BROOKE BLURTON

BROOKE BLURTON’S FACE FLICKERS ONTO ZOOM. THERE’S AN INTERNET LAG, A MUTED MICROPHONE AND, FINALLY, CONVERSATION, ALL OF IT PREFACED WITH HER MEGA-WATT SMILE. IT’S A SMILE AUSTRALIANS WANTED TO SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT WHEN BROOKE WAS NAMED THE BACHELORETTE IN 2021, BECOMING THE FIRST INDIGENOUS AND OPENLY BISEXUAL WOMAN TO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE FRANCHISE’S HISTORY. IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THE MOST CONVENTIONAL WAY TO FIND LOVE, BUT FEW THINGS IN BROOKE’S LIFE HAVE BEEN CONVENTIONAL.

Growing up in the country town of Carnarvon on Kuwinywardu land, Brooke’s childhood was punctuated by tragedy. Losing her mum and nan at the age of 11, Brooke came to adopt the role of carer for her younger siblings. “I was riding a solo life for a very long time, I became really independent very