Posted on
27 August 2026
The poetry category of the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards has been renamed to honour late Yamaji-Wilunyu elder Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith.
Born and raised in the Mid-West, where she lived and worked, Dr Papertalk Green Smith was a celebrated poet, writer, artist, social sciences researcher and community leader.
Dr Papertalk Green Smith was a member of the Wajarri, Badimaya and Wilunyu cultural groups of Yamaji Country.
Dr Papertalk Green Smith was the author of five critically acclaimed poetry and verse books, including Nganajungu Yagu (2019), which won two major national literary awards, and was widely respected in the Western Australian creative community.
Her research and advocacy as an academic and community leader was recognised across Australia, particularly in relation to disadvantages experienced by First Nations women in regional areas.
The Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith Poetry Prize will be awarded for the first time in September 2026 for the best Western Australian poetry book published in the preceding year as part of the annual Western Australian Premier's Book Awards administered by the State Library.
Dr Papertalk Green Smith's contribution to the State's writing sector will be celebrated with posthumous induction into the Western Australian Writers Hall of Fame at the same event.
Writers in the Hall of Fame are recognised for their exemplary and distinctive work, critical acclaim and significant place in Western Australian literature.
The renaming of the poetry prize and the Hall of Fame induction are undertaken with the support of Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith's family and representatives from the Western Australian poetry community.
In an interview with ABC Radio, State Library CEO and State Librarian Catherine Clark said "there was a strong push for recognition across the country following [Dr Papertalk Green Smith's] passing last year. I think it speaks to the measure of the person. It's the first time one of the prizes in the Premier's Book Awards has been named after a writer, and we really felt that was important."
Tamati Smith, Charmaine's son, spoke about the significance of the honour.
"Coming up to mum's anniversary, I'm quite happy that something like this is being considered for her. I think we're all really happy, we miss mum a lot.
"A lot of people in the community, whenever they approach me, or when they approach my brother, talk about mum and how much she's missed, and how much she always did for us around here. Even people I haven't met or spoken to before as well, come up and say the same thing. The community loves and misses her so much."
"In the academic side, she's done a lot of research that has gone into funding projects. In the family side, and at the local level, she'd always be there to help, give someone a place to stay and just generally be there."
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith was a powerful voice for First Nations people, and she was deeply committed to transformative social change.
"Her research and advocacy were recognised across Australia, and my government is proud to honour Dr Papertalk Green Smith's significant contribution to Western Australian writing."
Comments attributed to Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"A friend and collaborator of many writers and artists, Dr Papertalk Green Smith made a rich contribution to the Western Australian community, in both her creative and academic work.
"I thank Dr Papertalk Green Smith's family for their support in naming the poetry category and offer my sympathies to those who loved her and those who learned from her."
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