Yalmay Yunupingu, who has spent her life advocating for bilingual education, is Senior Australian of the Year

Often referred to as the 'mother of school' for her dedication to education for community, Yalmay Yunupingu's lifetime of advocacy has been recognised.

Senior Australian Of The Year Yalmay Yunupiŋu poses for photos after the 2024 Australian of the Year Awards (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

At a community library in North-East Arnhem Land, Yalmay Yunupingu started translating Dr Seuss books into her local Yolŋu-Matha language.

The Yolŋu woman is a qualified teacher, and alongside her late husband, she worked to develop bilingual education for her community in Yirrkala.

It's a project that has empowered young people in their education but also in their culture.

Now, the incredible work that went into it has been recognised.

On Thursday evening, at the National Arboretum in Canberra, Ms Yunupingu was named Senior Australian of the Year for 2024.

Ms Yunupingu described education at the Yirrkala Bilingual School as her "passion and most treasured accomplishment in life".

"I might have retired from school but I haven't stopped wanting to educate people," she said.

An emotional Ms Yunupingu accepts her award from the prime minister. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

Described as gentle, generous and funny, Ms Yunupingu guided teaching at Yirrkala Bilingual School for four decades, retiring in March of 2023.

The teacher and linguist has touched countless lives in her community, earning the unofficial title of "mother of the school".

The 68-year-old has offered support to projects and consultations and since her retirement has been teaching the next generation about traditional healing.

She was named a Teacher of Excellence by the Northern Territory's education department and an honorary fellow at Charles Darwin University.