Djambatj Dhukarr: Road to Excellence

The Faculty of Education and the Indigenous Studies Unit (Onemda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing) at The University of Melbourne invite you to join us for a presentation celebrating Indigenous bilingual education in Northeast Arnhem Land.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the brilliance of Yolŋu talent and support their journey to excellence.

Presenters: Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu, Djawundil Maymuru, Mundatjngu Munuŋgurr, Shenay Thorne, Mulmulpa Munuŋgurr, Paula Gumana, Rebecca Arbon

Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu, a distinguished Yolŋu elder, and esteemed retired linguistic teacher at the Yirrkala Bilingual School in Northeast Arnhem Land, was appointed as the world’s second Yolŋu professor by the University of Melbourne in April 2023. Yalmay spent over four decades as a bilingual educator, during which time she cultivated a profound appreciation for the Yolŋu language, culture, and heritage among her students.

Throughout her career, Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu established herself as a champion of bilingual education, earning the moniker "bilingual warrior." She steadfastly opposed government policies aimed at dismantling the hard-earned achievements of herself and her colleagues. When confronted with the challenge of teaching in English-only settings, Yalmay and her dedicated team stood their ground, preserving their unique Garma curriculum, teaching Yolŋu knowledge in the school.

Yalmay will be co-presenting with Yirrkala School Yolŋu team teachers Djawundil Maymuru, Mundatjngu Munuŋgurr, Shenay Thorne, Mulmulpa Munuŋgurr, Paula Gumana and Gamburruwuy Wunungmurra. Together, they will discuss their Djambantj Dhukarr (Road to Excellence), including their experiences and insights into the importance of bi-lingual education in Northeast Arnhem Land and the role they play in imparting Yolŋu knowledge via Yolŋu Matha to the children.

Yalmay and the Yolŋu team teachers will be in Melbourne for the Teacher Exchange Project, a partnership project between the Faculty of Education and the Indigenous Studies Unit (Onemda) at The University of Melbourne and the Yirrkala School in Northeast Arnhem Land.

For any enquiries, please email:

bemurphy@unimelb.edu.au or kristens@unimelb.edu.au

To register please go here