Emma Hoskins has been a busy young woman — so busy, in fact, that by the time she turns 16 in September, she will already have made a remarkable contribution to her community and culture.

That contribution has now been recognised with Emma being nominated for the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards in the “One to Watch” category.

With her long list of achievements and commitments, some might joke she’ll be ready for retirement by the age of 21.

When Emma first started at The Hills Sports High School at age 12, her interests were firmly in science.

“I like science — physics, geology and astronomy,” she said at the time.

These days, however, her passions have broadened considerably.

“My interests have changed. I’m also interested in English and history, local community and a lot of culture,” Emma said.

“It’s a big part of my identity. I am very privileged. There were 30 students with an Aboriginal background in primary school. There are 92 at The Hills Sports High.”

Another major change has been her move from a sports scholarship to an arts scholarship. Emma has stepped away from the running and walking events that once saw her win medals at national age championships as a member of Quakers Hill Little Athletics.

Instead, she has embraced dance.

“I’ve been accepted into the school’s acro dance class,” she said.

At the time of interview, Emma was also anxiously awaiting news on whether she had been accepted into a prestigious program run by the renowned Bangarra Dance Company.

Emma has already performed in Combined Schools Spectacular and Pulse Alive productions, building an impressive performance resume at a young age.

Her journey, however, has not always been easy.

Emma revealed she experienced verbal bullying in Year 8.

“Because I’m smart, wear glasses to read, and partly because of my Aboriginality,” she said candidly.

Despite the challenges, Emma has shown resilience and maturity beyond her years.

“I’ve put it behind me and the school was very supportive, for which I’m very grateful,” she said.

Her academic ability has also been recognised externally, with Emma topping exams in five subjects. Fittingly, she has now been selected as one of the school’s 2026 Values Ambassadors — with courage being one of the key values she represents.

Emma’s commitment to culture and community continues to grow through her work with the Ted Noffs Foundation.

“I’ll be running an Aboriginal contemporary dance program at the foundation’s Street Uni in Penrith over the next 10 weeks,” she said.

“My first session with them was last week and this will lead into us dancing at the NAIDOC celebration in July.

“Earlier that same morning I have been given the opportunity to share culture, my words and dance at another event in Blacktown.

“This was all made possible through Melissa of Aboriginal Communities recommending me.”

Emma was also preparing to perform Aboriginal contemporary dance at the Mt Druitt Reconciliation Gathering and Walk prior to publication.

While mum Jody Hoskins sometimes worries Emma’s busy schedule may mean she misses out on a typical teenage social life, Emma says she still finds balance through her many activities and hobbies.

She enjoys playing piano at home, reading and has even started writing her first novel.

Emma has also benefited from support through scholarships from the Harding Miller Education Foundation, GO Foundation and the Butucarbin Aboriginal Corporation’s Nakkiah Lui Performing and Creative Arts scholarship program, for which she expressed deep gratitude.

The 2026 Women of the Year Awards citation describes Emma as a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay woman whose life is “a vibrant expression of culture, creativity and community”.

“She is a multi-talented youth leader and is a musician, contemporary dancer, MC, motivational speaker and mentor. Emma also prides herself in giving back as a charity volunteer.”

Emma’s passion for culture and community is deeply rooted in family.

Her mother Jody runs Indigenous Pathways and Deadly Education, creating Aboriginal cultural programs for local schools. Emma’s grandfather was part of the Stolen Generations and spent years searching for family members due to the lack of birth records available to many Aboriginal people at the time.

Before dedicating herself so heavily to Aboriginal advocacy and performance, Emma began learning music at just four years old. By age 12, she was already performing Mozart pieces at high school concerts. She also plays saxophone and has performed the Last Post on Anzac Day.

Dance quickly became another major passion. Emma joined physical culture classes at four before moving into ballet at age five, eventually immersing herself in Aboriginal dance. At just 10 years old, she was selected to appear in a video alongside acclaimed Bangarra dancer and choreographer Chantal Kerr.

Her achievements continued to mount from there.

Emma won a NAIDOC Young Achiever Award at age 10 and later raised money for Aboriginal communities through the Fred Hollows Foundation.

One of her biggest honours came when she was named Blacktown City’s Young Citizen of the Year at a ceremony attended by former Mayor Tony Bleasdale and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.

The award citation praised Emma for sharing her culture through school ceremonies, acknowledgements of country, dance, bush-tucker gardens and award-winning Aboriginal artwork. It also highlighted her involvement in the Blacktown Youth Advisory Committee and her role as a cultural ambassador within the community.

Dozens more awards and recognitions have followed.

As for the idea of Emma slowing down anytime soon? Those who know her best suspect that is highly unlikely.

PHOTOS: (L) Emma ready for dance. (R) with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of New South Wales.

MAIN PHOTO: Emma at NSW Women of the Year Awards 2026 Governor’s Reception.