Bluey episodes dubbed in Yolŋu Matha for NAIDOC Week 2026
Consensus Summary
For the first time, five episodes of the globally popular children’s show *Bluey* have been dubbed into Yolŋu Matha, the Indigenous language of North-east Arnhem Land, in a collaboration between the ABC, Ludo Studio, Yolŋu Radio, and ARDS Aboriginal Corporation. The episodes—*The Beach*, *The Creek*, *Sleepytime*, *Grandad*, and *Rug Island*—will premiere on July 5, 2026, during NAIDOC Week, which celebrates 50 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements. Local Yolŋu voices, including Dimathaya Burrawanga as Bandit, Rosie Mununggurr as Chilli, and Andrew Gurruwiwi as Grandad, along with unnamed children voicing Bluey and Bingo, bring the stories to life in the language. The project replaces some English phrases with Yolŋu concepts, such as swapping the 'drop bears' joke for a traditional tale about Ŋamini Baŋ'baŋ', and renaming Bingo’s doll with a Yolŋu 'skin name.' The episodes will also feature at the Garma Festival in August, aiming to preserve and elevate Yolŋu language and culture on a national scale.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Five episodes from *Bluey* (Seasons 1 and 2) have been dubbed into Yolŋu Matha: *The Beach*, *The Creek*, *Sleepytime*, *Grandad*, and *Rug Island*
- The project is part of NAIDOC Week 2026, themed *50 Years of Deadly*, running from July 5 to July 12
- The episodes will premiere on July 5, 2026, and be broadcast/streamed on ABC iview
- Dimathaya Burrawanga (King Stingray) voices Bandit, Rosie Mununggurr voices Chilli, and Andrew Gurruwiwi voices Grandad
- The project was developed in collaboration with Yolŋu Radio, ARDS Aboriginal Corporation, Ludo Studio, and the ABC
- The episodes will also be screened at the 2026 Garma Festival in August
- Yolŋu Matha refers to closely linked languages spoken by clans in North-east Arnhem Land
- The children voicing Bluey and Bingo are local children from North-east Arnhem Land (names withheld for privacy)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Kelly Williams, ABC’s director of First Nations strategy, stated the episodes will 'bring the North-east Arnhem Land language and culture into homes across the country'
- Julia Wormer and Sylvia Nulpinditj (co-CEOs of ARDS) said the project contributes to a future where First Nations languages are 'increasingly heard, celebrated and recognised as a vital part of Australia’s story'
- The show has been translated into 120 languages globally and is available in 140 countries, topping US streaming charts for two years
- The project was initiated to align with Naidoc Week’s theme of 50 Years of Deadly
- Sylvia Nulpinditj (co-director) said the community will 'freak out' for Bluey and Bingo speaking in Yolŋu Matha, calling it 'awesome'
- The recording of the characters took just three weeks, though the project had been in development for years
- The team replaced the 'drop bears' joke with a Yolŋu tale about Ŋamini Baŋ'baŋ' stealing children if they don’t go to bed
- Bingo’s doll in *Sleepytime* (Yakurrmina Walu) is renamed 'Gutjani,' a Yolŋu 'skin name'
- Will Porter (co-director) noted the episodes reflect a 'modern-day Yolŋu household,' blending languages and traditional stories
- Andrew Gurruwiwi is described as a 'respected Elder' and third director of the series
- The ABC’s Kelly Williams emphasized the project aligns with their commitment to 'ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are part of the national conversation'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the show has been translated into 120 languages globally, while the ABC does not mention this specific number but says it is available in over 20 languages (excluding Yolŋu Matha)
- The Guardian mentions the episodes will be 'broadcast and streamed' on July 5, while the ABC specifies they will be available on 'iview' but does not explicitly state a broadcast time
Source Articles
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