our board
Wanyubi Marika
Chairperson
(Elected Chairperson November 2023)
Wanyubi Marika is a senior leader of the Rirratjingu clan.
Wanyubi played an integral role in establishing RAC’s business and investment activities designed to create wealth and promote opportunity for the region. Wanyubi has been recognised as an artist of national significance, working mostly in bark painting, larrakitj and wood carving, and has delivered exhibitions across the nation.
Makungun Brendan Marika
Deputy Chairperson
(Elected in December 2024)
Brendan Marika is a Rirratjingu man from Yirrkala, East Arnhem. He is Deputy Chair of Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation and a council member for the Northern Land Council, representing Blue Mud Bay – Outstations since 2023. Brendan also serves as a Director on the Board of the Aboriginal Investment Group, offering insights into life in remote communities.
Mandaka Marika
Director
Mandaka Marika, a senior member of the Rirratjingu clan and son of the late Dadaynga ‘Roy’ Marika, is actively involved across RAC subsidiary corporations. He completed a Land Management course and worked at Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation for 30 years, rising from ranger in 1993 to Managing Director. Mandaka served as Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation’s Chairperson from July 2023 to November 2023.
Guruminbuy Marika
Director
Guruminbuy Marika, a respected ceremonial leader of the Rirratjingu Clan, holds sacred knowledge passed down to a select few men. He has 10 years of teaching experience on homelands and a Certificate III in Teaching. Before teaching, he worked with YBE and Yirrkala Dhanbul Council in civil works, specialising in earth moving and truck haulage. As an experienced Director, he brings dedication to his governance roles.
Djayminy Marika
Director
Djayminy Marika is an emerging leader of the Rirratjingu people and a Director for the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation. Djayminy has worked with Rio Tinto Gove Operations and divides his time between Yirrkala and Barrkira Homeland. He graduated from the RAC Emerging Leaders Group in 2022, paving the way for the next generation of leaders.
Ishmael Marika
Director
Ishmael completed governance training through RAC’s Emerging Leaders program and was soon elected as a Director. As Creative Director of the Mulka Project at Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala, he leads a team producing works exhibited across Australia and internationally. A musician, filmmaker, and artist, Ishmael’s installations have been shown in major museums throughout Australia. He has received multiple awards, including the 2016 NATSIA Youth Award.
Yalmay Yunupingu
Director
Yalmay was elected as a Director in 2023 and was named the 2024 Senior Australian of the Year for her 40 years of work at Yirrkala Bilingual School. She played a key role in preserving Yolŋu language and culture through bilingual education. Known as the “mother of the school,” Yalmay’s impact on generations of students has been widely recognised, earning her a “Teacher of Excellence” award in 2005 and an Honorary Fellowship at Charles Darwin University.
Djalinda Ulamari
Director
Djalinda Ulamari was first elected to the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation Board in 1984. With a Diploma of Teaching, she spent most of her career in education, working at the Yirrkala Community Education Centre and Yirrkala Homelands School. Djalinda remains passionate about supporting school-aged children, working as a consultant for Learning on Country, Culture College, and Wellbeing at Yirrkala and Homelands Schools.
Denise Fincham
Director & Special Advisor
Denise is a respected business identity in North-East Arnhem Land and a former NT Businesswoman of the Year. She founded and operated Gorrkbuy Industrial Supplies (GIS) until 2008, providing building materials and logistics to Indigenous communities and the Australian Army. Denise served as a Director of TIO for 10 years and was the founding Chairman of the East Arnhem Economic Development Committee. She has been a long-time advocate for Indigenous business development in NT. With a 40-year association with the Rirratjingu people, Denise played a key role in their business and community growth.
Danny Keep
Special Advisor
Danny has worked with Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation since 2014. He is the Managing Director of Business & Community Pty Ltd, a national consultancy company. With 30 years of experience in corporate leadership, he focuses on strengthening the management and governance of Indigenous corporations and businesses across Australia. He is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Centennial Medal and has received numerous other national awards.
Adrian Rota
Corporate Secretary
Adrian has been associated with RAC and East Arnhem for 28 years. After moving to the NT in 1996, he provided accounting and management support to Maningrida and Elcho Island councils, focusing on audits and rebuilding troubled organisations. He later became senior manager at Yirrkala Dhanbul Council until the 2008 Shire amalgamation. Adrian played a key role in establishing Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation and other entities within the Bunuwal Group. Recently, he has provided company secretarial services to RAC and its subsidiaries.
Rhian Oliver
Chief Executive Officer
Rhian is an experienced finance and operations professional. He has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation (RAC) since 2021, working closely with the RAC Board of Directors to steer their community towards a positive future. Rhian is dedicated to empowering the Yolŋu people through both commercial ventures and culturally significant social programs.
