'Gary Cooper was born in Kalgoorlie and raised in the Goldfields, is a member of the Wongutha people and speaks the Wongutha language. Kalgoorlie is home to Gary’s great grandmother and her people. Gary was the first Aboriginal to graduate in Theatre at the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and has had a successful career as a film, television and theatre actor in Australia and overseas. Gary is also an award winning film maker in directing.
'Gary has previously worked as the Multi Media Coordinator for the Bega Garnbirringu Health Service, the First Nations Creative Producer for the Regional Arts Australia Summit “Arts & Edges” and the Creative Producer for Tjuma Pulka.'
Source: 'Gary Cooper: My Story', The West Australian Indigenous Storybook: The Goldfields Edition. Fremantle: Public Health Advocacy Institute WA, 2019, p.22.