing up on Kulin Country in what was then a little town on the outskirts of Melbourne, Kylie was one of 5 Aboriginal children adopted by non-Aboriginal parents, Jim and Claire Belling. With 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters, the Belling ‘clan’ were the only Aboriginal children growing up in Keilor, with the town welcoming them with open arms. Like many adopted children, Kylie went on to find her birth family, who embraced her and continue to play a pivotal role in her life and identity as a proud Aboriginal woman.

Kylie is the eldest daughter of Rose Bamblett, whose dedication and commitment to Koorie early childhood education has left a lasting legacy. Kylie continues her family’s work to ensure that cultural integrity remains a guiding pillar in the steps towards Aboriginal justice. As a Bamblett, she has a large extended Aboriginal family who continue to lead in the Aboriginal education and social justice sector. Kylie is also connected with her South Sea Islander Tass family who also provide loving family connections.

Kylie’s interest in the arts began at an early age when she was sent to elocution lessons because of a lisp. While the lisp eventually disappeared, her joy and ability to perform through elocution competitions and examinations grew, and her love of performing flourished. After leaving school, attending secretarial college and working in the History Department at The University of Melbourne, Kylie took up the opportunity to audition for the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

In 1985, Kylie became the first Aboriginal graduate from the VCA, marking the start of a distinguished career. Kylie is often recognised for her screen performances in landmark Australian productions, including The Fringe Dwellers, The Flying Doctors, Prisoner, Redfern Now, and The Sapphires. Kylie was nominated for an Australian Film Institute Awards Supporting Actor role for her performance of Noonah in The Fringe Dwellers. It was while filming that she met and was mentored by the late great Aunty Justine Saunders and Uncle Bob Maza. The role in Prisoner came about thanks to Aunty Justine Saunders’ long advocacy for an Aboriginal storyline, due to the over- representation of Aboriginal people in incarceration. Aunty Justine also featured in a guest role as a social worker interacting with Kylie’s prisoner role.

Kylie’s contribution to theatre and the arts extends beyond performance. In 1991, she was one of 13 Aboriginal co-founders of ILBIJERRI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Co-operative Limited. She was its first Artistic Director and played a key role in ILBIJERRI’s early and ongoing success.

Kylie is immensely proud of the work she was involved with while at ILBIJERRI, where her credits include:

• directing its first production, the John Harding play Up the Road
• early involvement in what was to become the acclaimed Jane Harrison play Stolen
• a co-writer and Director of The Dirty Miles, a dramatised walking trail with Parkies Inc. to showcase the history of Aboriginal Fitzroy
• directing Natives Getting Restless Funny and Natives Striking Blak for the Melbourne Comedy Festival
• directing Seven Deadly Gins with Aboriginal women at the Dame Phyliss Frost Centre
• directing Chopped Liver, the first of ILBIJERRI’s social impact plays focusing on Aboriginal health

• being involved in producing ILBIJERRI’s 30 Years Bold. Black. Brilliant. anniversary book.

Kylie has been actively involved in the Victorian Aboriginal community for most of her adult life, working for peak organisations in the fields of Koorie education, justice, health, and the arts. She is honoured to have been mentored by her uncle, Lionel Bamblett, at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc., and gain a teaching degree. Whilst working for the Victorian Government, Kylie was also mentored by Andrew Jackomos and studied a Master of Public Health.

Kylie’s leadership has extended into policy and institutional contexts, amplifying cultural integrity and Aboriginal decision- making. Kylie worked on introducing Aboriginal self-determination in the policy context, leading and managing the delivery of Korin Korin Balit-Djak, a 10-year plan to improve Aboriginal health and wellbeing. At Creative Victoria, she worked on embedding Aboriginal self-determination into Creative State 2025, supporting First Peoples leadership in creative industries. She established the Creative Victoria First Peoples Direction Circle and incorporated Aboriginal decision-making in policy and program development. Kylie has also served many arts and community organisations, including as a current board member of Djirra Victorian Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service and member of the National Gallery of Victoria’s First Nations Strategic Council.