Dr Raymond Kelly

Dr Raymond Kelly’s life and career reflect a profound dedication to preserving Indigenous culture, language, and heritage. A Dhangatti and Gumbaynggirr speaker, Ray grew up on a mission on the outskirts of Armidale, NSW, where his family spoke their language daily. From a young age, he understood that language was more than words; it was the vessel of culture, identity, and knowledge. This understanding has shaped his lifelong mission to protect, revive, and share Indigenous languages across Australia.

“Language is more than communication; it shapes our past, it ties us to the present, it talks to us about our culture. It helps us connect to the environment around us and helps us tell stories about the country in which we live.” 

For more than four decades, Ray has been a pioneer in Indigenous cultural preservation, combining community advocacy with academic research to create meaningful, lasting impact.

He was instrumental in establishing the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), serving as its inaugural Chairperson. Under his leadership, the Council brought together local communities, government bodies, and researchers to safeguard Aboriginal cultural sites and heritage.

Ray’s work in academia has further cemented his influence. In his previous role as Deputy Head of the Wollotuka Institute of Indigenous Research and Education at the University of Newcastle, he developed digital language resources and analysed historical oral recordings, creating tools that connect First Peoples across NSW.

“Ultimately, language preservation isn’t about perfection, it's about participation. If we listen to each other and communicate with each other, we can do things, and that's the gift of language.” 

In 2015, Ray completed his PhD at the University of Newcastle. His research, Dreaming the Keepara: New South Wales Indigenous Cultural Perspectives, 1808–2007, reflects his deep scholarship in Indigenous languages and establishes him as both a knowledge-holder and a bridge between communities and educational institutions. In 2019, he was invited to address the Australian Senate on First Nations languages, a testament to his national recognition as a cultural leader.

“Language holds the past, it tells us about the present, but it also teaches us about what we can do tomorrow. Whilst I was learning about languages, studying and researching, I was also beginning to heal myself in a number of ways.”  

In 2020, Ray launched the Muuya Barrigi or “Flying Breath” program, an innovative multi-media initiative designed to keep Indigenous languages alive. Delivered online across Australia, it enables students and community members to explore pronunciation, word structures, and sentence use, connecting learners with the richness of Indigenous language in a collaborative, practical way. This initiative blends tradition with innovation, making language learning accessible and engaging for communities far and wide.

“The truth of the matter is, none of this is worth anything unless we are actually communicating with each other. Not just you hearing me, but also me hearing you. And that's the key to the Muuya Barrigi program. The project allows people to engage in language in a really in-depth way.” 

In recognition of his extraordinary dedication to Indigenous culture, Ray was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Newcastle in 2006.

Today, Ray continues his leadership as Chairperson of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council and Councillor for the Sydney/Newcastle region. His expertise is sought in advising on language policy, school programs, and government legislation, ensuring that community voices remain central to decision-making. A member of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and a former Board Member of the NSW Aboriginal Heritage Council, he has dedicated decades to nurturing Indigenous cultural resilience at local, regional, and national levels.

Ray Kelly’s story is one of bridging worlds: community and academia, tradition and innovation, heritage and policy. Through his unwavering commitment, he has preserved languages, empowered communities, and created pathways for Indigenous knowledge to thrive, ensuring that culture, identity, and language are celebrated, protected, and passed on to future generations.