Galiwin’ku, NT

My name is Ruth Gulamanda Dhurrkay Ririgul. I am a Senior Yolŋu Research Leader and my first language is Djambarrpuyŋu. I was born in Milingimbi and now live in Galiwin’ku in North-East Arnhem Land. After working for more than 30 years in education, I joined the University of Melbourne to lead a 2022–23 NHMRC evaluation. I am currently a Chief Investigator on two MRFF projects, including the Marrtjin Limurr Rrambaŋin Guŋga’yun Yolŋu’-Yulŋuny Mala (Walking Together to Support Yolŋu People for Good Health) program.

My work focuses on community engagement, culturally safe research methodologies, data sovereignty, community co-design, and mentoring and encouraging young Yolŋu staff. I am passionate about ensuring that Yolŋu voices and knowledge systems are at the centre of health research and practice.

Download Ruth’s CV: HERE

Education Background

  • Milingimbi School (Primary)
  • Dhupuma College (Years 8–9)
  • Kormilda College, Darwin (Years 9–10)
  • Department of Education and Training – Protecting Children through Education
  • Batchelor Institute – Certificate IV in Indigenous Education Work (70111NT)

Career History

Yolŋu Teacher Assistant, Shepherdson College, Galiwin’ku (1992–2022)
For three decades, I was deeply committed to supporting the education of Yolŋu children at Shepherdson College. I gained extensive experience teaching from preschool through to Year 9. During this time, I developed strong skills in teaching, public speaking, and cross-cultural communication. My long-standing connections with families and clans across Galiwin’ku have shaped the rich community engagement skills that now guide my research work.

Senior Yolŋu Researcher, University of Melbourne (2022–present)
I am one of the senior research leads on the Marrtjin Limurr Rrambaŋin Guŋga’yun Yolŋu’-Yulŋuny Mala program, which works with adult Yolŋu participants to prevent and slow down diabetes and heart disease. I have been involved in all stages of the project, including community co-design, staff training, participant recruitment and engagement, and both quantitative and qualitative data collection. I am currently a Chief Investigator on two research grants supporting this program.

Invited Talks and Awards

  • 2024 – Invited to give evidence at the Inquiry into Diabetes public hearing, House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, Department of the House of Representatives.
  • 2024 – Table Top Presentation, Preventive Health Conference, “Collaborative, Transformative and Preventive Aboriginal Community-led Outreach: The Health and Wellbeing Vision.”
  • 2024 – Speaker, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity 10-Year Anniversary: “Collaborative Research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Bridging Knowledge Systems.”
  • 2024 – Presentation at the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI).
  • 2024 – Guest, Yapas Yarnin’ Podcast with Leila Gurruwiwi (22 November 2024) – Listen here.
  • 2024 – Recipient of the Award for Excellence in Indigenous Collaboration, Global, Place and Community Excellence Awards, University of Melbourne.

Core Skills

  • Teaching and mentoring young Yolŋu people
  • Strong community development and engagement
  • Designing and implementing culturally safe research methodologies
  • Commitment to improving Yolŋu health and wellbeing
  • Bilingual and cross-cultural communication (English and Djambarrpuyŋu)
  • Leading Yolŋu-centred approaches to co-design