Mark Bin Bakar, Indigenous Community Worker
Mark Bin Bakar, better known as Mary G, has dedicated much of his adult life to promoting Indigenous life and culture. A West Australian native, Mr Bin Bakar established Abmusic, a successful music school to help Indigenous musicians.
He travels extensively to remote areas talking to people about alcohol and drug abuse, health care, emotional wellbeing, respect for elders and domestic violence. Bin Bakar’s flamboyant, wisecracking Aboriginal matriarchal alter ego Mary G has had her own massively popular television series, radio shows and live performances which have allowed her to take a political and social message to mainstream Australia, way beyond the Aboriginal communities where she was a cult figure. Mr Bin Bakar has a nationally broadcast radio show where he also promotes Indigenous culture.
Bio adapted from “Australian of the Year Nominees" 25 January 2008 http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=371656 with additional information from the Human Services News 2003 http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/humanservicesnews/may03/maryg.htm and the Mary G website www.maryg.net