Carl Merrison is a respected Jaru/Kija man from the Halls Creek area who came WA runner up Australian of the Year - Local Hero in 2016. He has worked for over ten years alongside Aboriginal youth as a mentor and coach. Carl was the winner of the black&write! Fellowship in 2020 for his young readers' series Backyard Sports (coming in 2023). He was also shortlisted for the State Library Western Australia Writer's Fellowship for his proposal, Kimberley Kickers series.