Yalmay Yunupiŋu

Class Acts: Episode 09

For over four decades teacher and linguist Yalmay Yunupiŋu was the guiding light at Yirrkala Bilingual School in north-east Arnhem Land and a pioneer of “both ways education”. 

In recognition of her extraordinary work as a teacher, linguist and community leader, Yalmay was named 2024 Senior Australian of the Year. She is also Professor of Indigenous Knowledge at Melbourne University.  

This special episode of Class Acts is not the story of just one student and their special teacher. It’s the story of a school, of a community, of the education rights of indigenous Australians … and the extraordinary teacher who’s been at the heart of it all for almost half a century.