Mara was raised under the 1905 Act whereby her parents’ lives were dictated by horrendous government policies. She was fortunate to not be a member of the Stolen Generation and spent her early years growing up on a sheep station outside of Carnavon. Mara began her education at a small mission school, where she walked four kilometres with her sister each day to receive an education. It was during this period she made up her mind to make a difference on behalf of Indigenous people. 

An Indigenous leader in education, Mara has made significant strides in transforming educational landscapes and advocating for the rights and recognition of Indigenous communities. She has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into mainstream education systems. 

Mara’s early experiences shaped her understanding of the critical need for culturally relevant education. Her academic journey was marked by a deep commitment to bridging the gap between traditional Indigenous wisdom and contemporary educational practices. Dr West worked closely with communities across the State setting up satellite training centres to ensure Aboriginal people have access to a wide range of education and training in their own communities/towns ensuring they remained on country near family.  She was also a member of the WA Aboriginal Education Consultative Group which provided advice and guidance to all education and training providers across the State. 

Her association with education and training has and always will be high on her agenda for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Over the years she has assisted numerous people in their education and training journeys. She has been instrumental in changing their mindsets and has empowered them to have the courage to step outside of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams. 

When asked a couple of years ago about what advice would she give to young people starting a career she said "seek advice from the Elders who are wise and have lived through hardships and then surround yourselves with good sensible people and people who are considered experts in their field. Do not let yourselves be dominated by people who think they know what's best for you, however take on board all advice and then make an informed decision".

This relationship is strong today and is demonstrated in her association with North Metro TAFE (NMT) through her chairing the Aboriginal Education and Training Committee, her membership on NMT Governing Council and now her Ministerial appointment as Chair of Governing Council. An appointment that makes her the only Aboriginal Chair of a TAFE Governing Council in Australia. 

Encouraged by her parents to pursue higher education, Dr West chose Murdoch University in 1981, viewing it as a place that was inclusive of not only the diversity of people, but also the diversity of thought and practice.

She became the fourth Aboriginal person to graduate in 1984 from Murdoch University, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in Comparative Literature and Communication Studies, followed by Honours in Sustainable Development in 2008. This was quickly followed by a term on the Senate which she enjoyed and found interesting.

She was also pivotal in setting up the first Murdoch University Aboriginal Advisory Committee, which reported directly to the Vice Chancellor, alongside Murdoch’s first Aboriginal graduate Isabelle Adams. Together they also created the Aboriginal Employment Strategy, and the Aboriginal Education Unit, now known as the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre. 

Her service to the university has been continuous since she was a student in the 80s. Her studies at Murdoch has assisted her in her growth both as a person and in her intellect and world view.

Her Murdoch family has walked beside her and she has worked with them through her involvement in conferences, workshops and projects such as the Remote Area Developments Group and the Homelands Water and Energy Group.

She has strengthened the link between the Aboriginal community and the Murdoch community and has changed the mindsets of everyone as it has shown how academia can also meet the needs of the community. She promotes the University wherever she operates in the Aboriginal community and especially through her involvement with projects, conferences and workshops. Her awarding of the University medal is testament to her commitment and involvement in university life. 

Dr West has never relinquished her ties with the University as she supported Murdoch’s Remote Area Developments Group to deliver water and wastewater systems to remote WA communities, improving their environmental health and living conditions. Mara travelled to these communities, delivering training to local people and providing support to develop these vital systems.  Since 2021 she became the chair of  the Homelands Water and Energy Group (HWEG) which was formed from the  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-design Workshop on Water and Sanitation which was held on 21-24 June 2021. The HWEG now operates out of the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change in the Coolamon Centre and has been renamed the Healthy Homelands Hub.  

In addition Mara West has held several prominent public positions. She is presently the Chair of the HEAL (Healthy Environment and Lives) WA Aboriginal Steering Group. Working with this group enables Dr West to follow another passion and that is climate change which is impacting communities on a daily basis. She is passionate about using Aboriginal scientific knowledges and non-Aboriginal scientific knowledges to come together to find solutions to address environmental issues such as water and food security. She is also committed to getting information to communities about statistics and letting communities know how stats can benefit them. Her role as  a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Roundtable for the Australian Bureau of Statistics is not taken lightly and she works with a National team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who advises and guides the ABS about communities and their needs.  

She has been instrumental in shaping policies that promote inclusive and equitable education for Indigenous students across the country. Her leadership has been pivotal in changing the mindsets of educators, consultants, government and non-government workers and something she is very proud of and that is changing the mindset of mining camp site managers to allow her to run hospitality training on site. She says this gave participants the opportunity to experience first hand the long shifts, working as part of a team and working and living in isolated remote locations. 

Mara is also a passionate advocate for Indigenous women's rights and empowerment. She and her colleague, Isabelle Adams ran state-wide Indigenous Women in Leadership training in communities so that the women could apply the principles to their everyday operations in communities. This empowered the women in Roebourne to do a night march against domestic violence. Many of these women continue to play leadership roles in their community. 

Within the Kulunga Aboriginal Unit at Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), Mara assists researchers navigate the Aboriginal health arena, providing cultural governance and acting as cultural lead on numerous research projects. She Chairs the Institute’s Aboriginal Research Projects Forum where she leads a panel of experts who provide advice, guidance and support to researchers. She consistently ensures research responds to community needs, respects the knowledge and authority of community elders, and meets TKI’s rigorous Guidelines for the Standards for the Conduct of Aboriginal Health Research, which she was instrumental in developing.  

Mara has devoted her five-decade career to changing perceptions of Aboriginal people and closing the gap in health and social issues. As a leader in the community, she is regularly involved in advisory groups, committees and conferences to ensure there’s always an Aboriginal voice at the table. Warm, genuine, patient and determined, she uses her knowledge as an Aboriginal woman and her extensive expertise in education, sustainable development, and health research to bring all walks of life together to build better outcomes for Aboriginal people.  

In September 2023, Murdoch University awarded its highest honour, the degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa), to Mara West in recognition of her significant contribution to the welfare and development of Aboriginal peoples in Western Australia. 

In May 2024, Dr West was recognised for her work in education and training, health and health research and Aboriginal Affairs generally. She was a finalist in the Western Australian of the Year Awards. 

Dr West’s vision is for everyone to walk together to make a better Australia for everyone especially for our children and those coming after us.