Muriel Wymarra is a Torres Strait Islander with a bloodline to Mululigal and Meriam Nations, born and raised in Gimuy-Walubarra Yidi lands. She has cultural connections throughout the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula.

 

Muriel has over twenty-five years of experience working in Queensland and Australian Government administration industries and not-for-profit organisations. Muriel’s work has seen her travel extensively throughout Cape York and Torres Strait, building close relationships with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.   She has held positions in middle-level management and frontline customer operations. During this time, Muriel has mentored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and apprentices and facilitated workplace training and professional development workshops.

 

Muriel is a qualified Social Worker, obtaining her Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from James Cook University. She is currently undertaking her Doctor of Philosophy at Central Queensland University, focusing her research on understanding the concept of professional helping in Torres Strait culture. Muriel is a Jilbay Research Higher Degree Academy member in the Office of Indigenous Engagement at Central Queensland University.  She also provides her knowledge as a casual academic at James Cook University.

 

Muriel is an experienced counsellor, with ten years of experience working in private practice. She uses a yarning approach to connect with individuals to share their stories in a culturally safe and supportive space.

 

Muriel’s interests lie in crochet and has seen her covert her hobby into therapy-based groups for women and a foray into marketing crotchet products for the public.   Muriel’s focus is to help improve the health and social well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to bring her skills and expertise to benefit people seeking her assistance.