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Rarrtijiwuy Melanie Herdman

Rarrtijiwuy Melanie Herdman is a Yolŋu woman and leader from NE Arnhem Land who has a passion for the environment and biodiversity. As the first female chair of the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation (a Country Needs People partner organisation), and as Manapanami (CEO) and founder at Djalkiri Foundation, Rarrtijiwuy has travelled the country and overseas to meet with politicians and stakeholders. Bilingual and with a Qantas Indigenous Corporate Leadership secondment and various leadership positions including at Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation under her belt, Rarrtijiwuy is an active leader and participant in community affairs.

Country Needs People is a national not-for-profit organisation born from the support of hundreds of Traditional Owners around the country.

We pay our respects to all the First Nations people around Australia and their unbroken commitment to keep Country strong on land and sea. We acknowledge Indigenous partners, Traditional Owners, Elders past, present and emerging and extend our appreciation of their support and guidance of our daily work.

ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE, ABORIGINAL LAND.