Graduations are among life’s most important milestones and so it deserves to be witnessed by loved ones. Such this the case with Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi who made it a point to appear at the occasion when his granddaughter finally finished schooling.
The aboriginal elder traveled over 2,000 miles from a remote island in Arnhem Land to the Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville, north-east of Melbourne, Australia where Sasha, his granddaughter, is set to graduate from year 10.
He’s one proud grandfather indeed!
In an ABC feature, Gali said:
“I am proud of my grandchildren, Sasha and Alicia, I am proud that this college was taken care of and that they got a good education.”
The article further tells us that the old man went to the ceremony “despite feeling unwell on the morning”.
Gali is a Yolngu Mala leader, known as the Morning Star dancer. He does not know his exact age.
With two of his granddaughters, Gali performed a special traditional dance called Lunggurrma, which means “north wind”.
Sasha shared:
“When visitors come to Elcho Island my grandfather always dances, and all the grandchildren dance with him.
“I always love to dance with my grandparents.
“This was a bit unique.”
Sasha is proud not only of her achievement but also of her culture.
She added:
“I love hunting, looking for oysters and fishing and looking for mangrove worms and dancing traditional, we call it bunggul, that’s what I miss, and telling stories around the campfire.
“I speak three Indigenous languages.
“Going to a boarding school like this, I learnt new Indigenous languages and cultures from different communities as well.”
Sasha hopes to complete year 11 and 12 at the Clontarf Aboriginal College. She hopes to work as a nurse someday. As she further said:
“I would still love to practice culture and teach people my culture. I also want to be a role model to younger girls and show them that they can do something with their lives and be happy.”
