Gay'wu Group of Women is the 'dillybag women's group', a deep collaboration between several Yolngu women and three non-Aboriginal women over a decade. Sisters Laklak Burarrwana, Ritjilili Ganambarr, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Banbapuy Ganambarr are elders in the most influential Aboriginal community in Australia, the Yolngu of northern Arnhem Land. Each is a community leader in her own right: Laklak is a caretaker for the Gumatj clan, founder of the family's successful tourism business Bawaka Cultural Experiences and has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Macquarie University; Merrki is principal of Yirrkala school; Ritjilili works for Miwatj Health and Bawaka Cultural Experiences; Banbapuy is an author, artist, weaver and teacher. Their daughter Djawundil Maymuru has been on the board of Laynapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation and is a key member of Bawaka Cultural Experiences. The sisters have collaborated on a series of cultural and research projects with Associate Professors Kate Lloyd and Sandie Suchet-Pearson from Human Geography at Macquarie University, and Associate Professor Sarah Wright from Geography and Development Studies at the University of Newcastle. They are all co-authors of the book Welcome to My Country.
'If you want to learn about Aboriginal ways of loving and honouring their land, Country and kin, paying careful attention to the wise words contained in this book will be an education you won't forget, for it is potentially transformative.' - Ann McGrath, Aboriginal History