Toggle search
A person wearing a hat and blue shirt walks through the bush holding water testing equipment

Ecologist’s love of insects grew from her childhood in Darwin and Tiwi Islands 

During National Science Week (11-18 August), Melbourne Water is spotlighting Kinjia Munkara-Murray, a 27-year-old aquatic ecologist and proud Tiwi and Rambarrnga woman. 

Ms Munkara-Murray, who started working at Melbourne Water as a Traditional Owner Partnerships Officer this year, developed a passion for science after growing up exploring the lush tropical environment of Garramilla (Darwin). 

“My love of insects, science and nature came from my Tiwi and Rambarrnga culture, particularly from my mother and grandmother, who were my first science teachers,” said Ms Munkara-Murray.  

A smiling woman with long brown hair standing in front of bushes
Kinjia Munkara-Murray is a proud Tiwi and Rambarrnga woman working at Melbourne Water

Ms Munkara-Murray studied a Master of Bioscience on insect biodiversity on the Tiwi Islands and has studied the health of waterways around Victoria by monitoring aquatic ‘macroinvertebrates’, such as insects and crustaceans.    

"Testing water in a lab is just one way to see if a waterway is healthy,” she says.

“Looking at what’s living in our rivers and creeks is often the best way to gauge the health of the river. Macroinvertebrates are just one bioindicator of waterway health.”  

Kinjia’s passion for combining Western and Indigenous knowledge informs her role as a Traditional Owner Partnerships Officer at Melbourne Water.  

“I am passionate about using Western and Indigenous knowledge to share information about how special the Tiwi Islands are, and I also want to be a role model for other young people to pursue a career in science.”  

“After finishing university, I spent lots of time outdoors in nature as well as in a laboratory by working as an aquatic ecologist”  

“I’ve been able to do field visits to waterways around Melbourne and collect macroinvertebrate samples, looking at bugs under a microscope, and then comparing the bugs to what we expect to find in a healthy waterway.”   

Reflecting on her path in science, Ms Munkara-Murray says that having First Nations community members represented in STEM roles encourages the future generation of Indigenous scientists.  

“Being a scientist can look like many different things. I've learnt that it's okay to change your mind about what you want to study. I started studying for a Bachelor of Arts, decided that wasn't for me, and then transferred to studying Science. And absolutely loved it!”  

Kinjia will be a panellist at a Melbourne Water Careers in STEM virtual careers expo.  

Melbourne Water is hosting a range of online and in-person science activities during National Science Week (11-18 August), including: