Our Expert - Rita Wopurruwuy Gondarra

Rita is a weaver who loves to share her knowledge and traditions with guests. She is the wife of Timmy, who is the founder of Bawaka Aboriginal Corporation and Lirriwi Tourism and a traditional owner of the Bawaka homeland. Rita is also the daughter of Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, a well-respected civil rights activist for her people. She has a history of working in health care, particularly in bush medicine and a Master's of Indigenous Knowledge from the Mawul Rom Project.

Rita is a weaver, and I loves to share her knowledge and traditions with guests. She is Timmy’s wife and the daughter of Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, a well-respected civil rights activist for her people.

Rita grew up in Darwin and didn’t have much time in the city to sit and listen to nature and hear stories. She moved to Yirrkala from Darwin, where she used to go and sit with old ladies and listen to their stories. Rita loved sitting with old people and picking up stories, when she was living in Darwin and misses those moments. Rita completed Year 12 in Darwin and then completed a Certificate III in Primary Health Care. She worked at the Yirrkala Clinic for 16 years, where she also collaborated with all the elderly women on bush medicine.

Rita also has a Masters of Indigenous Knowledge from the Mawul Rom Project.