Monica Timaepatua is one of the Elders on Bathurst Island. She was educated by the nuns stationed there. When she was thirteen, her parents placed her in the convent dormitory. During World War Two, the Nuns left the school and Timaepatua went and hid inland with her family. The Japanese fired upon their village on their way to bomb Darwin. It was during this time she met her future husband Bonaventure Timaepatua (Tiwi name: Wangintawujmirri).
Timaepatua is strongly involved with her people, is highly respected amongst her community, and is proud of her seven living children, three of whom are qualified teachers working within the community.
