Magnolia Maymuru,

Model and actress

“It has been beautifully overwhelming,” reflects Maminydjama (Magnolia) Maymuru, the actress, model and Yolngu woman of the response to her monumental September cover for Vogue Australia this year. As the fourth First Nations woman to front Vogue, the power-punch of visibility, albeit overdue, is hitting the almost 25-year-old. “The reaction I’ve been getting has opened my eyes to how many people I inspire and represent.” She knows steps like these will have an impact on the world her daughter, Djarraran (Tili), born this year, is entering and it has added a layer to her work as a model. “I have bigger responsibilities now not only as a Yolngu woman but as a Yolngu mother,” she says. “I just hope I teach Tili to be the best human being for this world.”

Originally turning down an offer to model to finish her studies, her star has been rising since becoming a Miss World Australia finalist in 2016, and then winning the AACTA award for best supporting actress in 2019’s The Nightingale. All of this, however, never gets in the way of her deep-rooted connection to Country in Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land, also known as sunrise country. As for her family’s thoughts on their Magnolia fronting Vogue? “Everyone loved it and is waiting for more …”

Hope for 2022: Maymuru wants to teach her daughter about her culture along with the people who see her modelling work: “I hope that they understand how much we really appreciate any acknowledgment to our different cultures, languages and land because it has been a very long time since we’ve had any real recognition.” AB