ABOUT DHIMURRU
Dhimurru is an incorporated Aboriginal organisation established by Yolŋu land-owners in Northeast Arnhem Land, Australia. The office is located in Nhulunbuy (Gove).
Yolŋu (Aboriginal people of Northeast Arnhem Land) are the traditional owners of lands consisting of approximately 550,000ha. The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act of 1976 recognises Yolŋu as the owners of this land under Australian law. Dhimurru has jurisdiction over approximately 8,500km2 of this land.
Since time immemorial Yolŋu have managed the natural and cultural resources and have achieved a balance that ensured long term, sustainable resource use for the economic and social well-being of the landowners.
The permanent presence of a large non-Yolŋu population in recent times required a new response. On April 8, 1992, after extensive consultations Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation was formally incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976.
Yolŋu (Aboriginal people of Northeast Arnhem Land) are the traditional owners of lands consisting of approximately 550,000ha. The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act of 1976 recognises Yolŋu as the owners of this land under Australian law. Dhimurru has jurisdiction over approximately 8,500km2 of this land.
Since time immemorial Yolŋu have managed the natural and cultural resources and have achieved a balance that ensured long term, sustainable resource use for the economic and social well-being of the landowners.
The permanent presence of a large non-Yolŋu population in recent times required a new response. On April 8, 1992, after extensive consultations Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation was formally incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976.
Dhimurru's aims, goals and objectives
Our aim is to address the natural and cultural management priorities with particular emphasis on designated recreation areas in accordance with the directions of our traditional owners.
The township of Nhulunbuy (Gove) and the associated bauxite mining operation, run by Rio Tinto Alcan, are located on leases surrounded by land held under inalienable freehold title by the recognised traditional owners. We have designated certain areas of land outside the lease areas as recreation areas available to residents of Nhulunbuy (Gove) and visitors to the township. A focus of Dhimurru's activities is the development and implementation of culturally and environmentally appropriate resource management strategies for these areas.
Dhimurru seeks to provide residents and visitors with an enjoyable recreation experience and at the same time an avenue for enhancing their awareness of Yolŋu cultural values.
Among its functions, Dhimurru issues VISITOR ACCESS AND CAMPING Permits for access and to stay on these areas, monitors compliance with permit conditions, and develops culturally appropriate resource management plans.
All functions undertaken by Dhimurru are in accord with the expressed wishes and directions of our relevant traditional land-owners.
The township of Nhulunbuy (Gove) and the associated bauxite mining operation, run by Rio Tinto Alcan, are located on leases surrounded by land held under inalienable freehold title by the recognised traditional owners. We have designated certain areas of land outside the lease areas as recreation areas available to residents of Nhulunbuy (Gove) and visitors to the township. A focus of Dhimurru's activities is the development and implementation of culturally and environmentally appropriate resource management strategies for these areas.
Dhimurru seeks to provide residents and visitors with an enjoyable recreation experience and at the same time an avenue for enhancing their awareness of Yolŋu cultural values.
Among its functions, Dhimurru issues VISITOR ACCESS AND CAMPING Permits for access and to stay on these areas, monitors compliance with permit conditions, and develops culturally appropriate resource management plans.
All functions undertaken by Dhimurru are in accord with the expressed wishes and directions of our relevant traditional land-owners.
The primary function of Dhimurru is to facilitate the protection, conservation and sustainable management of natural and cultural resource values, concentrating on those areas which are subject to recreational use. We want to effectively manage natural and cultural resources based on Yolŋu control and a community-based approach to planning.
In initiating Dhimurru, traditional Yolŋu landowners recognised the urgent need for planned, sustainable and culturally appropriate management of the recreation areas as the township of Nhulunbuy developed and visitor numbers increased. They strongly asserted that access to their land would in the future be contingent upon such management.
A fundamental objective of the organisation is to investigate avenues for incorporating western science-based management practice within traditional resource management. Dhimurru believes that the result can be beneficial in maintaining both the environmental and cultural integrity of Yolŋu lands and seas. With this aim in mind, Dhimurru has established a co-operative working relationship in collaborative research and survey projects with a range of agencies and institutions.
Dhimurru assists individual Yolŋu land-owners, homeland centres, and local Yolŋu community organisations with the development and implementation of resource management strategies on land outside the designated recreation areas.
It is attracting increasing national and international attention as an indigenous natural and cultural resource management agency.
In initiating Dhimurru, traditional Yolŋu landowners recognised the urgent need for planned, sustainable and culturally appropriate management of the recreation areas as the township of Nhulunbuy developed and visitor numbers increased. They strongly asserted that access to their land would in the future be contingent upon such management.
A fundamental objective of the organisation is to investigate avenues for incorporating western science-based management practice within traditional resource management. Dhimurru believes that the result can be beneficial in maintaining both the environmental and cultural integrity of Yolŋu lands and seas. With this aim in mind, Dhimurru has established a co-operative working relationship in collaborative research and survey projects with a range of agencies and institutions.
Dhimurru assists individual Yolŋu land-owners, homeland centres, and local Yolŋu community organisations with the development and implementation of resource management strategies on land outside the designated recreation areas.
It is attracting increasing national and international attention as an indigenous natural and cultural resource management agency.
Our logo
The Dhimurru badge was designed when Dhimurru first started in 1992.
The badge is a strong representation of Yolŋu culture and the way Dhimurru operates. It shows the black and white cockatoos found in this area, enclosed in the vine, Mawuka (Morning Glory).
The white and black cockatoos represent the moieties that are one of the most important aspects of Yolŋu culture. Moities, Dhuwa and Yirritja, are the fundamental divisions that separate everything in the Yolŋu universe.
The white cockatoo, Ngerrk, is from the Yirritja moiety while the black cockatoo, Natili, is from the Dhuwa moiety. These animals were chosen because of their strong characters, being friendly and very intelligent. They were drawn facing each other which shows the balance between them and gives the impression of sharing and learning off one another.
The beach vine called Mawuka is also from the Dhuwa moiety. It is a coastal plant that flowers as the Dhimurru winds come in from the South-East. It is very important for judging the season, for food and medicine, as well as playing a big part in cultural songs and dance.
In this case, Mawuka also symbolises life, power, beauty and the connections between the two moieties despite the distinctions between them. Dhimurru emulates this cross-cultural and cross-clan relationship idea and extends this in its “both ways” approach bringing Ngapaki and Yolŋu knowledge together in managing country.
The badge is a strong representation of Yolŋu culture and the way Dhimurru operates. It shows the black and white cockatoos found in this area, enclosed in the vine, Mawuka (Morning Glory).
The white and black cockatoos represent the moieties that are one of the most important aspects of Yolŋu culture. Moities, Dhuwa and Yirritja, are the fundamental divisions that separate everything in the Yolŋu universe.
The white cockatoo, Ngerrk, is from the Yirritja moiety while the black cockatoo, Natili, is from the Dhuwa moiety. These animals were chosen because of their strong characters, being friendly and very intelligent. They were drawn facing each other which shows the balance between them and gives the impression of sharing and learning off one another.
The beach vine called Mawuka is also from the Dhuwa moiety. It is a coastal plant that flowers as the Dhimurru winds come in from the South-East. It is very important for judging the season, for food and medicine, as well as playing a big part in cultural songs and dance.
In this case, Mawuka also symbolises life, power, beauty and the connections between the two moieties despite the distinctions between them. Dhimurru emulates this cross-cultural and cross-clan relationship idea and extends this in its “both ways” approach bringing Ngapaki and Yolŋu knowledge together in managing country.
Sponsors and partners
Permit revenue covers a lesser portion of Dhimurru's costs and Dhimurru relies heavily on sponsors to fund projects and operations. Our sponsors include:
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Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account
Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education Buku Larrnggay Mulka Art and Multi media National Indigenous Australians Agency Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) Centre for Aboriginal Economic and Policy Research, Charles Darwin University (CDU) Border Force CSIRO Earth Collective East Arnhem Land Tourism Association East Arnhem Shire Ghost Nets Australia Gumatj Association Laynhapuy Homelands Association and Yirralka Rangers Marine and Coastal Community Network (NT) |
Mathakal Rangers
Marngarr Resource Centre National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) Nhulunbuy Corporation Limited (NCL) Nhulunbuy Volunteers Northern Land Council (NLC) NT Government NT Tourist Commission Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service Rio Tinto Gove Operations Rirratjingu Association and Bunuwal Investments Rotary Club Nhulunbuy South Australian Museum Threatened Species Network The Christensen Fund The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Yolngu land owners Yothu Yindi Foundation |
There are also many other people and partners who provide in-kind contributions.
