La Trobe University graduate, Blayne Welsh, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to study in the United States.
Mr Welsh, who completed his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Theatre and Drama, is a First Nations man descended from the Wailwan people of western New South Wales.
Mr Welsh said being named a Fulbright scholar is not only an honour, but an opportunity to give back to the broader Indigenous community.
"My father was a member of the stolen generation and as such there's a very large disconnect within my family's cultural heritage and lineage," Mr Welsh said.
"It's important for me to try and bridge that gap and one way I'm able to do this is through my academic journey.
"The Fulbright Scholarship gives me a chance to have a much stronger voice to advocate for Indigenous rights, and the preservation and continuation of Indigenous performance and practices."
