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A 'baby' Lila McGuire dreamt of a Logie nomination. Yesterday it came true

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Indigenous Australian actresses Lila McGuire and Eloise Hart received Logie Award nominations for their roles in the ABC drama "Goolagong."
  • The series, which depicts the life of tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, is nominated for Best Miniseries/Telemovie.
  • McGuire and Hart are among six Indigenous performers recognized, highlighting strong First Nations representation in this year's nominations.

Two young First Nations actresses have earned Logie Award nominations, recognizing their powerful performances in the ABC's three-part drama "Goolagong." Lila McGuire, 29, and 10-year-old Eloise Hart, who portrayed tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, are among the nominees for the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent.

I dreamed about it, but it was one of those things where it's so surreal when it's actually happening.

— Lila McGuireExpressing her feelings about receiving a Logie nomination.

The drama itself has also been nominated for Best Miniseries/Telemovie, underscoring the significant impact of Indigenous storytelling. McGuire, who also received a Silver Logie nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Drama, expressed her disbelief and joy. "I dreamed about it, but it was one of those things where it's so surreal when it's actually happening," she said, reflecting on her childhood aspirations.

Some of those stories remind me of the experiences my grandmothers and so many Indigenous families have lived through.

— Eloise HartReflecting on the significance of the roles she plays.

Hart, who played the younger Evonne Goolagong Cawley, shared her pride in contributing to stories that resonate with Indigenous experiences. "Some of those stories remind me of the experiences my grandmothers and so many Indigenous families have lived through," she stated. "Others celebrate people like Evonne Goolagong, who showed generations of Aboriginal kids what was possible."

Others celebrate people like Evonne Goolagong, who showed generations of Aboriginal kids what was possible.

— Eloise HartHighlighting the inspirational aspect of the drama.

This year's Logie nominations feature a notable surge in First Nations talent across various categories. "Mystery Road: Origin," which boasts an all-Blak writing team, received five nominations, including Best Drama Program. Lead actor Mark Coles Smith is nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Drama, alongside fellow First Nations actors Hunter Page-Lochard and Rob Collins. Clarence Ryan and Thomas Weatherall are also nominated for Best Supporting Actor, further emphasizing the growing presence and recognition of Indigenous performers in Australian television.

I didn't realise quite how many of us there were. That's so wonderful. I'm trying to hold back tears.

— Lila McGuireReacting to the strong representation of Indigenous talent in the nominations.
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Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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