Gemma Bird Matheson

Matheson, who is of Papua New Guinean, English, South African and Scottish decent, most recently starred in Neighbours and co-created The Housemate for the ABC and Screen Australia.

“Being associated with Heath Ledger and the legacy he left – the sense of community he created for Australians in Hollywood and the legacy of giving back to others

– is really inspiring.

“It’s really exciting to be part of this Australian scholarship. This is what Australia looks like, it isn’t just what has typically been shown in the past. So to be part of such a diverse group of young actors representing the Heath Ledger Scholarship is really important to me, especially because I also write and just co-created

The Housemate. Something I am superpassionate about is creating diverse stories and creating opportunities for actors who aren’t typically what Australians have looked like in the past on TV.”