In 2025, Gemma won the prestigious Leanne McInnis Memorial Scholarship Award for Speech and Drama.

Gemma has been immersed in the performing arts since age four, competing in the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod. She sang with the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts until age 12 and now receives private drama tuition from Mika Wallace and Zoe James at Loreto College.

Through Speech and Drama competitions, Gemma has found her passion, earning accolades including the Ballarat National Theatre Prize and the Leanne McInnis Scholarship in 2025. The latter holds special meaning, as a family friend shared stories about Leanne and how proud she would have been of Gemma’s achievement.

These experiences have boosted Gemma’s confidence and equipped her with skills in public speaking, impromptu acting, and teamwork—valuable tools for a young woman finding her voice. Outside school, Gemma’s love of theatre shines through her roles as Scar in BCMA’s 2022 production and Rafiki in St Patrick’s College’s The Lion King in 2024.