Born in central western NSW, Carmel is a teacher, linguist and literacy specialist who has worked at various schools and institutions, including Yakanarra Community School in the 1990s, Broome Senior High School, Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga language centre and Nyikina Mangala Community School. She is currently in a support role with Yiyili Aboriginal Community School. Carmel is an active member of the Society for Kimberley Indigenous Plants and Animals (SKIPA). She has a Bachelor of Education in Multicultural Education from Edith Cowan University, a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from CDU and Cert III in Conservation and Land Management.