Awards

John received a Human Rights Award for his play Up the Road. The play addresses the contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australians. The play was praised by the judging panel as a "powerful, personal call for understanding and reconciliation". Presented by the Playbox Theatre (Mallthouse's first Indigenous play) and Company B (Belvoir), the seminal play encouraged many other Indigenous writers,directors and actors to enter the Australian theatre to share their stories.

This award for Indigenous creative artists has been made available through the generosity of Professor Emeritus Bernard Smith, eminent art and cultural historian. The prize was established to honour the memory of his late wife, Kate Challis.

John received the Inaugural theatre RAKA Award for his play Up the Road (1997, Currency Press).

In 1997–1998, John Harding was awarded the prestigious Australia Council Indigenous Fellowship, recognising his outstanding contributions to Indigenous theatre. During this period, he continued to develop and stage groundbreaking works, mentor emerging First Nations artists, and advance Indigenous storytelling across the arts. This fellowship reflects John’s enduring commitment to fostering creativity, cultural expression, and leadership within Australia’s theatre landscape.

The H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship has played a significant role in the development of the Australian arts landscape by providing artists with the time and space to focus on their creative practices. It continues to be a vital program supporting the growth and recognition of Australian artists within both national and international contexts.

John was awarded a one-year fellowship, which included a six-month residency at the Australian National University, during which he wrote a play, lectured, and led workshops with drama students on campus.