In the language of the Awabakal people, Umulliko means
"to create, to make, to do"

The Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education Research Centre at the University of Newcastle has made significant inroads to improving Indigenous research and research bases since it was established under a Commonwealth grant from the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs in December 1996. The Wollotuka Centre at the University was instrumental in obtaining this grant. An external review of the University's Aboriginal Education and Research Training programs was conducted in 1999 and amongst its recommendations was that the operations of Wollotuka and Umulliko should be merged. During recent years there has been a significant period of consolidation and growth for Umulliko. Its research base has expanded as new researchers became associated with the Centre, either as members of staff or as research students. Increasing success in competitive tender processes has led to subsequent increases to external research grant earnings from the Australian Research Council, local government, foundations and Indigenous communities