Scarlet Jauncey – recipient of the inaugural Dr Eve Fels First Nations Black Swan Award.

The Dr Eve Fesl First Nations Black Swans Award was presented for the first time on Saturday 30 November.

This award recognises a First Nations National Team player who throughout 2024 has demonstrated high standards of integrity and high-performance behaviours, as well as significant cultural leadership. The recipient of the inaugural Dr Eve Fels First Nations Black Swan Award went to Scarlet Jauncey.

Netballer Scarlet Jauncey never imagined there would be a First Nations national team to strive for—an opportunity to represent her country alongside Indigenous teammates and mentors. This is just one of the many reasons why Netball Australia’s recent initiative—the creation of the Black Swans—is so impactful.

A proud Yawuru woman, Jauncey was a cornerstone in defence, while her sister Jamaica excelled in the shooting circle. Elite netball is not new to Scarlet; born in Western Australia, she spent time in Queensland’s pathways program when her family relocated there for five years, before returning home. A hardworking athlete, she captained Western Australia’s state U17 and U19 teams and was selected for national squads in the same age groups. Yet, playing for the Black Swans remains the pinnacle of her career so far.

What’s the story behind the name?
The award is named after Dr Eve Fesl OAM, who was a respected Senior Elder of both the Gubbi Gubbi nation and the Gungulu nation.

A former Queensland representative netballer in the 1950s, she went on to become the first Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university in 1989.

She was an academic in sociolinguistic policy and implementation, specialising in First Nations languages. Dr Fesl also held an honours degree in anthropology as well as a graduate diploma in international law.

In 1986, she was awarded Scholar of the Year in the NAIDOC Awards and went on to receive a Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 and a Centenary Medal in 2001. In 2016, she received a United Nations Association of Australia award for her community work and achievements and was named in Victoria’s 1990 Achiever of the Year awards.

Dr Fesl passed away in August 2023.

Naming the Black Swans award after Dr Fesl reflects Netball Australia’s commitment to highlighting the significant visibility, voice and value on the important contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made and continue to make to the sport.

The Black Swans embody a range of qualities including; uniqueness and a deep connection to this ancient land, loyalty, grace, strength, selflessness, and the ability to command and reciprocate respect and inclusivity. These traits align fittingly with Dr Fesl’s legacy as an Elder, sportswoman, trailblazer, and distinguished academic.

The Confident Girls Foundation are proud to be a sponsor for this award in 2024.