• Lisa Waller

27 October 2011Despite the international evidence, the Northern Territory has discouraged bilingual programs in its schools, writes Lisa Waller in Inside Story. But there are early signs of another shift in attitude, both in Darwin and Canberra

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WE’RE belting along a bauxite-red dirt highway in north-east Arnhem Land, crossing country covered with the short, spindly eucalypts that are endemic to the region. Tall termite mounds rise from the forest floor, guaranteeing that many of the tree trunks are hollowed out – ready for Yolŋu craftsmen to harvest to make the yidaki (didgeridoo), the signature sound in their repertoire. Not too many cars pass on this road between Yirrkala and the Laynha homeland of Garrathalala, so when a white Falcon flashes past our driver waves to the occupants. “That’s Djakapurra and his family,” he says. “You know, Djakapurra Munyarryan, the songman who danced with Nikki Webster and led the traditional welcome ceremony at the opening of the Sydney Olympics…”

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Photo: Banner at the Yirrkala State School in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory (Jonathan Nalder/ Flickr)