We’re very happy to see that a writer, WA’s Kim Scott — author of the novels Benang and That Deadman Dance — has taken out the inaugural West Australian of the Year award in 2012.

His work has been praised for its ability to reach out beyond the page and, in relation to this State award, for “the discussion his writing has stimulated on Noongar culture in the wider community and his exceptional work in language recovery projects, with his writing and research helping return oral histories and archival language material to their home communities.”

Well done, Kim.