Uncle Bob honoured as a trailblazer, bringing together scientists and Traditional Owners

AIMS Indigenous Partnerships Coordinator Uncle Bob Muir has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of James Cook University for "his eminent contributions to marine science and the field of valuing and incorporating Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous perspectives in marine stewardship, nationally and internationally".

Uncle Bob Muir is an Elder and Traditional Owner of Woppaburra Country (on the Keppel Islands), in the southern Great Barrier Reef.  

Growing up in Mackay, he said he had no idea of his cultural heritage until, as an adult, he was contacted by a relative involved in a family reunion on Great Keppel Island (Woppa).

In 1993—fired up by the discovery that he was of the Woppaburra people, removed from their land in 1902—he and his brother Brian captured national attention when they raised the Aboriginal flag in front of the Keppel Island resort.  

They were claiming all the Unallocated State Land on Woppa for the Woppaburra people.

It was a bold move to draw attention to Woppaburra rights and sovereignty, at a time when the Australian national consciousness was waking up to the issue of Indigenous land rights.

It changed the direction of Uncle Bob’s life from working in fishing, sailing and construction to representing his people in politics and on government boards and committees.  

“By looking into my past, it gave me a future,” he said.  

Through the Queensland Aboriginal Land Act, in 2007, 174ha of land on Woppa was formally returned to the Woppaburra people.  

Caring for Country

For two years Uncle Bob worked as a marine park ranger, in Keppel Bay and Shoalwater Bay, looking after Woppaburra and neighbouring Darumbal Country.  

He built his knowledge of his people and Country with the help of a State archaeologist and the diligent research of his parents at John Oxley Library.

“I was also working at the environmental education school, talking to groups from preschool to university, as well as tourists,” he said.  

Indigenous partnerships

He joined AIMS more than five years ago through the Woppaburra Coral Project. Undertaken in partnership with the Woppaburra people, it investigated coral reef restoration strategies in reefs around the Keppel Islands.

Beyond its scientific aims, the project embedded partnership activities designed to foster mutual respect, cultural exchange, and long-term impact.

A recent analysis in collaboration with Social Ventures Australia found the project set a new benchmark for collaboration between government agencies and Traditional Owners, creating significant social, economic and cultural value.

“It was really empowering for both the scientists and our people,” Uncle Bob said.

“We started with the business of truth-telling; sitting in front of a few of our elders saying that AIMS has been here for 50 years and this is the first time we've come to speak to you.

“It was a bit of a shock to begin with, but from there the relationship grew to something that is really solid today.

“We had elders there that can be stubborn and tough, but they really embraced the AIMS researchers. They now have their complete trust.”

Uncle Bob and the other members of the AIMS Indigenous Partnerships team facilitate genuine partnerships between AIMS scientists and Traditional Owners.

“Over my five years with AIMS, the team has grown to more than 16 First Nations members,” he said.  

“I am now referred to as the AIMS Elder in the Indigenous Partnerships Team, and with my permission, I’m addressed as Uncle Bob by all of AIMS.

“Everyone in the team has different skills. Together, we deliver positive impacts for Australian Traditional Owners and demonstrate how to successfully weave together Traditional Owners’ Knowledge and Westen Science to achieve greater outcomes for all involved.

“What we're producing is world leading, and we’re still learning as we go.”

Uncle Bob said the team was often called upon to speak about AIMS’ approach to Indigenous engagement and how AIMS applies Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.  

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent is a distinct right afforded to First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, consistent with their fundamental and inherent right to self-determination.  

Uncle Bob said he appreciated being involved in AIMS research and academic papers.

“AIMS is empowering Traditional Owners and First Nations people,” he said. “And not only in Australia, we're also a great example for the Pacific and other places in the world.”

The James Cook University honour

The James Cook University citation said Uncle Bob was widely regarded across multiple knowledge systems—including western science academia—for his generosity, integrity and deep cultural authority:

“Uncle Bob has been central to the Woppaburra people’s journey toward Native Title recognition, return to Country and intergenerational healing. He led the establishment of a co-management arrangement with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority that created new research partnerships with AIMS and JCU and enabled the formation of an Indigenous ranger program supporting young Woppaburra people to reconnect with their heritage and care for their land and sea.”  

Uncle Bob said the James Cook University award was a great honour and acknowledgement of his journey looking after Country and his penchant for seizing opportunities, guided by his ancestors.

“I appreciate being an honorary doctor, but I have another title, and that's Uncle,” he said.