David Crew

Home » Attendees » David Crew

David Crew

Manager –
Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre Aboriginal Corporation

Leader Biography

My name is David Crew and I live and work on Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Country.  I am married to Jeanette Crew OAM who is a senior traditional owner and knowledge holder connected to Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba Countries.

I have trained as an archaeologist and have been connected to my wife’s family  for over 40 years.   In 2001 we began a new process in Deniliquin to build research and critical thinking skills in our local community.  This was developed to build an understanding of local history and the connections between local families.  This led to Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre being incorporated in 2003.

In 2007, we began using Asset Based Community Development processes and in 2012 began a research project investigating the impact of 50 years of government policy on our local Aboriginal families.

Now in 2026 Yarkuwa works in environmental projects including the Murray Darling Basin Indigenous River Rangers and Indigenous Junior Rangers. Local language,  arts and cultural development projects and community safety and development work with a strong focus on youth.

Yarkuwa has built its work on partnership principles and we continue to explore ‘what might be’ ‘what could be ‘ and what can be’. Moving into its permanent location in 2022 we also now focus on the Centre being a destination for cultural knowledge and understanding.

Community Economic Work

Over the past 20+ years Yarkuwa has invested more than $20m into the local economy providing more than 100 employment opportunities. Yarkuwa currently employs 16 people across all its work areas and continues to explore new opportunities for the local community. Areas of development include Indigenous agriculture, cultural tourism and education and enterprise development. Partnership work includes being a member of the Southern Riverina Community Foundation, the Deniliquin Youth Initiative, Murray Landcare Collective and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to Edward river Council
David-Crew.jpeg