Biography
Mundara was born in 1952 in the Eora (Sydney) NSW area and is descendant of the Gamilaroi people. Mundara’s grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother was all born in the Barwon River, Brewarrina area.
In 1992 Mundara owned and operated ‘Jay’s Auto Stables’ and was recognized as one of the best spray painters in the vehicle industry. Due to illness he had to close the business and hence began his education. His first introduction to education began with a short security license course at Naamoro in Sydney where he also ran panel beating and spray courses for young Indigenous men. Shortly afterwards Mundara completed a media course at Naamoro and won a scholarship to the Center of Photography, to undertake a course in black-and-white photography. In 1993 Mundara completed a CABE course at the Eora College in Chippendale, Sydney, a CGE course in 1994 and a Fine Arts Course in 1995. In 1995 he won the Faculty Award for Aboriginal studies, being the first Indigenous person to do so as well as the Qantas Encouragement Award at the AJC.
In 1996 Mundara began his Bachelors Degree in Adult Education which he completed in 1998 at the University of Technology in Sydney. Mundara was chosen in 1998 to represent the University at the International First Nations Indigenous Youth Education Conference in Wellington, New Zealand. He went on to become a founding member of its alumni organization. Mundara also taught several TAFE classes during that year.
In 1999 Mundara began a Masters Degree, discovering after one year that he was an insulin-dependent diabetic. He took 2000 off to recover and returned to the University of Technology in 2001 to restart from the beginning a Masters Degree in Indigenous Social Policy, which he has completed. Mundara is on sabbatical from a Doctorate of Education.
Mundara is the Managing Director of the House of Koorang Pty Ltd, a wholly owned and operated Indigenous art and design wholesale and manufacturing Company, the largest Aboriginal owned wholesale and manufacturing company. He was also a director of NIAAA at the request of the Late Dr Charles Perkins. The first product in the market place to contain the ‘Label of Authenticity’ was Mundara’s.
He taught literacy & numeracy, science, cultural studies, legislation, art & drawing and history at TAFE and outreach schools. Mundara is currently the only known male Aboriginal educator in a correctional facility, where he teaches literacy & numeracy and cultural studies.
The 'Indigenous Cultural Protocol Request Form' was created by Mundara for all Indigenous organisations and communities to use when approached for photographs,items,interviews,dance,songs and images.
Read more about this topic: Mundara Koorang
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