Kerry Reed-Gilbert

Kerry Reed-Gilbert (24 October 1956 – 13 July 2019) was an Australian poet, author, collector, editor, educator, a champion of Indigenous writers and an Aboriginal rights activist. She was a Wiradjuri woman.
Early life.
Born on 24 October 1956 in central New South Wales Reed-Gilbert was orphaned at three months old when her father Kevin Gilbert murdered her mother Gomah Gilbert (née Scott). Reed-Gilbert was raised by her father's sister who Reed-Gilbert called 'Mummy', and she became the youngest of eight children.
Reed-Gilbert is survived by her two daughters, Lesa and Melanie, her grandchildren Jirrima, Yarran, Tenisha, Kaylarnie and Yullara and her great-grandchildren. Reed-Gilbert was a Wiradjuri woman and her childhood memoirs are published in "The Cherry Picker's Daughter: A childhood memoir".
Career.
Reed-Gilbert wrote poetry and prose and was actively involved in writers groups and publishing the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Maori writers. Reed-Gilbert was the inaugural Chairperson of the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN). She was also a member of the Aboriginal Studies Press Advisory Committee.
Works.
Reed-Gilbert's poetry was translated into Dutch, French, Bengali and Korean. Reed-Gilbert edited a number of anthologies of poetry and prose.
Collecting.
Reed-Gilbert collected Aboriginalia, a variety of prints, figurines, plates, ashtrays, badges, and velvet paintings of Aboriginal people or featuring Aboriginal motifs. In 2016 this collection was acquired by 
AIATSIS.
Awards.
2003: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board fellowship for poetry and writing at Omi International Arts Center in New York.
2006: ‘Outstanding Achievement in Poetry’ and ‘Poet of Merit’ Award from the International Society of Poets.
Memorial.
In 2020 the Kuracca Prize for Australian Literature was created by "Overland" literary journal in memory of Reed-Gilbert.