Project Manager, Emily Murphy-O’Neill has been working alongside remote communities since the 1990s. She considers herself a collaborator with skills to amplify voices authentically.
There are few than 50 speakers of the Warumungu language left according to UNESCO in 2025. Many of the First Languages of this continent are considered endangered, at-risk or sleeping. This resource is aimed at helping address and spark curiosity, joy and passion in the beautiful languages of the many lands we reside on.
It also enables teachers and educators to engage with local languages of their community.
The origin on this project, the Singing For Our Little Ones Warumungu children’s album (funded by the Australian Government) was driven by Connected Beginnings Tennant Creek. It was born from Rosemary Plummer’s dream of encouraging more young ones to learn their language. Along with Connected Beginnings in Tennant Creek, she worked with her sister Marlene and Miriam Frank along with acclaimed language champion Dr Shellie Morris AO.
The women then saw an opportunity to extend their reach with resources and other items to be used by early educators. And the extended resource to support the album came about.
For over 50 years, Rosemary Plummer has championed the Warumungu language as a founding member of the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language Centre and Barkly Regional Arts. Growing up surrounded by Warumungu speakers, she remains dedicated to preserving her language and inspiring future generations to embrace their cultural heritage.
Marlene is a proud Warumungu Elder from Tennant Creek, dedicated to preserving her language and culture. She hopes this album will inspire young children to connect with the Warumungu language through music, fostering cultural pride, identity, and a lasting legacy for future generations.
She is a Warumungu language custodian, passionate about preserving culture through music and education. As a contributor to the Warumungu Children’s Album, she hopes to inspire young generations to keep their language and heritage alive, honoring the teachings of Elders and fostering pride through daily use and song.
Shellie was honored to join these Warumungu women, collaborating to preserve and celebrate this rich language. Through music and storytelling, she contributed her expertise in language revitalisation, creating meaningful songs that aim to empower communities and ensure cultural knowledge is passed to future generations.
Artwork by Rosemary Plummer – Family Centred Environment. Rosemary describes the painting as one of her country and was painted after the writing of the album specifically for the cover of the album and for use throughout the creative direction.
Illustrations for the resources and book are by Noonghaburra / Murawarri artist Tex O’Neill.
Artwork by Rosemary Plummer – Family Centred Environment. Rosemary describes the painting as one of her country and was painted after the writing of the album specifically for the cover of the album and for use throughout the creative direction.
Illustrations for the resources and book are by Noonghaburra / Murawarri artist Tex O’Neill.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners and viewers are warned that the songs on this album and images in this booklet may contain images and voices of deceased persons. All participants have consented to the use of their images, names and voices any time into the future, including after their death.
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An Early Years Cultural Education Resource.
Every element of this project is approved by the women, with equal profit-share agreements in place to ensure relationships with the collaborators are honoured not just in words, but in action.
