Ross children at Tara community, Neutral Junction
Donation protected
Our teaching colleague and talented Kaytetye linguist Kwementyaye Ross B.Ed passed away suddenly on Friday 27 March at Neutral Junction School.
Kwementyaye co-authored many Aboriginal language publications, including the Kaytetye to English Dictionary , and Antarrengeny awely: Alyawarr women's songs from Antarrengeny . She held AIATSIS research grants to work on Kaytetye, resulting in the poster Thangkerne 'Birds that tell people things' and a partner app .
Kwementyaye leaves seven school aged children behind; five at boarding school in Mt St Bernhard College QLD. Kwementyaye’s eldest child Sharona Ross wants to make sure these seven children can complete their education.
We invite you to support them by raising $1000 for each child. While school and boarding fees are covered by external funding, we are raising funds to go towards sport and music tuition, uniforms, competition fees and transport; as well as school bags, books, stationary and personal items.
Kwementyaye’s daughter in Year 12 at Mt St Bernhard College was selected for the school Netball team and competes interstate. Her design is now part of their team’s logo. Such extra curricular opportunities are a vital part of these children’s success in secondary education and were provided by Kwementyaye who believed strongly in the value of education.
We, Margaret Carew and Myfany Turpin, are colleagues and long-time friends of Kwementyaye.
Dr Myfany Turpin is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She is a musicologist and linguist who conducts research on Kaytetye, a language of Central Australia.
Myfany has worked with Kwementyaye since 1995 documenting the Kaytetye language. Over this time she has become close to the extended family and has managed grant monies in collaboration with Kwementyaye. These grants include funds from the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, the Australian Research Council, Endangered Languages Documentation Project, among others. Myfany has also worked with Kwementyaye's family to develop language and music programs at Neutral Junction school and to support the children of Tara to attend boarding school.
Margaret works for the NT Education Department. Margaret has known Kwementyaye through her education work with the Department since 2019, and previously at Batchelor Institute since 1997.
The funds raised in this campaign will be used on sports and music tuition, excursions, uniforms, shoes, competition fees and transport; as well as school bags, books, stationary, school clothes and personal items. The funds for the school children will be sent to Mt Saint Bernhards school and held in trust for each child. This is already set up at the school for all students and families can pay into their account for these kind of expenses.
Some of the funds will also go towards a headstone for the grave which will be at Salty Bore, on her father’s country.
Updated information about the withdrawal and distribution of funds (3 April 2020).
The funds raised through this fundraiser will be transferred to an account in Myfany Turpin’s name and managed on behalf of the family. Distribution will be as follows:
- $5000 into Kwementyaye's parental account at Mt St Bernhards for the boarding school expenses
- $1000 to Kwementyaye's daughter Sharona Ross’s account for educational expenses for the two primary school children in the Ross household.
- $1000 will remain in Turpin’s account until the primary school children commence high school
- The remainder (approximately $1755 depending on additional donations) will go towards the headstone or plaque (estimated cost is between $4000-8000). When that is ready, the funds will be paid directly to the company.
Kwementyaye co-authored many Aboriginal language publications, including the Kaytetye to English Dictionary , and Antarrengeny awely: Alyawarr women's songs from Antarrengeny . She held AIATSIS research grants to work on Kaytetye, resulting in the poster Thangkerne 'Birds that tell people things' and a partner app .
Kwementyaye leaves seven school aged children behind; five at boarding school in Mt St Bernhard College QLD. Kwementyaye’s eldest child Sharona Ross wants to make sure these seven children can complete their education.
We invite you to support them by raising $1000 for each child. While school and boarding fees are covered by external funding, we are raising funds to go towards sport and music tuition, uniforms, competition fees and transport; as well as school bags, books, stationary and personal items.
Kwementyaye’s daughter in Year 12 at Mt St Bernhard College was selected for the school Netball team and competes interstate. Her design is now part of their team’s logo. Such extra curricular opportunities are a vital part of these children’s success in secondary education and were provided by Kwementyaye who believed strongly in the value of education.
We, Margaret Carew and Myfany Turpin, are colleagues and long-time friends of Kwementyaye.
Dr Myfany Turpin is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She is a musicologist and linguist who conducts research on Kaytetye, a language of Central Australia.
Myfany has worked with Kwementyaye since 1995 documenting the Kaytetye language. Over this time she has become close to the extended family and has managed grant monies in collaboration with Kwementyaye. These grants include funds from the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, the Australian Research Council, Endangered Languages Documentation Project, among others. Myfany has also worked with Kwementyaye's family to develop language and music programs at Neutral Junction school and to support the children of Tara to attend boarding school.
Margaret works for the NT Education Department. Margaret has known Kwementyaye through her education work with the Department since 2019, and previously at Batchelor Institute since 1997.
The funds raised in this campaign will be used on sports and music tuition, excursions, uniforms, shoes, competition fees and transport; as well as school bags, books, stationary, school clothes and personal items. The funds for the school children will be sent to Mt Saint Bernhards school and held in trust for each child. This is already set up at the school for all students and families can pay into their account for these kind of expenses.
Some of the funds will also go towards a headstone for the grave which will be at Salty Bore, on her father’s country.
Updated information about the withdrawal and distribution of funds (3 April 2020).
The funds raised through this fundraiser will be transferred to an account in Myfany Turpin’s name and managed on behalf of the family. Distribution will be as follows:
- $5000 into Kwementyaye's parental account at Mt St Bernhards for the boarding school expenses
- $1000 to Kwementyaye's daughter Sharona Ross’s account for educational expenses for the two primary school children in the Ross household.
- $1000 will remain in Turpin’s account until the primary school children commence high school
- The remainder (approximately $1755 depending on additional donations) will go towards the headstone or plaque (estimated cost is between $4000-8000). When that is ready, the funds will be paid directly to the company.
Organizer and beneficiary
Margaret Carew
Organizer
White Gums NT
Myfany Turpin
Beneficiary
