Professor Julie Andrews is connected to the famous Cummeragunja Aboriginal reserve situated along the Murray River on the border of New South Wales and Victoria and descended from the Yorta Yorta; Wiradjuri and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung peoples. Professor Andrews has a PhD in anthropology, is a teaching and research academic; and developed the award winning On Country subject titled Encountering Aboriginal Victoria – Parallel Systems of Knowledge at Shepparton (La Trobe University) that combines Aboriginal knowledges and academic learning.
Professor Andrews is Director of La Trobe University’s Gabra Biik Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre (Clever Country, Clever People). She is acknowledged by her peers and Indigenous community as a leading Aboriginal Victorian scholar. Professor Andrews gave evidence for the Yoorrook Justice Truth Telling Commission in 2024.Her political awakening began at home with her large Aboriginal family who contributed to the development of many Aboriginal organisations in Melbourne and Shepparton and Townsville. Professor Andrews attended the Black Community School in Townsville in the 1970s with Eddie and Bonita Mabo (AO).