Troy Mardigan

Nauiyu, NT

My name is Troy Mulvien. I am a descendant of Ngengikurungurr, Ngen’giwumirri, Marri-Ngarr and Murrinh Patha.

I’m from Nauiyu Community, which is on the banks of the Daly River, 250km south west of Darwin. My language is Ngen’giwumirri.

My Mum is from Wadeye, she speaks Murrinh Patha. My father is from Malfyin, and his language is Ngen’giwumirri. He was born and raised in Nauiyu by the Daly River Catholic missionaries.

I speak four languages Ngengikurungurr, Kriol, Murrinh Patha and English.

I lived for most of my life in Nauiyu. At the age of 3, I grew up with my grandmother. Later, I lived with my Auntie Miriam Rose Ungunmerr and attended St Francis Xavier School in Nauiyu. At the age of 15, I went down south for schooling, to St Joseph’s College, Fern Tree Gully in the Dandenongs. I was there for 4.5 years. Later on, I came back to Daly River, and then was sent to Ross Trevor College in Adelaide to complete my year 11 schooling.

I was an arts worker at the Art Centre for 4 years. I did painting and screen printing. Later on, I moved to the clinic as an AOD counsellor, then moved to the school. After that, I was involved with the church, and I went to Nungaliya College in Darwin and started my ministry and theological studies, and completed Cert III in Theology.

I worked with the Aboriginal Interpreter service. We used to work at the hospital, court, ABC, Centrelink and with the police. I would translate Aboriginal languages into English, helping Aboriginal people from my South West Daly region.

Currently, I’m studying for a Cert IV in theology. I also work at the Art Centre at Nungalinya as a trainee arts worker. Recently, my artwork was shown at an exhibition at Nungalinya College

I am also involved at the Catholic School here in Nauiyu, teaching religion through art. I teach culture to young people, including language, bush tucker, songlines, and singing in language, both in Murrinh Patha and Ngengikurungurr, and translating into English. I got that knowledge from my grandmother. My goal is to be a qualified religion teacher at my local community.

I have been pleased to do research on the West Daly Peacemaking Project, working in my own languages. I am available to work on other research projects in the West Daly Region. If you would like to work with me, please contact me through this website.

Leadership roles:

Board Director, Miriam Rose Foundation, 2025 – present
Vice-chair, Miriam Rose Foundation, 2023-24
Board Director, Merrepen Arts Aboriginal Learning and Culture Centre Corporation, 2022
Youth Leader in Catholic Diocese of West Daly Region