The Susie Cohn Memorial Creative Arts Grant

2025 - Jacarra Drew

We’re thrilled to announce the recipient of the Susie Cohn Memorial Creative Arts Grant for 2025, Jacarra Drew.

Jacarra was born in our wonderful little town of Mount Beauty. A talented dancer that has since moved to Sydney to pursue her passion and further her career at Brent Street Performing Arts studying an Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Dance and Performance. We’re extremely delighted to support her artistic journey and see where the road takes her.

It was wonderful to sit down with Jacarra and meet Ian Cohn, husband of the late Susie Cohn. Ian shared stories of Susie’s love for art. As a young child, Susie had hope to be a classic dancer but grew too tall. Ian also spoke of her legacy that lives on through this grant, which aims to support local talent and foster creativity in the region.

Susie was instrumental in establishing Kiewa Mitta Murray Community Enterprises Ltd. (trading as Community Bank Mount Beauty & District) and her tireless efforts helped raise the necessary funds to get the bank off the ground. Susie fully embraced the community bank concept and joined the Steering Committee formed to establish the Community Bank. Along with other members of the then steering committee, she spent many hours campaigning in the Mount Beauty CBD and at Tawonga to achieve the required level of pledges so the community bank could be set up.

In recognition of Susie's contributions, the KMMCEL Board of Directors (Community Bank Mount Beauty & District) established the Susie Cohn Memorial Creative Arts Grant. This grant is a fitting tribute to Susie's passion and commitment to the community. Since its inception, the Community Bank Mount Beauty & District has dispersed over $3 million in sponsorships to local community projects.

We’re proud to continue Susie’s legacy by supporting local artists like Jacarra. Congratulations again, Jacarra, and we can’t wait to see your future achievements and success.