Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann London bound

Our Territory treasure secures a seat at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral along with 10 other ‘everyday’ Australians. Read her cheeky plans for the historic farewell.

A remote Territory Elder has traded her colourful skirts for the uniform black when she attends Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral.

Ngan’gityemerri Elder Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann is among the 10 “everyday” Australians hand-picked to attend Queen Elizabeth II in London.

But when asked what she was going to wear to the funeral she answered in her classic jovial nature.

“They told me I got to wear all black,” she said.

“But I’m already black, they won’t be able to see me anymore; just my eyeballs and teeth.”

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann’s was the 2021 Senior Australian of the year and is a renowned Aboriginal artist and educator.

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Senior Australian of the Year speaks at the anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations. Photograph: Che Chorley

She was the first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher in the Northern Territory and is the founder of the Miriam Rose Foundation.

She speaks five local languages along with English and is responsible for establishing the highly successful Merrepen Arts centre in Nauiyu but despite all her accolades, it will be Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann’s first trip to Europe.

She said she deliberated over the idea of going to London, but believed it was an important way to represent herself, her community and all Australians.

“Going over there is personal for me and the community that I come from…and Australia,” she said.

“(The Queen) did come over and visit people here in Australia and in the Territory.”

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann said she believed it would be a good experience and already had grand plans of returning to Europe next year.

“Maybe meet with Pope Francis…they’re looking to see what they can learn from Indigenous cultures and to embrace that knowledge a lot more in the church,” she said.

“But they are only asking me that now…after all these years,” she giggled.

Travelling with Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann will be the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the governor-general, David Hurley, and the acting high commissioner to the UK, Lynette Wood.

In addition there were a number of other big name aussies including Tennis legend Dylan Alcott and Helen Milroy.

The Queen’s funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday 19 September at 11am local time (8pm AEST) Australia.