Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which Murdoch University stands and pay respect to Elders past, present and future.

We recognise the long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. In doing this, we acknowledge that the past is not just the past but continues to impact on the present and the future.

A strong start for healthy and resilient Aboriginal people and communities

Ngangk Yira works closely with the WA government, contributing high level expertise to projects and initiatives which seek to ensure Aboriginal families and communities have access to culturally safe maternity care.

Our research goals

We are focussed on research that benefits Aboriginal people and communities, honours self-determination and provides an enduring legacy. Our research is determined through a partnership between Elders, community stakeholders, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers and focuses on complex issues in Aboriginal health and the achievement of social equity.

See our research case studies
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Ngangk Yira - what does it mean?

Ngangk means both 'mother' and 'sun'. Alongside the Noongar word Yira, the meaning expands to: the rising sun (ngangk yira). Together, they have added spiritual meaning for the sun's giving of life to all things in its passage across the sky. (Original artwork by Nellie Green, Badimiya woman)

Learn more
Rhonda Marriott 2024

Meet Professor Rhonda Marriott

Pro Vice Chancellor of Ngangk Yira Institute for Change and Professor in Aboriginal Health, Professor Rhonda Marriott leads a multidisciplinary team and a range of research projects addressing Aboriginal peoples’ questions of research priority. Her personal mantra is “nothing about us without us”.

With a national and international reputation for excellence in Aboriginal research, Rhonda uses her knowledge, expertise and phenomenal professional networks to advocate for the changes needed in health, child protection, education and environmental policies and the systems which operationalise these.

Born in Derby, Western Australia, Rhonda is descended from the Kimberley Nyikina people through her mother. She is a registered nurse and midwife and became the inaugural Head of the School of Nursing at Murdoch University in 2003; becoming the first Indigenous head of a university School of Nursing in Australia.

Rhonda has been the recipient of many awards, including induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019, membership of the Order of Australia in 2020, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

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+61 8 9360 6000

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190.1.001
90 South St Murdoch WA 6150