Noel Tovey was born on Christmas Day, 25 December 1934, and passed away peacefully on 11 August 2025, aged ninety.
Aboriginal elder, Noel made a massive mark on the entertainment industry in so many areas, from dancer, director, choreographer, designer and writer. He worked extensively in all fields throughout Australia, the UK and Europe. He performed in the original Australian productions of Paint Your Wagon, The Music Man, in the Philip Street production of The Boyfriend, which he also choreographed, acted in comedies and straight plays, danced in contemporary ballets and taught dance workshops.
Noel received several awards throughout his life which included the Uncle Bob Maza Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, his induction into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame and received an Order of Australia for his significant contributions to the arts and his communities. He supported young indigenous performers through his teaching and also through his involvement with the Fruit Fly Circus.
As well as working tirelessly as a mentor and Aboriginal rights activist, he was a strong LGBTQIA+ rights advocate.
His autobiography, Little Black Bastard openly told of his traumatic childhood and abuse and is a story of survival told with brutal honesty. The book sold throughout the world and was groundbreaking for its openness.