Warumungu

Eighteen years in the making, the book Through Teddy's Eyes: A Year in Two Worlds by Faith Duffy has been published; a story told from letters back to family in the UK in 1971-2. Faith's memoir captures her time in Tennant Creek, working alongside Warumungu elder Teddy Plummer, navigating the contrasts between Warumungu traditional ways and the dominant white legal system and inherent racism. The author was joined by Rosemary Plummer on 8CCC Brekky Show with host Brian Coleman, where they discuss some of the changes that have happened over those 50 years.

8CCC's Brian Coleman had a visit from Lachlan (Lachie) Wilkins, CEO of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, and Shauna Upton, Manager at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre. This was a chance to give listeners the latest news about what's happening since the renovations were completed and the exciting news the reopening is planned for April!

Dr Shellie Morris spoke with 8CCC's Kate Lyons-Dawson about the project to save the Warumungu language one child at a time. UNESCO’s endangered language lists Warumungu as “severely endangered” meaning it is generally spoken by grandparents and older generations; a fear that has prompted Warumungu language advocates and co-writers Rosemary Plummer from Tennant Creek, her sister Marlene Plummer and fellow grandmother Miriam Frank to work for decades towards creating these resources. Singing For Our Little Ones will be released on 19 September as an album and supporting materials, offering a meaningful tool for educators, families and communities to start the day with song, language, and strong hearts. Shellie's work has recently been acknowledged with the 2025 Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership. 

Darwin Symphony Orchestra is travelling to Tennant Creek to collaboratively launch and celebrate the Warumungu Children's Album titled 'Singing for Our Little Ones' in the Barkly Regional Arts yard. Important Warumungu knowledge and language keepers, Marlene Plummer, Rosemary Plummer and Miriam Frank visit 8CCC's Barkly Studio to tell us about the making of the album. 

Last Friday, the country’s first First Nations community-owned and grid connected renewable energy project was unveiled right here in the Barkly Region, making it a milestone not only for the Territory, but the nation. The Marlinja Microgrid was launched with a celebration fitting for a project five years in the making, and here to tell us all about it is Orginal Power's Marlinja Community Liaison Officer, Chantelle Johns. 

Wilya Janta Aboriginal Corporation's CEO, Dr Simon Quilty, from Tennant Creek updates the Big Brekky about the newly re-engineered brick-making machine which can now support communities across the Barkly to make their own bricks from their own Country. Primarily using termite mounds and spinifex, the bricks are part of a larger plan for environmentally and culturally-appropriate housing on Warumungu country. Local plumber Nathan McAuliffe has been an integral part of the renovation.