Since opening in April 2021, Dhupuma Barker has already demonstrated the success that can come from on-Country.
Background
Having heard of his work with Indigenous communities in central Sydney and the Central Coast of NSW, Dr G Yunupiŋu “Old Man” invited Phillip Heath to speak at Garma in 2019. During this meeting a deep and enduring connection was made between them.
This resulted in a personal pledge to Old Man that through Barker, Phillip Heath would bring high quality education to the children of the Yolŋu clan in a way that also preserved and celebrated their own culture, language and traditions.
Barker College was formally invited by Dr G Yunupingu, his brother Djawa Yunupiŋu and the Gumatj community of Gunyangara to re-establish on-country schooling for Yolŋnu children. Dhupuma Barker opened in April 2021.
Dhupuma College in Gulkula operated from 1972 – 1979 as the first ‘Transitional College’ in the Northern Territory, with the aim of incorporating Yolŋu culture, teachings and knowledge into the broader Australian curriculum. Dhupuma College was unexpectedly shut in 1980. Many of today’s Yolŋu leaders attended Dhupuma College and wanted to see it revived.
What does Dhupuma Barker Offer?
Dhupuma Barker is the first stage in achieving an on-Country education experience for Yolŋu children in remote NE Arnhem Land, serving children from birth to 16 years old. It is an independent, bilingual school for Kindergarten to Year 10 students. The School caters for around 60 students in three classes; Midawarr (Transition to Year 2), Djambatj (Year 3-Year 6) and Marayarr (Year 7- Year 10). In 2024, Dhupuma Barker partnered with NT Department of Education to offer Family as First Teachers program (FaFT), welcoming families with children 0-4 years to engage in a play-to-learn and health and wellbeing program.
The School offers access to community driven quality education – allowing children to have educational opportunities without having to leave the community. Blending the Australian Curriculum with traditional Yolŋu teachings and building students’ English language skills with a foundation in Yolŋu Matha, will empower young people to walk in two worlds with dignity and confidence.
Since opening in April 2021, Dhupuma Barker has already demonstrated the success that can come from on-Country, bilingual education with improved school engagement and attendance. The School is currently achieving attendance rates far exceeding those recorded in remote communities across Australia.
The government funding and donations received for Dhupuma Barker are used to operate the School and fund future building works. All money received stays within the local community.
Enjoy this short video featuring the students of Dhupuma Barker.
Achievements
In 2023, six of our students from Dhupuma Barker competed as the first ever Australian Indigenous team, the first from NT and the first from Remote Australia in the World VEX IQ Championships in Dallas USA. The Dhupuma Barker Djirikitj Firebirds have surpassed all expectations and inspire their peers to embrace the learning opportunities provided at School.
School Development
In December 2025, more than 200 community members gathered on Yolŋu Country overlooking Melville Bay to witness a moment decades in the making: the soft opening of the new Dhupuma Barker school. For families from Gunyangara and Nhulunbuy, the day marked far more than the unveiling of new buildings. It represented the renewal of a long‑held vision for two‑way, bicultural education that allows Yolŋu children to remain on-Country while confidently walking in two worlds.
The new campus stands as a tangible expression of hope, partnership and cultural continuity. Designed with Yolŋu voices at its centre, Dhupuma Barker reflects a model of education shaped by community, grounded in language and culture, and oriented towards future generations. The new school was designed collaboratively with community, and an overarching master plan that reflects the familiar shape of the anchor, the Gumatj clan symbol. Featuring four new classrooms, undercover basketball court and a Community Hall for all adults to be welcomed to meet, create artworks and crafts and be deeply engaged in the day-to-day life of the School.
In honour of the founder of the School, Dr G Yunupiŋu, the Community Hall has been named the Djengarra Knowledge Centre. Djeŋarra was one of his Yolŋu names, meaning to look into the future, with precision and clarity, a fitting motto for all djamarrkuli to live by as they embrace learning, harness opportunity and walk safely in two-worlds.
Read more about the impact of the new school for its community.
Enrolments
Dhupuma Barker welcomes students from the Gunyangara community and surrounds. Yolngu co-teachers will advise staff of new families moving to or visiting the township. All students are welcome to join classes, and when regular attendance is established, a student will be formally enrolled.
For all enrolment enquiries, please visit the School to meet the teacher.
General Enquiries
Please phone 0428 756 850.
