Our Team
MDWg is made up of a dedicated team of Language Workers, linguists, Elders, consultants, admin and management staff. We work in a multicultural environment and aim to increase the use of Miriwoong language wherever possible.
Scroll down to read a brief bio of the people that make up MDWg:
Management and Board
DAVID NEWRY
DIRECTOR
DAVID NEWRY has played a crucial role in establishing the work of Mirima Council since the 1990s and was the chair of the organisation for over two decades. He was instrumental in developing the work of the Kimberley Interpreting Service (Now AIWA) in 2000, after initiating a feasibility study regarding the need for interpreting in the health and justice sectors. David also helped found a range of further Aboriginal organisations now operating successfully in Kununurra. He is the Senior Language and Culture Consultant and main presenter of the cultural awareness program at MDWg. Among his many achievements in working with the Language Centre, David was a key figure in developing the Miriwoong Seasonal Calendar. This resource links Miriwoong language and culture with the land of past, present and future generations. In recognition of his skills as a language and cultural mentor for the community, he was recognised for his Outstanding Individual Contribution to Arts and Culture by the East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards in 2011.
AGNES ARMSTRONG
SENIOR LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CONSULTANT
AGNES ARMSTRONG is a renowned artist with the Waringarri Arts Centre as well as a major contributor to many of MDWg’s activities. She supports Miriwoong language revitalisation by functioning as a language consultant, attending field trips and conducting welcome addresses.
KNUT J. “KJ” OLAWSKY
CEO AND SENIOR LINGUIST
KJ OLAWSKY has been the Senior Linguist and Manager at the MDWg since 2005. He works with the Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people to preserve and revitalise their traditional languages and cultures. Operating in close partnership with a governing committee of traditional Elders, Knut has initiated a range of strategies for Miriwoong language revitalisation, some of which have been highly innovative for Australia. His efforts in helping to maintain and revitalise the Miriwoong language include initiatives such as the start of a Master-Apprentice program, Miriwoong Language Nest and other activities. In his role as a linguist, Knut has published grammars of Indigenous languages from Ghana and Peru. He is currently working with team members to describe the grammar of Miriwoong. Knut holds an MA and a PhD from Duesseldorf University (Germany) and has previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of California at Berkeley (USA) and the Research Centre for Linguistic Typology (La Trobe University, Melbourne).
TRACEY STRANGER
OFFICE MANAGER
TRACEY STRANGER has an interest in history, ecology and sustainability of biodiversity which encompasses traditional culture and language, especially how we communicate. She has a fascination with the human brain and how we perceive and interpret, hence her extended studies to understand mental health and communication and how important language is, in its many presentations. Tracey has a Bach Applied Science (Microbiology), Grad Diploma in Marketing and a Certificate in NeuroScience. She was drawn to the Kimberley region ~ ancient and sacred land. To live in harmony we surely must embrace the richness of founding culture entwined in the language and stories of the Miriwoong people. Tracey is very grateful to be working with and to assist the Board and Management of MDWg plus the Miriwoong Language Teachers with the growing number of community activities MDWg is engaged in to revitalize Miriwoong language and culture and ensure there is a smooth day-to-day administration of the Language Centre.
Indigo Gerrard
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT OFFICER
INDIGO is a Miriwoong/Ngarinman woman who lives and was born on Miriwoong country. She has a lot of experience working in administration and front office.
Indigo recently joined MDWg to enter a career in administration and eventually management, as well as to develop new skills and understanding of Miriwoong language and culture.
Indigo says “I haven’t been taught the local language as a kid. I remember sitting around the fireplace with one of my elder, maybe he wanted to teach us younger ones, but such time was too short, he passed.”
“Not many people speak the language, but I am willing to learn and speak the local language fluently. I love going out on country, fishing and swimming”
Language Education Team
GLENNIS GALBAT NEWRY
Vice Chairperson & Senior Language Engagement Officer
GLENNIS GALBAT NEWRY is a Miriwoong woman who has been working with MDWg for many years. She first worked for MDWg in 1998 as a Language Worker, focusing on language transmission to following generations. Glennis is the author of two children’s books on Miriwoong animals, and was one of the key consultants for the development of the Miriwoong Seasonal Calendar. She strongly feels that her traditional language is a crucial element in looking after country.
As a language engagement officer, Glennis is constantly improving her skills in teaching her own endangered language to children and young adults and also teaches MDWg’s public language class.
SYLVIA SIMON
Language Engagement Officer
SYLVIA SIMON first worked at MDWg between 2016 and 2022.
After a break, she returned to MDWg to join the Early Years Development Program team. Sylvia believes teaching children language from a very early age is very important as it helps those kids to grow up with strong spirits and strong culture.
When Sylvia is at work, surrounded by her language and culture, she feels happy and proud, and it makes her want to share her language and culture with others.
Sylvia hopes that as she uses Miriwoong more and more, and teaches it to others, it will help her keep her language strong.
Che Kelly
Language Engagement Officer
CHE KELLY has been working at the Mirima Language and Culture Centre as a Miriwoong teacher since November of 2021.
Che loves practicing and teaching himself new Miriwoong words so he can become a fluent speaker like his Elders, as well as teaching others about Miriwoong Language so they can respect and communicate with the Miriwoong people around Kununurra. Che also loves teaching Language to kids, especially the next generation of Miriwoong kids, and has just started an Aboriginal Languages Teacher Training (ALTT) course so that he can teach kids in the best way possible!
DIANNE DINGLE
Senior Language Engagement Officer
DIANNE DINGLE joined MDWg in 2016 with her sister Barbara, and quickly settled in to be a valued member of the Language Nest team. She has found great personal joy in reconnecting with her proud Miriwoong heritage. Dianne is excited to be helping young children grow up with an understanding of Miriwoong language and culture. She has recently graduated from the ALTT program, a qualified Aboriginal Languages Teacher! Dianne’s passion and enthusiasm has helped her learn quickly and she hopes to continue to work closely with Elders in order to become a leader in the community.
ANGELA DINGLE
Language Engagement Officer
ANGELA DINGLE joined her sister Dianne at MDWg in 2018. She soon became a dependable and valued member of the Language Nest team.
Like her sister, Angie loves teaching children, and is excited to be helping young children grow up with an understanding of Miriwoong language and culture.
Angie is the author of our children’s book ‘Doonggerrnging Manggethang’ The Hungry Spider.
HELEN BOOMBI
Language Engagement Officer
HELEN BOOMBI loves seeing Miriwoong children engage with the language lessons through songs, stories and language activities. Her sense of humour and fun, laid back personality makes her a vibrant presence in the classroom, and she loves to help and encourage her fellow teachers. Helen aspires to be a strong Miriwoong speaker and a confident teacher.
IMMARA TAYLOR HANNON
Language Engagement Officer
IMMARA TAYLOR HANNAN has been working at the Mirima Language and Culture Centre as a Miriwoong teacher since October of 2023.
Immara aims at becoming a fluent speaker of Miriwoong and loves learning new words to strengthen the language that she teaches to children.
Immara loves working with the kids “as we all join in together with interactive games which is a lot of fun” and a great way to learn.
LENA GALLAGHER
Language Engagement Officer
LENA GALLAGHER has been teaching Miriwoong language with MDWg for almost 5 years. After taking some time off to care for her son, Lena returned to teaching Miriwoong in 2025.
ROSEMARY BOOMBI
Language Engagement Officer
ROSEMARY BOOMBI has been working for Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring since 2014. She was one of the first Miriwoong Language Nest teachers.
After a break, Rosemary rejoined MDWg as a Miriwoong teacher in 2025.
Linguistic and Resource Team
INGRID NINGARMARA
Chairperson & LANGUAGE OFFICER
INGRID NINGARMARA began working for MDWg in 2011. She stayed on for 9 years working closely with the Master-Apprentice Language Program, as well as transcribing Spoken Language data, and recording word-of-the-week scripts to play on the local radio station.
Ingrid returned to MDWg in 2023 to work in the Early Years Development pilot program, developing games, resources and curriculums for children so they can learn language. She loves spending time immersed in Miriwoong Language and Kriol, it helps her to connect more deeply with her language, her culture and her family.
FRANCES KOFOD
Project Linguist
FRANCES KOFOD has been involved in many projects to do with language and culture in the East Kimberley during the past forty years, including extensive work with all Jarragan languages (Miriwoong, Gajirrabeng, and Gija).
She came to Kununurra in the 1970s to record Miriwoong language for the University of New England. Frances completed a description of Miriwoong grammar as an MA Honours thesis in 1978. She also recorded Gajirrabeng at the request of senior speakers. In 1989 she assisted the Mirima Council in setting up Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre (MDWg).
Frances still works casually for MDWg, working on grammar, dictionary and traditional ecological knowledge projects. Since 2009, after completion of a community dictionary with Miriwoong people she has been working with other linguists on the Miriwoong Grammar project with a focus on the vastly complex system of Miriwoong verbs.
JIMMY PADDY
Language & Culture Consultant
JIMMY PADDY is a Gajirrabeng man from Kununurra (Western Australia). He has been a Language worker and consultant with Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring for more than 7 years.
As part of his Language and Culture consultations, Jimmy also teaches at the schools. Jimmy enjoys teaching the early years classes and has a passion for teaching Indigenous boys about Miriwoong language and culture.
Jimmy also has a strong interest in using technology for language revitalisation and has been working in video and audio editing, slideshows and database software to create language resources.
CONNOR BROWN
LANGUAGE ENGAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
CONNOR BROWN has been working with Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people as a linguist since 2019 and joined MDWg in 2023. He is passionate about supporting community members in the preservation of both their language and culture, and enjoys supporting people in strengthening their language skills.
Connor holds a PhD from the University of Western Australia, where he is also an Adjunct Research Fellow. Prior to joining MDWg, Connor worked on documenting and describing the Kriol variety used by Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people in Kununurra and surrounding communities. Connor has a particular interest in the outcomes of language contact, along with variation within and across languages, and how languages express meaning. He has published work on a number of contact languages in Australia.
JOSHUA PEREIRA
DIGITAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
JOSHUA PEREIRA joined MDWg as an intern in 2024. As a Digital Resource Development Officer, he continues to support the revitalisation of Miriwoong.
Working collaboratively with community members and linguists, he is creating a suite of digital resources designed to enhance phonological and orthographic awareness and contribute to broader language revitalisation efforts.