Bajirru! there you all are, hello! From the Yanyuwa language of Balarinji’s origin community Borroloola NT

Jinangu awara wabarrangu barra kalu-wingka marnijinju wabudala kari-nguthundawabarrangu jinangu Australia li-wulu marnaji barra liyi-Yanyuwawu awara li-Marranbala li-Arrwangala li-Gudanji jinangu awara Burrulula marnaji yamulhu

Our Country we belong to is Borroloola. Yanyuwa, Marra, Gudanji and Garrawa people.We welcome everyone to this land Australia.

Yanyuwa elder Samuel Evans Jamika

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. are respectfully advised this website contains references, artworks and images of people who have passed

Our services

Cultural Design Principles

Our Cultural Design Principles methodology is a cultural design toolkit that translates local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and narratives for major project design teams.

The toolkit is an authentic response to Place and Country informed by Balarinji’s best practice experience, in co-design with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders, storytellers and creative practitioners.

Our Cultural Design Principles equip design teams to interpret the knowledge, spirituality, protocols, history, culture and contemporary stories of Australia’s foundational narrative.

We support design teams end to end across the project cycle with standalone use of Cultural Design Principles or in conjunction with Balarinji Connecting with Country Frameworks.

Balarinji Cultural Design Principles have been implemented within some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, including the M12 Motorway Cultural Design Principles, Sydney Metro West and more.

Balarinji’s methodology ensures richer placemaking by deeply embedding and celebrating Australia’s 60,000+ year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Our Methodology Framework

Culturally appropriate engagement

We engage authentically and collaboratively with community-endorsed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. Our proven workshop methodology facilitates local elders, knowledge holders and creative professionals to articulate and interpret a site’s authentic foundational narrative, protocols and principles. This informs an interpretation strategy in true co-design.

Complementary value for clients and communities

We undertake assurance mapping throughout projects to optimise commitment and support between all parties. We build local community capacity by fostering and mentoring local art practice, and by growing partnerships with established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander architects and designers.

Quality research and reporting

We deliver extensive peer-reviewed and community-collaborated knowledge of local story, language, ethnography, social circumstance and politics.

"Balarinji’s community engagement and consultation process ensures that all community have a voice, are included in the journey and respected when it comes to sharing Aboriginal artwork stories and designs.”

Angela Webb, Former Manager, Aboriginal Engagement, Transport for NSW