Yamatji elder Mara West has significantly contributed to the welfare and development of Aboriginal peoples in Western Australia. Dr West was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Murdoch University in 2023. She is an integral member of the Kulungu Aboriginal Research Development Unit at Telethon Kids Institute, providing culturally safe practices that respect the knowledge and authority of community elders in research activities. She is also chair of the HEAL (Healthy Environment and Lives) Network WA Aboriginal Reference Group, which actively uses Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and wisdom to help protect Australians from the health impacts of climate change.