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Where is all the work?
Home Where is all the work?
18 April 2025
4 minute read

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, through its Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL), is proud to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Eastern Arrernte Elder and language champion Veronica Perrurle Dobson AM with the launch of a new website, www.veronicadobson.au. Titled Arne ingkerreke apurtelhe-ileme (Gathering all the things together), the website was celebrated at a special CALL Morning Tea event in Alice Springs, honouring Veronica’s lifelong contributions to Arrernte language, culture, and education.

Honouring a Language Champion’s Legacy

Veronica Perrurle Dobson, an accomplished linguist, educator, and ecologist, has devoted decades to preserving the Arrernte language. She co-authored the Eastern and Central Arrernte to English Dictionary and developed educational resources for schools, sharing her deep knowledge of Arrernte lands, bush foods, and medicines. At 80, Veronica continues to inspire new generations of Indigenous Australians, and the new website serves as a central hub for her extensive work, making it accessible to communities, educators, and researchers worldwide.

Reflecting on the launch, Veronica shared in a video message: “And it’s good to see all my work in one place. A big thank you to Jenny and Ben, also Angie and Camille, for bringing that information all together. For your contribution to the website, thank you so much.”

A Collaborative Effort Sparked by a Simple Question

The website project began when Veronica asked a pivotal question: “Where is all the work?” This question, reflecting her desire to see her decades of contributions consolidated, spurred the CALL team into action. The resulting website,

www.veronicadobson.au, answers her query by gathering her work into one accessible place, ensuring her legacy endures.

The website is the result of a collaboration between LdaCA (Language Data Commons of Australia), Batchelor Institute CALL and the Dobson family. The launch was marked by a special CALL Morning Tea event, held on the first Wednesday of each month to bring people together to discuss language. “Werte, welcome to the Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics Morning Tea,” said Camille Dobson, Veronica’s daughter and Senior Project Officer with CALL, during her speech.

“Today we have a very special morning tea—we are here to celebrate the life and work of a very accomplished language champion. Over the past year, I was privileged to work with Ben Foley, Jenny Green, and Ange Harrison on this project, which places the Indigenous Australian knowledge holder at the centre of the collection. It is an important collection and now means that her amazing work can be found in one place. I knew my Mum, Veronica Perrurle Dobson, had contributed much to the language that she loves, but until I worked on this project, I really didn’t understand just how much—and there is more to come. Still working at 80, Mum is an inspiration to our family. I hope others will also be inspired by her passion, dedication, and story, which is now available on the website.”

Jenny Green, a linguist and academic who has worked with Veronica for many years, contributed to the project and shared her insights: “G’day, it’s Jenny Green here in Melbourne. The project started when Veronica asked the question ‘where is all that work I did over the years,’ so our team got together to help answer that question. The website is like a guide to all that work that Veronica has done, and it shows some beautiful examples as well. We think the project raises the importance of making sure things are archived appropriately and that archives are accessible.”

Preserving Arrernte Language and Culture for Future Generations

The launch of www.veronicadobson.au marks a significant milestone in preserving Arrernte language and culture, ensuring Veronica’s legacy continues to educate and inspire. Visitors to the website can explore her contributions to language preservation, botany, and cultural education, reflecting her deep connection to Arrernte Country. This project underscores the importance of accessible archives, making Indigenous Australian knowledge available to all while honouring its cultural significance.

Batchelor Institute’s Commitment to Indigenous Education

Located in Batchelor, Northern Territory, on Kungarakan and Warai country, Batchelor Institute (RTO No: 0383), and with campuses in Darwin and Alice Springs on Arrernte country, Batchelor is a leader in Indigenous tertiary education. We deliver culturally grounded programmes across the NT, acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we operate and paying respects to their Elders past, present, and future.

This website launch highlights Batchelor’s ongoing dedication to empowering Indigenous Australians through education and cultural preservation, ensuring the stories and knowledge of Elders like Veronica Perrurle Dobson endure.

Learn more about our language preservation efforts and programmes at batchelor.edu.au.