Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning multidisciplinary creator and consultant. In 2020, Kirli was named the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.

Kirli’s books, The Incredible Freedom Machines (2018, Scholastic), Kindred (2019, Magabala) and Bindi (2020, Magabala) have been celebrated by the Prime Minister’s, WA and Victorian Premier’s Literary, Kate Challis RAKA, ABIA, ABDA and CBCA awards. Her work is published in anthologies and public art. She has 8 forthcoming titles.

Kirli’s art has been exhibited in Shoalhaven and Wollongong Galleries and commissioned for public art across a range of sectors. With the support of Australia Council for the Arts, Kirli will hold her first solo poetic arts exhibition Returning in 2021. As a playwright, she is co-creating Dead Horse Gap with Merrigong Theatre and South East Arts. Her first Solo play, Going Home has been commissioned by Playwriting Australia, and will take the stage in 2022. Kirli is a board member for Merrigong Theatre, and an esteemed Judge for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.