Our journey so far
Ngukurr School teachers 1989. Photo source: St Mathews Anglican Church, Ngukurr
Cherry Daniels lecturing about leadership, project planning and cultural identity at the eastern Arnhem Land women ranger's gathering 2016
Macquarie University students from Ngukurr: Shania Miller, Ernest Jnr Daniels and Melissa Wurramarrba, 2017. Photo source: The Australian 31/8/2017
In 2019, 11 students from the Trial Study Hub joined Melissa Wurramarrba and Ernest Daniels at Macquarie Uni. Pictured here with Elder Karen Rogers.
Wuyagiba 2019 students, in our new uniforms designed by local artist and Wuyagiba Djungayi Karen Rogers, on the back deck of the classroom at Wuyagiba.
Wuyagiba 2020 pre-Uni course graduates and staff.
From left to right: Geraldine Daniels, Heather POnto, Dr Helen Rogers, Dr Kevin Rogers and Annette Daniels - Macquarie University Honorary Doctorate ceremony for Dr K Rogers, Dr H Rogers and Dr Cherry Wulumirr Daniels (posthumous, accepted by daughters Geraldine and Annette), March 2023.
Melissa Wurramarrba, from Ngukurr community and Wuyagiba student/staff member, graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts (Education), October 2023.
From 1987-1989 five now Elders from Ngukurr, graduated with a Bachelor Arts in Education from Deakin University, including Cherry Daniels, Kevin Rogers and John Joshua. In 1989, most teachers at Ngukurr School were locals (see photo to left).
These five people are the only Aboriginal University graduates from Ngukurr Community.
In 2008, supported by the Sidney Myer Fund, Dr Ens (through ANU's People on Country project) started working with Ngukurr Elder Cherry Daniels, the Yugul Mangi Rangers and Ngukurr Community on a range of cross-cultural environment projects.
Over this time, the team became known as the Ngukurr Wi Stadi Bla Kantri (We study the Country) Research team.
In 2015, a young people's empowerment project, called the Yangbala Project in kriol, was created (funded by The Nature Conservancy) to take young Aboriginal people out on-Country and help develop their work-ready skills.
In 2017, the first three young people from Ngukurr community in 30 years, started studying at university.
They enrolled in Education, Science and the Foundation Course (going into Environmental Management) at Macquarie University, Sydney.
In 2018, we trialed the Wuyagiba Study Hub concept based on donations from friends, family and generous organisations. The Trial included a 4-week two-way Uni preparation course that was taught by local Elders and Macquarie Uni staff. Fifteen students completed the course and eleven students took up offers to start Bachelor degrees at Macquarie Uni in 2019 (pictured left).
In 2018, two students. Melissa Wurramarrba and Ernest Daniels, were announced as finalist and semi-finalist in the Northern Territory Young Achiever of the Year Awards.
Following the successful trial, the Wuyagiba Study Hub secured substantial funding from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training to further establish the Study Hub over 4 years from 2019-2022.
In 2019, twenty three students participated in the expanded two-way pre-University preparation course. The course ran for 2 x 5 week session (July and September) and was again delivered by local Elders and Macquarie Uni staff. Nine students successfully completed the 10 week course. Following interviews at Macquarie University, 5 students were offered places at Macquarie Uni (Sydney) and 4 offered places at Batchelor Institute (Batchelor).
In 2020, after delays due to the COVID pandemic, we opened the course to students from outside of south east Arnhem Land. Twenty one students started the Pre-Uni course and 8 completed the course, including students from Ngukurr, Katherine, Minyerri and Maningrida. Four new students were offered places at Macquarie Uni in 2021.
In 2021, we collaborated with Macquarie University Faculty of Science to expand the course again with two Micro-credentials made up of total of four 1st year University subjects. Wuyagiba Micro-credential 1 (2 subjects) is taught in semester 1 at Wuyagiba (April - July) and Micro-credential 2 (another 2 subjects) is taught in semester 2 (August - November). In 2021 we hosted students from Ngukurr, Maningrida, Cape York and Gunbalanya. Five of these students went on to study at Macquarie Uni in Sydney in 2022.
Since 2022, we have been running two Micro-credentials each year at Wuyagiba. Twenty students are accepted into the course from around Arnhem Land each semester, with about half consistently completing.
In March 2023, Macquarie University awarded Honorary Doctorates to Kevin and Helen Rogers and Mrs Cherry W. Daniels OAM. Dr Daniels’ posthumous award was received by her daughters Geraldine and Annette Daniels and Wuyagiba Study Hub Elder and Head of Kitchen, Heather Ponto.
In October 2023, the first Wuyagiba alumni (and staff member) graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education - Melissa Wurramarrba.
In 2024 the second Wuyagiba student Regina Rogers, who is Kevin and Helen’s eldest daughter, is expected to graduate from Macquarie Uni. Good luck Regina and to all the students on their learning journeys and becoming leaders in your communities!
We look forward to welcoming new students from across Arnhem Land to Wuyagiba Study Hub!
“Yugul Mangi means “all of us together” in the local Aboriginal language.”