Nungalinya College

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Nungalinya College Nungalinya College is a combined churches training college for Indigenous Australians. Copyright © 2023 Nungalinya College. All rights reserved.

Nungalinya is a Combined Churches Training College for Indigenous Australians. The College is situated in Casuarina, a northern suburb of Darwin, Australia's gateway city of the North.

'Nungalinya' is an Aboriginal word used by the local Larrakia people, whose land includes the Darwin area. The word refers to Old Man Rock, a reef lying off Casuarina Beach, which can be seen at low tide, that was a place of learning for the young men. The Larrakia people themselves suggested that the College use that name reflecting its identity as a place of learning and also the biblical idea of the “rock” of Christ as the foundation for our lives. We acknowledge the traditional ownership of the Larrakia people over the land on which our campus is built

At Nungalinya College we train men and women for leadership roles in churches and communities, and in exploring the Bible and Christian faith contextually. We train family members to make sense of the wider community and to learn its ways, so as to participate healthily in holistic community life while celebrating and strengthening Indigenous identity. The artwork and media posted by Nungalinya College is encouraged to be on-shared to others. Artwork and media may not be used for personal or commercial use, without proper and prior permission from Nungalinya College. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

This week was the 800th feast day of St Francis of Assisi. Particularly with our Catholic staff and students, we remembe...
09/10/2026

This week was the 800th feast day of St Francis of Assisi.

Particularly with our Catholic staff and students, we remember the example of St Francis.

St Francis was a man who loved God and followed Jesus through a simple life, of prayer, serving others, and caring for all of God’s creation.

Here in the Northern Territory, God’s creation is always close by, it is all around us, and is very beautiful — the land, sky and the waters.

St Francis reminded us of what Jesus shows us, that God loves and cares for what he has made;
And all God’s creation can remind us to give thanks and praise the One who made it.

As Psalm 19:1 reminds us:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

— Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Our recent pre-certificate EAL students studied the life of the Apostle Peter.They focused on major events in Peter's li...
07/10/2026

Our recent pre-certificate EAL students studied the life of the Apostle Peter.
They focused on major events in Peter's life recorded in the Gospels. Jesus called Peter ‘the Rock’ on which he would build his church.
Over the course of their studies, students chose to paint a banner as a visual representation of what they had learned.

Before departing, Maria (left) and Marjorie (right) reflected on their time at Nungalinya during this block."We have bee...
05/10/2026

Before departing, Maria (left) and Marjorie (right) reflected on their time at Nungalinya during this block.

"We have been learning about the story of Esther.
When I came to do this study, it reminded me that God has been working at that peace-making story back then and now.
It’s reminded me that I have already been an Esther and a Mordechai in my own life and in my own community. Mordechai was listening closely to God.
He knew when the right time was to speak, and he knew that the truth could set people free. When there’s a problem in my community. When I am present. I can be like one of those peacemakers” - Marjorie Morton from Ngukurr

“Nungalinya has given me the space and peace to really focus on my studies, as well as resources and knowledge to take with me. Staying here at the accommodation at the college with other students has been really good. When we talk, we talk in a way that we understand each other” - Maria Johnston from Tamworth

Verse of the Week - as told by Karina Penhall in her painting titled 'Woman at the Well'John 4:10 Jesus answered, “You d...
05/10/2026

Verse of the Week - as told by Karina Penhall in her painting titled 'Woman at the Well'

John 4:10 Jesus answered, “You don't know what God wants to give you, and you don't know who is asking you for a drink. If you did, you would ask me for the water that gives life.”

Johnku 4:10 Pitjantjatjara
Ka Jesulu wangkangu, “Nyuntu ngurpa Mama Godalu nyuntunya ungkunytjitjaku munun puṯu kulini, nganalunta wanyu ngatjini minaku. Palu nyuntu ninti ngaṟalampa ngayula ngatjila, kaṉanta mina kutjupa ungkuku kurunpa wankalpai.”

Title: Woman at the Well
Karina Penhall
Language: Pitjantjatjara
Community: Alice Springs
Original Size: 38 x 59cm
Year: 2025

This painting is available on our website artsnungalinya.com.au
Item code: KPOP25089

Our latest Cert II students designed and created a banner that looked at the whole Bible story through the lens of peace...
02/10/2026

Our latest Cert II students designed and created a banner that looked at the whole Bible story through the lens of peace.

The course focussed on eight stages in God's plan for peace. These included creation, the fall, his promises to Abraham, and their fulfilment in Jesus, as well as looking forward to the hope of peace forever with God.

The banner was taken back to community where it will be used in church and for the wider community as a resource.

Last week, two of our graduates and chaplains at Nungalinya were ordained by the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territ...
29/09/2026

Last week, two of our graduates and chaplains at Nungalinya were ordained by the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory.

What wonderful examples of remote Aboriginal Christians being trained and taking on leadership roles in their churches. We are proud to have been a part of their journeys and thank God for the many students he is bringing to Nungalinya to be equipped to serve in their communities.

On Tuesday the 22nd Craig Rogers was ordained as priest at Ngukurr, and on Wednesday the 23rd Sandra John was ordained deacon at Urapunga.
We thank God for Sandra and Craig's heart for him, and we pray he continues to bless their future ministry.

It was great to be able to host Catholic community leaders at the college last week as a part of the Catholic Diocese of...
28/09/2026

It was great to be able to host Catholic community leaders at the college last week as a part of the Catholic Diocese of Darwin’s annual Aboriginal Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Over three days, leaders from communities across the Northern Territory gathered for fellowship and sharing.

We hope the time was encouraging and your travel home was safe.

28/09/2026

Verse of the Week - as told by Nungalinya student Bessie Moore in her painting titled 'Jesus picture story about the farmer throwing that seed '

Luke 8: 5-8
5 Imbin tok, “Wantaim wan men bin go blanga plentimbat sid, en imbin tjakam detlot sid ebriweya, en sambala sid bin buldan langa roud weya ola pipul bin pudumbut en ola bard bin dagat. 6 En sambala sid bin buldan langa stoniwan pleis, en wen detlot sid bin gro, deibin draiyap, dumaji dei nomo bin abum eni woda langa det stoniwan graun. 7 En sambala sid bin buldan insaid langa ola jigiwan gras, en wen deibin gro, detlot jigiwan gras bin jugum olabat. 8 En sambala sid bin buldan langa gudwan graun, en deibin gro gudwei, en deibin abum loda daga.”
Lagijat na Jisas bin dalim det stori, en wen imbin binij, imbin tok, “Yumob hubin irrim dijan stori, yumob garra jinggabat na.”

Title: Jesus picture story about the farmer throwing that seed.
Bessie Moore
Language: Kriol
Community: Urapunga
Acrylic on canvas
Size: 29 x 40cm
2026

This painting is available on our website artnungalinya.edu.au
Item code: BMOP26133

23/09/2026

While the college is a bit quieter for a few weeks without students, we have had some other visitors.
The first Magpie Geese have arrived back at Nungalinya College, the season is changing, and dry season is coming to an end.

“Think about the birds. They don’t put seeds into the ground to grow a garden, to get their food from it. And they don’t build sheds to keep their food in. But God, your father, gives them food anyway. And you are much more special to God than birds, so you can trust him to give you the food you need”.
Matthew 6:24 (Plain English Version)

Address

Cnr Dripstone Road And Goodman St
Darwin, NT
0810

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+61889207500

Website

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