Brenton E McKenna, locally known by his middle name, “Eszra”, is a respected Yawuru artist based out of Broome, WA, who found a passion for comic books in his youth, a passion which ultimately led him to become one of the world’s most coveted First Nations graphic novelists.
Sally Murphy, OAM, is a beach-walking, animal-loving life-loving author of verse novels, poetry and historical fiction. She loves reading and writing, and talking about reading and writing and, when she isn’t doing those things, can be found living in the southwest with her dog and cat, spending time with her large family, or working at Curtin University.
Shane McCarthy is a freelance writer who has been writing comics for over 20 years (during which he was also an international dance instructor, choreographer and performer). His work, including Detective Comics (starring Batman), Batman Legends of the Dark Knight, Star Wars, Deadpool Team Up and Transformers: All Hail Megatron, has been published internationally by DC Comics, Marvel Comics and more.
Zeno Sworder is an award-winning writer and illustrator. He was born into a mixed (Chinese and English) multicultural family in Australia and has worked as a window washer, a journalist, an English language teacher, a volunteer for Lifeline, a consular officer and a tribunal advocate for migrants and refugees. But he has always felt most himself sitting at a table drawing pictures and making up stories.
Sophia is a proud Ngarla woman and an incredible portrait painter, recently winning the State’s top portraiture prize for her work. She was born in Hedland in 1985, her ancestors are Makanykarra, and her family is from the De Grey area 80km north-east of Hedland. Sophia took up painting at Spinifex Hill Studio in 2020.
What would we do without superhero Captain Hedland, who defends the town from the evil of Crave, The Fisherman and The Bush Mechanic? The Captain Hedland comic book series is the creation of Banjiyima artist Layne, who was born in Hedland and is a Studio Assistant at Spinifex Hill Studio as well as one of its youngest artists.
Kelly is an active and passionate environmental scientist who founded and chairs the Cre for Port Hedland Environmental Association. Without her work it is commonly thought that there would be no flatback turtles still nesting in Port Hedland today.
Amelia Blanco is a multidisciplinary artist, photographer and content creator. She looks to understand the heart of every story rather than watching from the sidelines. Amelia aims to capture stories with authenticity and an eye for detail.
Zach Green, aka The Storyteller Chef, is a proud Gunditjmara and Palawa chef and entrepreneur. As co-founder of Iluka’s Hospitality – the innovative Indigenous-owned brand behind Little Starfish Café, West End Seafood Shack and the all-new Iluka’s Kitchen – Zach is passionate about combining traditional and contemporary ingredients to celebrate and share the stories of the land and its people.
Verity is an artist living in and working on Kariyarra country in Port Hedland. She has been creating art from a young age, making countless scrapbooks brimming with drawings and watercolours. Verity is currently exploring portraiture in her practice and enjoys abstracting physical features with colour and values to create a distinctive likeness of the subject.
Ivy works as a Library Officer for the Town of Port Hedland, where she actively promotes early literacy in the community. With a Chinese cultural background, she is also passionate about celebrating and raising awareness of cultural diversity.
A proud Kariyarra, Nyul Nyul, Ngarluma, and Yawuru woman, Bobbi is a multi-talented dynamo. She's an award-winning artist, fashion designer and photographer whose work has been featured in Vogue magazine and the Paris Fashion Week runway. In her creative projects and as co-owner of Iluka’s Hospitality, Bobbi’s work infuses colour, creativity and advocacy rooted in her deep love for her community and Country.
Born in the Philippines, Letcha moved to Hedland in 2009.nBetween working and raising her five children, Letcha is often the first to put her hand up to help with community events. She’s been part of Clean Up Australia Day, the SAFE Hedland Car Wash Day, Town Ambassador, and the Spot Adopt Clean, which sees the Care for Hedland group clean up different spaces throughout the Town of Port Hedland.
Rogelio Solo has a background in mechanical engineering who also has passion for arts in photography, drawing, music and exploring videography. He is also a content creator building his pages in his free time one of them is Fun Learning and Discovery in social media, loves gardening, teaches his kids with their academics and cooking delicious food for his family of 5 kids.
Jazz is a proud resident of Hedland of Maori descent (Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahununu tribe). Deeply connected to her cultural roots through the teachings of her rangatira (Elders) and the stories passed down through generations. Jazz shares these stories to preserve cultural heritage and pass on the wisdom and knowledge of her ancestors.
