Joy Murphy Wandin facts for kids
Joy Murphy Wandin is a respected Indigenous Australian elder from the Wurundjeri people. She is part of the Kulin alliance in Victoria, Australia. As a Senior Wurundjeri elder, she often performs the traditional Welcome to Country ceremony. This greeting is given at many important events in Melbourne and to special guests. During the ceremony, she says in the Woiwurrung language, "Wominjeka Wurundjeri Balluk yearmenn koondee bik." This means "Welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people."
Joy Murphy Wandin was born in Healesville. Her family has always lived on Wurundjeri land. She is the great-great niece of William Barak, who was the last traditional leader (called a ngurungaeta) of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. Her older brother, James Wandin (known as Juby), was also a ngurungaeta until he passed away in 2006. He even played football for the St Kilda Football Club in the 1950s.
Her father, Jarlo Wandoon, tried to join the army for World War 1. He was first turned away because he was an Aboriginal person. But when he tried again using his "whitefella" name, James Wandin, he was accepted. He served overseas and is listed on the honour roll at the Healesville RSL. Joy Murphy Wandin has shared her father's story many times. She spoke about his experience and how his family was separated when the Coranderrk community closed in 1923. She told this story during a Welcome to Country speech when John Howard, who was then the Australian Prime Minister, visited Healesville.
What Are Joy Murphy Wandin's Leadership Roles?
Joy Murphy Wandin holds many important positions. She is an honorary professor at Swinburne University. She also chairs the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts, which is part of the University of Melbourne. She helps lead "Keeping Koori Kids in Catholic Education" and is a patron for the Parliament of World Religions.
She is also an ambassador for several organisations. These include BreastScreen Victoria, Australia Day Victoria, and Zoos Victoria (as an Animis Ambassador for the Melbourne Zoo). In the past, she was a trustee for the National Gallery of Victoria. She was also a member of the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria and the Victoria Police Ethical Standards Consultative Committee.
How Has Joy Murphy Wandin Collaborated in Music?
Joy Murphy Wandin has worked with musicians on special projects. In 2001, she teamed up with didgeridoo player Mark Atkins (musician) and composer Philip Glass. They created a concert piece called Voices. It was performed at the Melbourne Town Hall and at New York's Lincoln Center. The City of Melbourne asked for this music to help relaunch the Melbourne Town Hall Organ. Joy Murphy Wandin wrote the words for the piece, which she narrated in four parts during the performance.
She was also a creative artist and lyricist for the Opening and Closing songs of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. She did this through her own business, Jarlo Visions.
In 2011, she performed the Welcome to Country ceremony at the opening of a Scientology building in Melbourne. She welcomed Scientologists to the traditional lands of her ancestors.
What Awards Has Joy Murphy Wandin Received?
Joy Murphy Wandin has been recognised for her important work. In 2001, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The next year, in 2002, she received the Victorian Aboriginal Women's Award. This was for her thirty years of work on Aboriginal issues.
In 2006, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This high honour was given "for her service to the community, particularly the Aborigines." It recognised her significant contributions to social justice, land rights, equal opportunity, art, and reconciliation. She dedicated this award to her husband of 25 years, Peter Kaal, who had passed away unexpectedly in 2005.
