I’m Carl Merrison. A Jaru and Gija author from Halls Creek in the Kimberley WA. I am also an experienced Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) and sports coach. Growing up in an isolated, remote outback town shaped my life- from my... More
Carl Merrison is an award-winning Jaru/Gija childrens, middle reader and YA author from Halls Creek in the Kimberley WA. But did you know he has worked in many different roles across his life? Let’s find out more! Hi you mob, what... More
We are so pumped that 2023 AFL season is about to start for 2023 (kick off in March!!) I (Carl) am a HUGE footy fan. I have always played since a kid kicking around on red dirt ovals, playing at... More
We have some really deadly sports talent in remote communities. National sports organisations have started to recognised the raw, untapped talent with some starting programs to support our mob into their teams. But those programs are few and far between.... More
It’s no secret that I aspire to be the first Aboriginal man from a remote community to coach elite Australian Rules Football. But when I was living out in community, I had no idea of pathways and limited access to... More
Most First Nations mob in remote communities speak more than one language but few have Standard Australian English as their first. Many Aboriginal people will grow up speaking language, Kriole or Aboriginal English at home and often only learn English... More
I’ve played footy since I can remember. Red dirt ovals, bare feet, raw footy, mates, laughs, fun. I’ve coached junior footy since I started with the Clontarf Academy- the Halls Creek Colts. Next I coached my home team, the Halls... More
So it’s no secret I love my footy. Growing up in the Kimberley was the place to build that passion, but also the place that puts many barriers in the way for you mob who want to chase a football... More
I loved this book so much I did the ‘fan girl’ thing by contacting the author on Twitter! So I’m not a teenage boy, or a farmer and have never lived in a rural farming town. This book shouldn’t really... More
Diary of an AFL Legend by Shamini Flint I have no idea how Marcus Atkinson, the main character in this book, survived until he was nine never learning any of the rules of AFL! His complete lack of any knowledge... More