Cirrus@Austlit

The childhood experiences of Noel Tovey were cruel and painful. He was subjected to a violent environment where he suffered an array of abuse, was abandoned by his parents and grew up on the street. The abuse and discrimination continued and Tovey was seventeen when he was sentenced to jail. At this point in the life of Noel Tovey, he was close to defeat when he turned his life around by pursuing a career in acting and dancing.

His work in the radio, television and theatre industry led him to England in 1960 where he became a respected choreographer at Sadler's Wells Opera. Before his return from England, Tovey had established a leading Art Gallery in London with his former partner David who died. Tovey became more conscious of his identity as an Indigenous Australian and sought to connect and work closer with the Aboriginal community upon his return to Australia in 1991. Along with working on boards and in committees over the years, Tovey was the Artistic Director for the Indigenous Welcoming Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.