Joy Murphy Wandin
Encyclopedia
Joy Murphy Wandin is an Indigenous Australian, Senior Wurundjeri
elder of the Kulin
alliance in Victoria
, Australia. She has given the traditional welcome to country greeting at many Melbourne
events and to many distinguished visitors where she says in the Woiwurrung language "Wominjeka Wurundjeri Balluk yearmenn koondee bik" (Welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people).
Born in Healesville
, Joy Murphy Wandin's family never left Wurundjeri land and she is the great-great niece to William Barak
, the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. Her older brother (Juby) James Wandin
, who once played football with St Kilda Football Club in the 1950s, was the ngurungaeta
of the Wurundjeri till his death in February 2006.
Her father, Jarlo Wandoon, tried to enlist for World War 1, but was rejected due to being an aborigine. When he attempted to enlist under his whitefella name, James Wandin, he was accepted into the army and served overseas and is listed under that name on the honour roll in the Healesville RSL. Joy Murphy Wandin told the story of her father's enlistment, and subsequent dispossession and separation from family with the closure of Coranderrk
in 1923 in her Welcome to country speech when John Howard
, as Australian Prime Minister, visited Healesville.
In 2002 she was awarded the Victorian Aboriginal Women's Award for being involved with Aboriginal Issues for thirty years. In 2006 she was made an officer of the Order of Australia
"for her service to the community, particularly the Aborigines, through significant contributions in the fields of social justice, land rights, equal opportunity, art and reconciliation". She dedicated the award to her husband of 25 years, Peter Kaal, who died of an unexpected illness in October 2005.
Other roles she has include an honorary Professor at Swinburne University, Chair of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts University of Melbourne
, Board member of Fraynework Multimedia (Sisters of Mercy
), Co-Patron for Keeping Koori Kids in Catholic Education and Patron for Parliament of World Religions. Joy is also an Ambassador for BreastScreen Victoria, Australia Day Victoria and an Animis Ambassador for Zoos Victoria
. In the past she has been a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria
, a member of the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, a member of the Victoria Police
Ethical Standards Consultative Committee.
In 2001 she collaborated with didgeridoo player Mark Atkins (musician) and composer Philip Glass
in the concert work Voices, performed at the Melbourne Town Hall and New York's Lincoln Centre. The composition was commissioned by the City of Melbourne
to relaunch the Melbourne Town Hall Organ. Wandin wrote the accompanying text which she narrated in four parts with the music in the performance.
She was the creative artist for projects and lyricist for the Opening and Closing songs in the 2006 Commonwealth Games
held in Melbourne through her consultancy business Jarlo Visions.
In 2011 she performed the Welcome to Country ceremony at the opening of a Scientology
facility in Melbourne
, "welcoming Scientologists to the lands of her ancestors".
Wurundjeri
The Wurundjeri are a people of the Indigenous Australian nation of the Woiwurrung language group, in the Kulin alliance, who occupy the Birrarung Valley, its tributaries and the present location of Melbourne, Australia...
elder of the Kulin
Kulin
The Kulin nation, was an alliance of five Indigenous Australian nations in Central Victoria, Australia, prior to European settlement. Their collective territory extended to around Port Phillip and Western Port, up into the Great Dividing Range and the Loddon and Goulburn River valleys. To their...
alliance in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia. She has given the traditional welcome to country greeting at many Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
events and to many distinguished visitors where she says in the Woiwurrung language "Wominjeka Wurundjeri Balluk yearmenn koondee bik" (Welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people).
Born in Healesville
Healesville, Victoria
Healesville is a town in Victoria, Australia, 52 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges...
, Joy Murphy Wandin's family never left Wurundjeri land and she is the great-great niece to William Barak
William Barak
William Barak , was the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan, based around the area of present-day Melbourne, Australia...
, the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. Her older brother (Juby) James Wandin
James Wandin
James Wandin , also known as Jim, Jimmy, or Juby, was the ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri till his death in February 2006...
, who once played football with St Kilda Football Club in the 1950s, was the ngurungaeta
Ngurungaeta
Ngurungaeta is a Wurundjeri word meaning 'head man' or 'tribal leader'. Ngurungaeta held the same tribal standing as an Arweet of the Bunurong and Wathaurong people...
of the Wurundjeri till his death in February 2006.
Her father, Jarlo Wandoon, tried to enlist for World War 1, but was rejected due to being an aborigine. When he attempted to enlist under his whitefella name, James Wandin, he was accepted into the army and served overseas and is listed under that name on the honour roll in the Healesville RSL. Joy Murphy Wandin told the story of her father's enlistment, and subsequent dispossession and separation from family with the closure of Coranderrk
Coranderrk
Coranderrk was an Indigenous Australian mission station set up in 1863 to provide land under the policy of concentration, for Aboriginal people who had been dispossessed by the arrival of Europeans to the state of Victoria 30 years prior. The mission was formally closed in 1924 with most residents...
in 1923 in her Welcome to country speech when John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
, as Australian Prime Minister, visited Healesville.
In 2002 she was awarded the Victorian Aboriginal Women's Award for being involved with Aboriginal Issues for thirty years. In 2006 she was made an officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
"for her service to the community, particularly the Aborigines, through significant contributions in the fields of social justice, land rights, equal opportunity, art and reconciliation". She dedicated the award to her husband of 25 years, Peter Kaal, who died of an unexpected illness in October 2005.
Other roles she has include an honorary Professor at Swinburne University, Chair of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Victorian College of the Arts University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, Board member of Fraynework Multimedia (Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
), Co-Patron for Keeping Koori Kids in Catholic Education and Patron for Parliament of World Religions. Joy is also an Ambassador for BreastScreen Victoria, Australia Day Victoria and an Animis Ambassador for Zoos Victoria
Melbourne Zoo
The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, commonly known as the Melbourne Zoo, contains more than 320 animal species from Australia and around the world. The zoo is north of the centre of Melbourne. It is accessible via Royal Park station on the Upfield railway line, and is also accessible via tram...
. In the past she has been a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria
National Gallery of Victoria
The National Gallery of Victoria is an art gallery and museum in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest and the largest public art gallery in Australia. Since December 2003, NGV has operated across two sites...
, a member of the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, a member of the Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
Ethical Standards Consultative Committee.
In 2001 she collaborated with didgeridoo player Mark Atkins (musician) and composer Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...
in the concert work Voices, performed at the Melbourne Town Hall and New York's Lincoln Centre. The composition was commissioned by the City of Melbourne
City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the central city area of Melbourne. The city has an area of 36 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 93,105 people. The city's motto is "Vires acquirit eundo" which means "She gathers strength as she...
to relaunch the Melbourne Town Hall Organ. Wandin wrote the accompanying text which she narrated in four parts with the music in the performance.
She was the creative artist for projects and lyricist for the Opening and Closing songs in the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
held in Melbourne through her consultancy business Jarlo Visions.
In 2011 she performed the Welcome to Country ceremony at the opening of a Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
facility in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, "welcoming Scientologists to the lands of her ancestors".