Geraldton poet, artist and academic Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green inducted into WA Women’s Hall of Fame

Highly accomplished Mid West poet, artist, activist and academic Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green has been recognised for her contributions and achievements with an induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame.

Announced on International Women’s Day on Wednesday, the Wajarri, Badimaya and Wilunyu woman was added to the hall of fame’s arts category, recognising her prolific work as which spans mediums including poetry, video and photography.

Dr Green has written five books, received several awards including the prestigious Australian Literary Society Gold Medal, and her work is studied in schools across Australia.

She joined 19 other women who were recognised at a special ceremony in Government House on March 7.

Dr Green, who was born in Eradu, raised in Mullewa, and now lives in Geraldton, said she wanted to honour regional women with her induction.

“As a regional and rural Yamaji woman, I am honoured to be a 2023 inductee,” Dr Green said.

“In regional Western Australia women and girls have many challenges to navigate everyday of their lives.

“We face these tensions and challenges as best we can, while living regionally.”

Dr Green is also chair of the Yamaji Art Centre, which she has been involved with for 22 years, and strongly believes in the potential for art to uplift her community.

“My personal and career aspirations have been for transformative social change for my people, and one of the most powerful tools I have to use is my voice through poetry, writing and the arts,” she said.

“I remain committed to holding up and lifting up First Nations women the way my ancestors did for me.”

Outside of poetry, Dr Green is also a research fellow with the WA Centre for Rural Health, and recently completed a PhD with an analysis of how the Yamaji language group was shared throughout the Greater Geraldton region.