Inspirational award-winning children's author, poet, playwright and artist Kirli Saunders has achieved much.
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But when the Port Kembla woman was named NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, her attention on Thursday turned to 'celebrating all the beautiful women who have come before her'.
"I feel really honoured to have been able to work with so many of our elders and custodians, particularly around Dharawal country," Ms Saunders said.
"It is a real privilege to try and honour my dreaming and to help kids, young people to be able to do the same thing through learning First Nations languages through poetry and first languages."
Ms Saunders is a proud Gunai woman, born on Gundungurra Country with ties to the Yuin, Biripi and Gadigal people.
She founded and manages Poetry in First Languages at Red Room Poetry.
Ms Saunders is a passionate advocate for the celebration, sharing and preservation of First Nations language, culture and country through the arts.
Her Poetry in First Languages project, delivered with Red Room Poetry, connects schools with Elders, language custodians and poets, who support both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal kids to create poetry in First Nations languages.
Ms Saunders recently released her her first children's picture book, The Incredible Freedom Machines,
She has also published a collection of her poems called Kindred.
"This collection was written over six years of my life and explores reconnection to culture and kinship and country," Ms Saunders said.
"I'm so happy and want to thank our local community.
"it feels really special to celebrate this with the project around the Dharawal community and work we've done with Aunty Jodie Edwards and with the council."
Now in its ninth year, the NSW Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry, communities and society
Renowned scientist Maria Kavallaris received the top honour during Thursday's event, named NSW Woman of the Year.
Another six women from across NSW were honoured in categories including community hero, lifetime achievement and businesswoman of the year,.during Thursday's function.