Stand Proud

About the Author

Nicho Hynes (Author) Nicho Hynes is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who has won multiple awards. He is a proud Wiradjuri man and takes great pride in representing his Indigenous heritage at all times. Marlee Silva (Author) Marlee Silva is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Gamilaroi and Dunghutti tribes of New South Wales. A passionate presenter and the bestselling author of My Tidda, My Sister- Stories of strength and resilience from Australia's first women, Marlee's career has been inspired by her innate belief that powerful storytelling can change hearts and minds for the better. She also co-hosts the 'When We Grow Up' podcast with NRL star Nicho Hynes, and in her newest role, Marlee is on the sidelines as a reporter with the Nine Network's Wide World of Sports, broadcasting the latest crop of inspiring athletes. Blak Douglas (Illustrator) Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill in Blacktown, Western Sydney, to a Dhungutti-German Aboriginal father and Anglo-Irish-Scottish-Australian mother. Trained in illustration and photography, with a B.A. in Graphic Design from the University of Western Sydney, Blak Douglas became a self-taught painter with a career now spanning 25 years. He has exhibited both nationally and abroad, winning the 2019 KILGOUR PRIZE, the 2021 STILL- NATIONAL STILL LIFE AWARD and the 2022 ARCHIBALD PRIZE for his work, and has illustrated several award-winning books for children, including The First Scientists, Finding Our Heart, In My Blood it Runs and Songlines.