Congratulations to Dr Mara West, who won the prestigious Aboriginal Award at last night’s Western Australian of the Year Awards.
Dr West, a Yamatji Elder, has dedicated her 50-plus year career to improving outcomes for Aboriginal communities. Her tireless efforts to change perceptions of Aboriginal people and close the gap in health and social issues were recognised with this coveted award.
As the Manager of Operations in our Kulunga Aboriginal Unit, Dr West provides invaluable cultural guidance and governance. She helps our researchers navigate the complexities of Aboriginal health, ensuring research projects prioritise and respond to the needs of Indigenous communities. Her leadership in mentoring, training and supporting staff has empowered countless individuals to deepen their understanding and build respectful partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Dr West deeply respects the knowledge and authority of community elders, drawing on their wisdom to ensure that all projects meet The Kids’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Standards, a framework she was instrumental in developing in 2022. She also played a key role in The Kids’ 2024 rebrand, as a member of the Aboriginal Art Working Group, ensuring that the new logo and branding reflected the organisation’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and families across Australia. The design elements in the logo and Together artwork – representing the desert, river, forest, and ocean – symbolise the Country that connects Aboriginal peoples and communities.
Additionally, Dr West was instrumental in shaping The Kids’ Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which she helped launch on the same day as the Western Australian of the Year Awards. Through extensive consultation with partners and communities, she has championed the embedding of respectful engagement and cultural understanding across the organisation, helping to create more equitable outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr West’s well-deserved win, which is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a better future for Aboriginal people.
We also extend our congratulations to Professor Nick Gottardo, who was a finalist in the Professions Award category, and to The Kids’ dedicated supporter, Professor Sue Fletcher, who won the Professions Award.
Well done to all the award winners and finalists on their outstanding achievements and contributions.
You can read more about Mara’s work and watch the awards video here.