Nandi Chinna
Award-winning Poet
won the Premier's 2022
Western Australian Writer's Fellowship
We are immensely proud to see someone closely associated with the Centre win an incredible honour. At the 2021 WA Premier's Book Awards held on 17th June at the State Library of Western Australia this year, a long-time volunteer and friend of the Centre, Nandi Chinna, won The West Australian Writer's Fellowship. Nandi's poetry has always held a message of admiration, love, care and support for the wetlands and the environment. So, we are elated to see this nod to eco-poetry, which is such a powerful medium for creating ecological awareness and connection to nature—a huge congratulations to Nandi, and to all winners and nominees. And thanks to the State Library of Western Australia and the #WAPBA2021 judges and organisers.
Marie J Taylor
Elder-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre
won the 2022 NAIDOC Week "Elder of the Year"
Yet another proud moment for the Centre. Our Elder-in-residence, Marie J Taylor, was honoured with the 'Elder of the Year' award at the 2022 NAIDOC Perth Awards presented at Crown Burswood on Saturday, 25th June 2022. This award acknowledges Auntie Marie, as we fondly know her, and recognises the outstanding contributions that she makes to improving indigenous communities and issues, and promoting Aboriginal culture and knowledge among the wider community in Perth and WA. We have come to rely on Auntie Marie's wisdom and guidance in the important environmental and educational work that we do at the Centre and around the Beeliar wetlands. This ancient and sacred Aboriginal heritage site holds such astounding cultural significance. Congratulations to her, and to all the winners and nominees. This year's NAIDOC week has been made memorable indeed!
Great to receive this newsletter. Thank you! And I’m looking forward to checking out the papers from the conference earlier this year.