The Australia Council for the Arts congratulates Mark Bin Bakar on being named West Australian of the year.
Mark is a member of the Australia Council’s national Indigenous arts reference group (NIARG), and has an arts career spanning 30 years.
A musician, a performer and radio announcer based Broome, in the Kimberley, Mark is best known for his television character Mary Geddarrdyu, or Mary G who hosted a variety show broadcast nationally on SBS Television. Mark has been actively involved in seeking justice for members of the Stolen Generations, through chairing the Kimberley Stolen Generations Corporation. He has also produced two albums of songs about the Stolen Generations.
Mark has also prioritised supporting new and emerging artists, creating Ab music in Perth.
On receiving the award Mark said;
“I am proud to be Australian, I am proud to be West Australian. I also accept this great acknowledgement, of WA Finalist, for Australian of the year. I hope that I can be and I fully intend to be a great ambassador for our state. I intend to continue do the good work that I had been doing and continue making a difference.”
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