Barunga

Barunga is in the Nyirranggulung Ward and is located 80 kilometres south-east of Katherine on the Central Arnhem Road. Barunga may also be called Bamyili. 

Barunga is home to the Barunga Festival, a much-loved Territory festival that attracts more than 4000 people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike – who celebrate together in the small community. 

At the 1988 event, the Barunga Statement, which requested a treaty between the Australian federal government and Indigenous Australians, was presented to then prime minister Bob Hawke. 

In June 1991 Australian Aboriginal band, Yothu Yindi, wrote and released the hit song "Treaty" to commemorate the Statement. Lead singer Mandawuy Yunupingu, with his older brother Galarrwuy, wanted to highlight the lack of progress on the treaty between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government. 

For more information, visit Barunga | Roper Gulf Regional Council.