The Flinders Rural and Remote Health NT team felt lucky and proud to be on Yolŋu Country for another incredible Garma Festival in East Arnhem Land this August.
Over four memorable days, the festival brought people together in a celebration of culture, community, arts, strength and resilience.
A hands-on highlight: Bush medicine workshops
One of the festival highlights for many was the Cultural Education in Practice – Introduction to Yolŋu Medicine workshop, hosted by Flinders University.
Senior Yolŋu educators Mayalil Marika, Lipaki Dhamarrandji and Murphy Yunupingu, along with the Yirralka Rangers, led engaging hands-on sessions exploring the healing power of Yolŋu bush medicine.
Participants got to experience how Yolŋu knowledge and practice connects health with culture and Country. Nine plant types and one beetle (!) were featured including gadayka (stringy bark) used to treat skin sores and butjiriŋaniŋ (soft bollygum), a gentle, natural moisturiser.
Two-way learning in action
These sessions beautifully echoed the two-way learning approach that Flinders health students take part in during their placements in East Arnhem Land.
Our Nhulunbuy campus, established in 2006, has hosted 19 years of semester-long placements for medical students. In 2024 alone, 29 nursing and allied health students completed their placements in the region.
This work is only possible thanks to the dedication and care of our Nhulunbuy staff and the generosity and leadership of Yolŋu communities.
Looking ahead
We’re proud to keep supporting culturally safe, community-led health education in partnership with Yolŋu people. And we’re so grateful for the chance to learn, grow and walk together.
Thank you to everyone who shared in this experience with us at Garma 2025!