A story of resilience, hope and how a mother's love fuelled the ascent of Australia's first Indigenous supermodel.
Samantha Harris has one of the most recognisable faces in Australia's fashion industry, but her success was anything but expected. In an industry built on European beauty ideals, her breakthrough as a finalist for the Girlfriend cover model search was a testament to dreaming big, perseverance and the determination of her mother, Myrna, a survivor of the Stolen Generations.
In this mother-daughter memoir, Samantha and Myrna each share their journeys of breaking down barriers and the redemptive power of love. For Samantha, she attended beauty pageants from the age of four and continually came second to girls with blonde hair and blue eyes, then later had to learn to connect with the camera. For Myrna, she was taken to a girls' home at the age of six with her two younger sisters, making her fiercely protective of her children and grandchildren.
Inspiring and honest, Role Model is the story of two proud Dunghutti women claiming their space and the path to greater representation, highlighting just how much can change between two generations.
About the Authors
Samantha Harris is a Dunghutti woman who was born in Tweed Heads and grew up around the New South Wales Northern Rivers region. She gained early recognition in her modelling career as the runner-up in the 2004 Girlfriend magazine cover girl competition at the age of thirteen. Samantha has graced the covers of Australia's most prestigious magazines including Vogue Australia, marie claire and Instyle, and she's walked the runways for renowned designers such as Alex Perry, Lisa Ho and Carla Zampatti. She continues to model for fashion brands in Australia and has established herself as a notable television personality, having appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under. She has also taken on ambassador roles for L'Oreal Paris, David Jones and Swisse, as well as charities including World Vision Australia and WWF. Samantha is married to long-term partner Luke Hunt, and they live with their bull terrier Anubis.
Myrna Davison is a Dunghutti woman who spent her earliest years on the Aboriginal mission at Bellbrook, near Kempsey in New South Wales. At the age of six, Myrna, along with her two younger sisters, Marie and Karen, was placed in the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children's Home, known as the birthplace of the Stolen Generations in New South Wales. When her Aunty Marie took the girls out of the home and raised them herself, Myrna finally enjoyed some happy childhood years. Myrna has four children – Michael, AJ, Samantha and Chris. As they grew up and she had more time, Myrna decided to further her education and completed a Diploma in Welfare at TAFE, for which she received a major award. Myrna lives in the Tweed Heads area and is extremely proud of her children and grandchildren.
Industry Reviews
'Samantha Harris walked so we could run. Her story is one of strength, pride and breaking through every barrier. A powerful reminder of what it means to be seen.' Brooke Blurton
'This woman is beautiful inside and out. Every young girl should read this book to know they are enough.' Miranda Tapsell
'Inspiring, powerful and deeply moving. Role Model is a story of resilience and the strength of family bonds. A must-read.' Sally Obermeder
'The first time I met Samantha, she took my breath away - so young, so striking, with a presence that couldn't be ignored. She was our first Indigenous model, and I knew we were witnessing something special. A trailblazer with the world at her feet, she represented change, possibility and pride.' Jackie Frank
'Samantha has forged a powerful path through fashion with grace and purpose.' Edwina McCann
'Samantha opened up a new lane and built a unique career that continues to inspire generations. This book offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at that journey, capturing the power of staying true to who you are.' Nathan McGuire
'At a time when Australian Fashion Week didn't really have engagement with Indigenous culture, Samantha's involvement was a catalyst for the celebration of First Nations people and art. Given the new ground she broke, Samantha was always destined to wear the role model mantle, and she wears it with decorum.' Simon Lock
'When I was a little girl, I aspired to be a model just like Samantha Harris. This book is the perfect read for the younger generation to show them that anything is possible, no matter where you come from!' Guyala Bayles
'These two beautiful, strong Dunghutti Doobays (women) remind us that legacies can be built and dreams can come true against all odds.' Sandy Greenwood
'Sam is a pioneer in the Australian fashion industry and has been a role model for so many young women and men. It is incredibly important to share inspiring stories and Sam's is an important one.' Kellie Hush, CEO, Australian Fashion Week 2025
