Iris White

Iris White was born in Bega in 1954. She is a highly respected Elder, community leader, and cultural custodian of the Yuin Nation; her heritage includes Ngarigo, Monaro, and Walbunja ancestry. As Chair of the Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) National Park Board of Management, she has played a pivotal role in the co-management of Gulaga and Biamanga national parks, which were handed back to the Yuin people in 2006 under a joint management agreement.

Born and raised in the shadow of Gulaga, Iris has spoken of the mountain with heartfelt reverence: “I am in even more awe of Gulaga than when I was a child … we all need to look out for Gulaga in the same way she has looked out for her children.” Her leadership was integral to the development and adoption (in 2014) of the Yuin Bangguri (Mountain) Parks Plan of Management, which guides how these sacred lands are cared for by both Yuin Traditional Owners and government.

Iris White is a passionate advocate for cultural and language revival. She has supported the revitalisation of the Dhurga language, working alongside community and educational institutions. She also contributes to the Djinama Yilaga Choir, which performs traditional songs in Dhurga.

In broader community engagement, she has spoken out for heritage protection. As a Ngarigo-Yuin Elder, she raised concerns about development on Ancestral lands, notably calling for due diligence in archaeological assessment especially around a Ngarigo cemetery.

Over many decades, Iris White’s commitment to Yuin culture and language and her advocacy have helped to rebuild Yuin sovereignty, nurture cultural resilience, and strengthen intergenerational bonds across her community.