Bebe Oliver

Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi award-winning author, poet and illustrator.

From his early days as a classical pianist and composer, Bebe swiftly rose to prominence as a West Australian Young Person of the Year, before producing and directing theatre, dance, public art and festivals across Australia, Aotearoa and Europe.

As a leading advocate for Aboriginal advancement and self-determination, Bebe has collaborated with international entities including Aesop, Global Citizen, and World Pride to champion Blak stories and communities.

His debut poetry collection, more than these bones (Magabala Books, 2023) has been celebrated for its raw, unflinching exploration of mental health and the human condition.

A writer, facilitator and speaker living on the unceded land of the Kulin peoples, Bebe is deeply committed to the empowerment and visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators.

He is the Artistic Director and CEO of Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival, and the Deputy Chair of Magabala Books, demonstrating his drive for literary excellence and cultural representation.
Bebe’s highly celebrated and widely published work explores love, loss, identity, the intersection of Aboriginal and gay existence, and the rich tapestry of place and Country, making him a compelling and transformative voice in contemporary literature.

Bebe’s newest book, if this is the end (Magabala Books, 2024) is regarded as a fearless and honest exploration of identity, and “a queer Blak classic”.