Galiwin’ku
Name of School
Shepherdson College
Name of Ranger Group
Marthakal Gumurr Rangers
What languages do you mainly speak in your community?
Mainly Djambarrpuyngu, but all the Yolngu languages are spoken here.
How many people live in your community?
3000
When did the Learning on Country Program start in your community?
2013
What does the Learning on Country Program mean to your community?
Learning on Country is important to our community as it lets us look in two ways, past and future, helping to maintain our values, our knowledge and the land itself for generations to come. It is two ways.
What type of LoC activities happen at your community?
Wangapuy, bungal djama, manikay djama, dhawu lakaram, minyt’jipuy – art activities
Two ways learning – science activities, traditional and modern technology and land management.
Tell us about the Rangers supporting the LoC Program. What lessons are they teaching the students about your country?
Rangers talk with students about looking after the land, crocodile safety, looking after our important animals like turtles, cleaning up beaches and stopping plastic getting into the water. They show how to use technology to record information about country and checking for plants and animals that don’t belong here.
What future training or work opportunities are available in your community for LoC students?
Students get training in Conservation and Land Management to get skills that can help them get work with our partners Marthakal Gumurr Rangers and Yalu Marnggithinyaraw.
What other LoC Partnerships are happening in your community?
As well as Rangers and Yalu, Learning on Country regularly works with Galiwinku Women’s Space, and is part of the Ngurruniny Dhukarr network, facilitating camps and on-country activities that have also involved Families and Schools Together, Families as First Teachers, NAAJA, NT Police, Galiwin’ku Art Centre, Miwatj Health Services, Baby Hub, Sport and Rec and most organisations providing services to young people on Elcho.
What is something you are most proud of about LoC in your community?
Sharing our knowledge with the young ones across the whole school and getting them out onto the land safely for learning and fun.
