Carol Martin (politician) facts for kids

Carol Anne Martin OAM (born 13 October 1957) is a former Australian politician. She was a member of the Labor Party. Carol served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 2001 to 2013. She represented the Kimberley area. Carol Martin made history as the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to any Australian parliament.

Carol's Early Life and Career

Carol Anne Pilkington was born in Subiaco, Perth, Western Australia. She grew up in different towns like Perth, Carnarvon, and Mukinbudin. Her mother, Rose Pilkington, was from the Yamatji people. Her father, Bernard, was from the Noongar people. Carol had six brothers and sisters. Her father taught her many skills, including car maintenance and traditional painting. He also taught her singing and hunting.

When she was 12, Carol was taken into state care. She lived in several foster homes. This was a difficult and lonely time for her. However, it also helped her develop strong skills to deal with challenges. At 15, she decided to move to Broome to be with her mother after her parents divorced. The local community helped protect her. Even without finishing formal school, she completed a Business Management course.

In 1982, Carol moved to Derby. There, she worked as a social worker and counsellor. In 1984, she married Brian Martin. Carol helped Aboriginal children who were lost in the system find their families. She also supported Aboriginal families dealing with the impacts of the Stolen Generations. She once said, "Sometimes I could help, other times my heart went out to them."

In 1992, Carol received a scholarship to study Social Work at Curtin University. Her husband and two young children moved to Perth to support her. Carol was the first person in her family to graduate from university.

Carol's Time in Politics

Before becoming a state politician, Carol Martin was a member of the Derby-West Kimberley Shire Council. She also joined several important groups. These included the National Association for Loss and Grief in Western Australia. Her husband, Brian, was involved in the Labor Party.

In 2001, the local politician for Kimberley retired. Carol Martin was chosen by the Labor Party to run for the seat. She won the election easily. This made her the first Aboriginal woman ever elected to an Australian parliament. Carol also helped create the Partnership for Equity Network. This group aims to encourage more Indigenous women to get involved in public life.

After serving three terms, Carol decided to retire from politics in 2013. She wanted to spend more time in the Kimberley region and with her family. Another Gitja woman, Josie Farrer, took her place in the Kimberley seat.

In 2016, Carol Martin was chosen as the Labor Party's candidate for a federal election seat. This seat was called Durack, which covers the northern part of Western Australia.

Carol's Personal Life and Awards

Carol Martin is also a talented painter and artist. She started painting when she returned to Derby in the 1990s. Her artwork has been shown at Curtin University. Some of her paintings are still at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Even a former Governor-General of Australia, William Deane, owned some of her art.

Carol has helped create the Australian Indigenous Art and Culture Development Fund. This fund works to ensure traditional Aboriginal artists receive fair payments for their work. She has also strongly supported the Indigenous Stock Exchange (ISX). This organization was started in 2003.

In her free time, Carol enjoys fishing, camping, and reading. She also loves spending time with her large extended family. She has two children and several grandchildren.

In January 2023, Carol Martin received a special award. She was given the Medal of the Order of Australia in the King's Birthday Honours. This award was for her "service to the Parliament of Western Australia, and to the Indigenous community."