Lynette Riley facts for kids

Lynette Riley is a respected professor who teaches about Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies at the University of Sydney. Born in 1956, she is a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree, Australia. Professor Riley is well-known for her efforts to share and celebrate Aboriginal culture, especially through her popular presentations and online lessons about Aboriginal kinship.

About Lynette Riley's Life

Lynette Riley was born in 1956 in Dubbo, New South Wales. She finished her high school studies in Dubbo. After that, she trained to become a teacher at Armidale College of Advanced Education, finishing in 1977. Her very first job as a teacher was in Moree, New South Wales.

In 1984, Lynette married Warren Mundine, an important Aboriginal leader and politician. They raised seven children together. She later changed her last name back to Riley.

Lynette Riley's Career Journey

Professor Riley has a lot of experience in education. She has taught in many different places, including primary schools, high schools, TAFE colleges, and universities. She has also helped shape government rules for Aboriginal education in NSW.

Early Academic Work

Starting in 1986, Lynette Riley became a researcher at the University of New England. There, she created the "Oorala Centre," which helps Aboriginal students. She also started the Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture series, which focuses on important Aboriginal topics.

By 2013, she was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She taught about Indigenous Studies there.

Research and Achievements

In 2015, Professor Riley earned her PhD degree. Her research looked at how Aboriginal students can succeed in school. She found that Aboriginal students who do very well in NSW often have a strong and positive connection to their cultural identity.

In 2021, she was a finalist for the New South Wales Aboriginal Woman of the Year award. This recognized her amazing contributions.

In June 2023, Lynette Riley was given a special award called Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her outstanding service to education. It also honored her work in developing Indigenous school lessons and supporting students.

In September 2024, Professor Riley was promoted to a full professor at the University of Sydney. This was a very important moment. She became the first Indigenous person to achieve this high rank in her school's history. Many believe she might also be the first Indigenous person from western New South Wales to become a full professor.

Understanding Kinship

In July 2014, the University of Sydney launched an online learning tool called the 'Kinship Module'. This tool helps people learn more about Indigenous culture. The information in this online module came mostly from research done by Professor Riley and her colleagues. Professor Riley has given many successful presentations on kinship to different groups for years.