Our research, our projects
Our projects foreground Indigenous knowledges, leadership, and research priorities through strong community consultation.
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja is dedicated to Indigenous-led research and community-driven impact. Explore the projects below to learn more about the work we’re undertaking with our partners.
Current projects
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies
Led by Professor Della Forster and Elder Aunty Gina Bundle, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies project expands culturally safe, continuous maternity care across Victoria, where women are supported by the same midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja is a key partner in this project. Collaborating with La Trobe’s Judith Lumley Centre, the Centre ensures the care model is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and tailored to local community needs. It plays a central role in embedding cultural safety, supporting Indigenous leadership, and strengthening community partnerships.
Building on earlier work with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and three hospitals, the program has already benefited over 1,000 families. With this new funding, it will reach 1,600 more women, including in regional areas, aiming to close the gap in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Yorta Yorta Self-Determination in the Fruit Picking Industry
Funded through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Indigenous scheme, this project explores the vital role Yorta Yorta people played in the Goulburn Valley fruit-picking industry from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Led by Professor Julie Andrews (our GBWW Director) and Professor Katherine Ellinghaus (School of Archaeology and History), in partnership with Outback Academy Australia Chairperson Leanne Miller AM, the project has secured more than $1 million in ARC funding.
Using family- and clan-led research, the study examines how Yorta Yorta people exercised self-determination through their participation in seasonal agricultural work. The research will deliver important cultural outcomes for the community and deepen knowledge of Aboriginal entrepreneurship, resilience and leadership.
Past projects
Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Management for transport resilience
Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja partnered with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to conduct research into how Aboriginal Cultural Landscape Management (ACLM) can build resilience to natural hazards into the transport network.
Our role ensured that Aboriginal knowledge systems, cultural values, and community aspirations are at the heart of the work. We bring Indigenous-led research expertise to guide the respectful integration of traditional land and water management practices into TfNSW’s vegetation management standards and policies.
This partnership reflected our commitment to embedding Indigenous leadership in research and practice, and to ensuring that Country is cared for in ways that honour its cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance.
See our research reports and literature reviews completed as part of the project on the TfNSW website here.
Partner with us
As our network of collaborators continues to grow, we are building meaningful partnerships that align with the aspirations and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Connect with us
To learn more about our projects or make an enquiry, please get in touch with us.