Galamarrma

Explore

Explore the Northern Territory Education Mob Digital Keeping Place and:

• Find out more about the variety of education contexts and programs in the NT
• Read reports about these programs
• Learn about the history of remote and bilingual education
• Listen to or read the stories of past and present educators
• Understand more about the community you live and work in
• Find material to use in your classroom
• Discover material in language
• Find material about your family and community

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Books in Gupapuyŋu from Milingimbi.  Photographer Tony Thorpe (dec.)

Background

The Galamarrma has its origins in a collaboration  between the Northern Territory Department of Education & Training, Batchelor Institute and Library & Archives  NT to celebrate the 60th Anniversary in 2013 of the appointment of the first five Assistant Teachers to work in remote communities in the Northern Territory.  

The Digital Keeping Place was hosted by Library & Archives NT until 2021 when responsibility transferred to the Northern Territory Education Mob.  

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Celebration to mark the 60th Anniversary of Assistant Teachers in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and launch of the Northern Territory Education Mob Digital Keeping Place at Northern Territory Library.  Photograph Sue Reaburn.

Created by a group of current and former educators and information workers (our Volunteers) Galamarrma recognises and celebrates the important role Aboriginal and other educators play as role models and leaders in their own and in the wider education of the Northern Territory community. For the children in their community, the Aboriginal Educators are the constant and familiar faces.

Galamarrma brings together multiple resources, some with competing and conflicting perspectives. As such, it is a living archive and belongs to all those involved in the education of Aboriginal Territorians.

From small things big things grow - Galamarrma has grown to a large significant collection of photographs, documents, movies and sound recordings.  Thanks to the support of our wonderful volunteers, generosity of former educators to trust us with their collections, collaborators and partners Galamarrma continues to grow.  

Instructional Videos

For tips on using the Galamarrma see the Instructional Videos in the Resources menu

Galamarrma - the name 

Banyan trees (Ficus virens) are important in Northern Australia. They are large, striking trees that for Aboriginal people represent connection, old knowledge and strength. They have long been places to meet, gather and spiritually connect past, present and future generations. They also provide food and medicine. Unlike many trees, their roots do not start underground. Instead, the roots grow down from the tree’s wide, spreading branches. When the roots reach the ground, they become thick, woody supports. Over time, this helps one tree spread across a large area, almost as if it is slowly moving through the landscape.

Larrakia have been custodians of the banyan tree Galamarrma (Tree of Knowledge) for thousands of years. Before the new settlers came in 1869, it was thought to be part of a rainforest and an important source of food and shade, a ceremonial and gathering place, and a provider of essential materials such as bark for string, baskets and fishing lines.

Galamarrma is located at the southern end of Cavenagh Street on the site of what is now the Darwin City Council Civic Centre. The tree was heritage listed in 1994. The Terminus Hotel was built nearby and being close to the wharf and the end of the railway line, Galamarrma was a meeting place, a trading spot for Chinese hawkers, a postal address, a community notice board and a site for union rallies. 

Galamarrma has stood strong, defiant and resilient. It has survived the 1897 cyclone, the 1937 cyclone, the bombing of Darwin, Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and Cyclone Marcus in 2018.

As Galamarmma’s roots tap into water and the tree grows, our digital keeping place taps into the knowledge and interconnections of generations represented by waterholes in our logo.

Much of the work of the Northern Territory Education Mob happens in Darwin. Permission for the Northern Territory Education Mob to use Galamarra as a metaphor name for our Digital Keeping Place was given by Larrakeyah Cultural and Community Leader Lynette Fejo in July 2026.

Thank you to those who make the Digital Keeping Place possible:

Image	Library & Archives NT	Provides guidance, access to digitisation equipment, space and collections.
Image	Keeping Culture	Hosts and supports our Digital Keeping Place software
Image	Our  Volunteers Donors Partners and Collaborators	Grow the Digital Keeping Place