Aspiring author vies for award

Ambitious young sales-andmarketing worker Kamisah Bin Demin is an inspiration.

The 23-year-old Cable Beach resident’s love for literature and her community has helped her become one of two finalists for this year’s FutureNow Indigenous Young Achiever’s Award.

The award recognises achievements in the tourism and hospitality industries by young Aboriginal people in WA.

Ms Bin Demin flew to Perth last week to embark on an eight-day tour of WA’s South West, which included visits to Kojonup, Yallingup, Mandurah and Perth sites of significance.

The winner of the award, who will receive a $2500 scholarship for education and professional development, will be announced at a gala dinner at Burswood Entertainment Complex tonight.

Ms Bin Demin works at independent indigenous publishing house Magabala Books and said she aspired to writing a book and, if she won, would use the scholarship to attend workshops.

She said she was excited and surprised to have progressed to the final two.

“I am very interested in the preservation of indigenous culture through telling stories,” Ms Bin Demin said.

“The award is important, as I see tourism being the future of Broome, rather than mining.

“I am proud of my town and I’m sick of people saying there are no opportunities here because there are – they’re just not looking.”