MEDIA RELEASE
Nhulunbuy, NT — October, 2026
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation and New Future IT are proud to announce a three-year partnership under the Industry Meets Country initiative, creating new opportunities for Yolŋu people in East Arnhem Land to develop digital skills and explore future careers in information technology, digital services and cyber security.
The partnership brings together Dhimurru’s commitment to Yolŋu leadership, cultural knowledge and community development with New Future IT’s industry expertise and technical capabilities.
Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to create meaningful pathways for young Yolŋu people, Rangers and community members to access digital education, practical training, mentoring and potential employment opportunities in the growing technology sector.
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation Executive Officer Stephina Salee said the partnership represents an important opportunity to build new skills and create a stronger future for Yolŋu communities.
“At Dhimurru, our responsibility is not only to protect and manage our Country, but also to create opportunities for our people and future generations. Technology is becoming an important part of how we work, manage information and protect our cultural and environmental knowledge.
This partnership provides an opportunity for our young people and Rangers to develop new skills, build confidence and explore careers they may not have previously considered.
We want to see Yolŋu people leading in these spaces, combining our cultural knowledge with modern technology and creating employment pathways that allow our people to remain connected to Country, culture and community.
For Dhimurru, this is about building long-term capability, creating opportunities and ensuring our people are part of the digital future.”
New Future IT Director Jesse Leal said the partnership was about creating lasting benefits through collaboration.
“It is important to us that the work we do leaves lasting skills and knowledge in the communities we serve. Through Industry Meets Country, we’re proud to work alongside Dhimurru to create meaningful opportunities for Yolŋu people to build digital skills, explore technology careers and develop pathways for the future.”
Creating Pathways from Country into Technology
The partnership will explore a range of practical activities, including:
- Technology workshops and introductory digital learning opportunities for Junior Rangers.
- Digital skills development and technology training for Dhimurru Rangers.
- Career mentoring, industry engagement and workplace visits.
- Exposure to cyber security, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital infrastructure.
- Opportunities to explore ICT traineeships, industry placements and future employment.
- Building local capability to support Dhimurru’s ongoing environmental management, cultural knowledge protection and organisational operations.
The initiative will seek to establish a pathway that supports Yolŋu participants as they progress through different stages of learning and professional development:
Junior Ranger → Ranger → Digital Foundations → ICT Trainee → Industry Placement → Employment
This pathway recognises the importance of early engagement, practical experience and continued support in developing long-term career opportunities.
Respecting Culture, Building Capability and Creating Opportunity
Central to the partnership is a shared commitment to respecting Yolŋu cultural authority, community decision-making and culturally appropriate approaches to learning and development.
Dhimurru will maintain its leadership in determining how activities are delivered within its organisation and how opportunities are aligned with community priorities, cultural responsibilities and the protection of Yolŋu knowledge.
The partnership also recognises the increasing role of digital technology in contemporary land and sea management, including environmental monitoring, information management, mapping and research.
By combining traditional knowledge, cultural leadership and emerging technologies, Dhimurru and New Future IT hope to support a new generation of Yolŋu professionals who can contribute to both their communities and the broader technology industry.
Looking to the Future
Over the next three years, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation and New Future IT will work collaboratively to identify practical learning opportunities, strengthen digital capability and explore sustainable pathways into training and employment.
The partnership reflects a shared vision of ensuring that technological advancement creates genuine opportunities for Aboriginal people, while respecting and strengthening their connection to Country, culture and community.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Stephina Salee, Executive Officer, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
Jesse Leal, Director, New Future IT
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation × New Future IT
Industry Meets Country | Building Skills, Creating Pathways, Strengthening Futures