Mary G is the undisputed Black Queen of the Kimberley. A multi-award winning comedian who is recognized for promoting positive Indigenous lifestyles through her music and comedy, Mary G is a live performance character created by her producer, Dr Mark Bin Bakar. She was created from radio, and currently broadcasts live across Australia every Wednesday night through NIRS, PAKAM, Noongar Radio, Radio Larrakia and Indigitube. Following her radio success, Mary G grew into television which resulted in two TV series on SBSTV and more recently she hosted a ten part talk back show on NITV, Straight Shootin’.
Mary’s dream is for recognition and reconciliation for Indigenous people across Australia, and a recognition that Australia was built on multi-culturalism. She wears the colours of her home-town Broome, where the earth is fire-red and the sea is blue, representing a balance between her living energy and nature itself. Mary is a naïve, witty and lusty Aboriginal woman from the Kimberley. She has no allegiance with any one language group however she is connected to most of them.
Mary is a strong supporter of respect of youth and self esteem, while also promoting respect for Elders of all generations. Mary is an advocate for women and a strong supporter of women’s rights and the positive role they play in society. Culture and understanding of Indigenous issues is a high priority for Mary Gedarrdyu and this is the message of all of her work, in TV, Radio or live on stage.
Today, Mary G is a national Icon who hails from a background of media across radio, TV, Film, corporate videos and vignettes, along with regular live performances across Australia, from the Sydney Opera House to remote Indigenous Communities. Mary has released two albums on the Whaddayow Music Label. Her music captures her cheeky take on life in the Kimberley, and celebrates her positive outllook. She has been a major contributor to the promotion, understanding and exposure, of Indigenous culture through the medium of the arts, drawing upon her prolific national profile to share her message.
Mary G is in demand for live appearances at festivals, community events and as an advocate for a variety of issues at an array of functions. Mary’s appeal is her political and social awareness, and the human touch that allows her to sit down and create dynamic dialogue with a broad range of people, at the same time as making everyone laugh. Mary G, the Black Queen of the Kimberley, looks forward to continuing to share her comedic brilliance through her music, radio, tv, film and live performances with audiences around the world.
For more information about the maker of Mary G, please view Dr Mark Bin Bakar’s bio.
Awards & Recognition
- Winner of Small Business of the Year Award 2013;
- Finalist for WA Citizen of the Year award – 2011;
- Winner of the National Environmental Health Initiatives, Darwin Conference Centre – 2011;
- Winner of Broome Small Business Award, Indigenous Section – 2011;
- Finalist State Indigenous/Ethnic Business awards, Burswood, Perth – 2010;
- Recipient, Australia Day Ambassador Pin – 2009;
- Honorary Doctorate from Edith Cowan University – 2009;
- Winner West Australian – Australian of the Year – 2008;
- Finalist Australian of the Year, Canberra – 2008;
- Recipient of High Commendation from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for Outstanding Contribution To The Advancement Of Human Rights In Australia – 2007;
- Winner of the 2007 National NAIDOC Person of the Year – 2007;
- Award winner for Harmony day for recognition to ongoing contribution to community building – 2007;
- Deadlys award for “Excellence in Film or Theatrical Score” Mary G Show (Live) 2005;
- Bestowed the honor of being the Patron of Abmusic, Indigenous Music School, WA . Still standing. – 2004;
- Recipient of Human Rights medal by Amnesty Australia for services and work to empower Indigenous community via radio show “The Mary G Show” – 2004;
- Nominee for the “Australia Citizen of the year” award in recognition of the achievement and contribution to the people and state of Western Australia – 2002;
- Deadly award for “Excellence in Entertainment” Mary G – 2002; Winner of 3rd Tudawali Awards, Sydney Opera House for open craft award “The Mary G Show” – 2002;
- Awarded Queens Medal for the “Celebrations of the Federation of Australia” presented by John Howard – 2001;
- NAIDOC Local Person of the years award for outstanding contribution to the Broome community – 1999;
- Broome Boulevard Shopping Centre “Community Contribution Award” for “outstanding contribution to the Broome community” – 1999;
- Deadly Sounds National ATSI music awards “Broadcaster of the Year – Mary G Show – 1998;
- Instigated and initiated “Stompem Ground” Festival with first ever Indigenous live to air TV broadcast on ABCTV nationally from Broome at ground zero – 1992;
- NADOC winner of “Aboriginal Artist of the Year” award for Western Australia presented for outstanding expression of artistic endeavor – 1987;
- A founding member of Dumbartung WA Indigenous Arts Advisory Body -1987;
- The founding member and also Established and incorporated Abmusic Aboriginal Corporation 26 March 1986;
- Coordinator of Abmusic 1986;
Mary’s dream is for recognition and reconciliation for Indigenous people across Australia, and a recognition that Australia was built on multi-culturalism.