Writing Boorloo: Noongar Boodja Perspectives with Brooke Collard

Writing Boorloo: Noongar Boodja Perspectives, an online workshop, involves a Noongar led perspective, placing connection to country beyond the cement horizons at the forefront. While we may be loomed over by skyscrapers, country is still underneath and its story is waiting to be told. How does history, cultural ties and connection to country influence your writing of Boorloo? We'll invite First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples' perspectives on how they write about our kwopertok home, Boorloo.

About the Presenter

Brooke Collard is a Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar woman, and proud mother of a toddler. As a film and video game producer and writer, Brooke is creating opportunities for authentic representation for those who have been marginalised in media, such as stories of First Nations people and LGBTQIA+. 

Brooke and their partner Gary Hamaguchi won the AACTA Regional Pitch for 2023 with their project ‘Reclamation’, a Noongar Horror. In 2023 Brooke collaborated with Common Ground for their educational series ‘First Nations Bedtime Stories’, and she produced short film ‘Marlu Man’ which is in development as a feature film. In 2022 she was shortlisted for web series Digital Originals with ‘Red Dress Woman’. Brooke also has a successful podcast series with SBS Radio, ‘Noongar Wellbeing’ which has over 16,000 plays. Brooke wrote and produced web series ‘Yokai’, and award-winning short film ‘Aboriginal Warrior’.

Brooke is also a part of the Goolarri Writers Group, the only group of its kind in the country which supports First Nations writers in developing their ideas. She has also worked on projects such as TV series ‘The Great’, movie ‘Sweet As’ and many others. With a primary focus on facilitating stories that encourage others and help on the journey of healing. Brooke is a firm believer in “No Stories About Us, Without Us.”