Dot West facts for kids

Dot West is an amazing Indigenous Australian woman who writes stories for TV and movies! She is known as a talented screenwriter, which means she creates the scripts that actors use to bring characters and plots to life. Dot West is a proud Noongar woman from Western Australia's south west.

Dot West's Education Journey

Dot West worked hard to learn about media. In 1998, she earned a special degree called a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies. This degree helped her understand how TV, movies, and other media work.

What Does Dot West Do?

Dot West has a very busy and important career! She is a freelance scriptwriter, which means she writes scripts for different projects and companies. She also works as a trainer and a consultant, sharing her knowledge with others.

Helping the Screen Industry

Dot West helps guide the screen industry in Western Australia. She is part of Screenwest's Industry Advisory Group. This group gives advice on how to make movies and TV shows better. She also helps with the WA Screen Industry Diversity and Inclusion leadership group. This group works to make sure everyone, no matter their background, has a chance to work in film and TV.

Leading Important Organizations

Dot West has been a leader in many important groups. She was the first Vice Chairperson of NITV, which is a TV channel for Indigenous Australians. She has also been on the boards of:

• Screenwest (which supports film and TV in Western Australia)
• The Australian International Documentary Conference (a big event for documentary filmmakers)
• The National Indigenous Radio Service (which helps Indigenous radio stations)

Today, Dot West is a Director at SBS, which is a TV and radio network in Australia. She is also a Director at Goolarri Media Enterprises and Ramu Productions in Broome. These companies help create media for Indigenous communities. She is also the Chairperson of First Nations Media Australia, an organization that supports Indigenous media.

Sharing Her Voice

In 1993, Dot West gave a special series of talks called the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Boyer Lectures. Her talks were called "Voices of the Land." This was a big honor, as only important Australians are asked to give these lectures.

Dot West's Achievements

Dot West has received many awards for her amazing work. These awards show how much she has contributed to the screen industry and to Indigenous media:

• 2005 Tudawali Award
• 2008 WASA for "Outstanding Contribution to the WA Screen Industry"
• 2014 Honorary Doctorate from Swinburne University of Technology
• 2009 AWGIE Award for her work on the TV series The Circuit
• 2019 First Nations Media Lifetime Achievement Award