About The Kimberley Foundation

Our history

In 1993 four Aboriginal, David Mowaljarlai, Laurie Gawanulli, Paddy Wamma and Paddy Neowarra were seeking to ‘build bridges of two-way understanding and two-way learning’ between traditional Kimberley aborigines and non–aboriginal people.

These old men were concerned that their culture, their law and traditions were not only being lost to future generations of aborigines, but were not known nor understood by other Australians. 

 “Our country is living, breathing life. Our land is reflected in us, and we are reflected in the land. Our past, present and future is all in the land, from creation time to future time – all at once.”

They approached a Kimberley pastoralist to encourage people of influence to visit the Kimberley so that these old men could share stories of their country. The 'Bush University' was formed, and people from all walks of life came to the North Kimberley to experience the power and spirituality of the Ngarinyin*, their land, their law, their art and their ceremony. 

‘Friends of the Ngarinyin’ was formed by those who had participated.  Gradually Worroro and Wunumbal people joined the Ngarinyin in the Bush University experience and it changed its name to ‘Friends of the Wandjina’.  In 1998 it was registered as the Wandjina** Foundation. In 2002, as its interests grew, and to reflect its broader objectives,  the Foundation was renamed the Kimberley Foundation Australia.

 “ If we share the stories of our country with gudia (whitefella), then they will have our country in their hearts as we do, and they will understand and love it, and never damage it.”   David Bungal Mowaljarlai OAM (c.1926–1997)

** The Wandjina people comprise three tribes: Ngarinyin (the largest group), the Worrora and the Wunumbal.