hj1358-ngaanyatjarracouncil-website

��ɫ��ҹ Council appoints new General Manager - Community and Sustainable Development

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 03:50:44 GMT

With a career spanning decades in remote education and community leadership, Leigh Nelson’s appointment as the new General Manager – Community and Sustainable Development at ��ɫ��ҹ Council brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the land.

In this role, Leigh will support Yarnangu through employment programs, essential municipal services, financial well-being initiatives, and year-round community engagement.

Leigh has long been associated with ��ɫ��ҹ lands, having spent much of his career in education across remote locations, including Warburton, Wanarn, and the Cocos Islands. Most recently, he served as Director of Education, Goldfields, for the Department of Education—Australia’s largest education region.

Born in Esperance and raised on pastoral lands in Salmon Gums, 100 km north of the town, Leigh’s connection to these lands spans over three decades.

“My wife and I worked together in Warburton, and my first opportunity as a Principal was at the school in Wanarn,” Leigh shared. “That role began my journey as a School Principal across various schools, which lasted for 23 years.”

Leigh’s leadership journey took a significant step when he became part of a cohort of education leaders selected for a Harvard Principal Fellowship, which catalysed his move into system leadership roles within the department.

In recent years, Leigh also contributed to the Goldfields District Leadership Group (DLG)—a network coordinated by the Department of Communities to address local issues and drive improved outcomes.

“The DLG brought together the Shire, the Council, Department of Justice, WA Police, NIAA, and the Department of Communities to collaborate for strong, shared outcomes in Warburton with a focus on youth engagement and food security,” he explained.

Leigh’s leadership in the DLG deepened his connection to the ��ɫ��ҹ lands.

“Within the DLG, we had a sub-group focused on Warburton, which reaffirmed my ties to the area. As Chair of this group since its inception, I will now lead from my new role within the Council, ensuring continued collaboration across agencies.”

He emphasised his belief in authentic co-design between community members and organisations.

“The strongest outcomes on the Lands will come from genuine community voice and all the agencies working together towards lasting, collective impact.”

With a strong commitment to the ��ɫ��ҹ lands, Leigh intends to spend time in communities each month.

“Improvement happens at the speed of trust, so I’m eager to strengthen those relationships with our leadership team on the ground, enabling us to make meaningful contributions to the Council’s shared vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country.”

Reflecting on his new role, Leigh said, “The most important thing for me—and what attracted me to this position—is the opportunity to work alongside Yarnangu, who are so integral to our country. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and possibilities that developments like the Outback Way will bring to the lands.”

Leigh’s appointment is also a full-circle moment. Fred Twine, the Community Development Advisor he worked alongside during his first Principal role in Wanarn, continues to serve the Council as Municipal Services Manager. Their renewed partnership, after 25 years, promises to further strengthen the Council’s commitment to the ��ɫ��ҹ community and foster long-term, sustainable outcomes for Yarnangu.

Federal Ministerial Visit Marks a First for ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 05:17:00 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group was honoured to welcome Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the newly appointed Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, to our Perth office this week.

This landmark meeting, coinciding with a federal cabinet gathering in Perth, marks the first ministerial visit to our offices in the Council's history.

The meeting was attended by Senator McCarthy and her staff, along with Council CEO Thomas Williams, Mr Fred Chaney, Mr Preston Thomas, and Sonja Voogd Armstrong, General Manager of Community and Sustainable Development. The primary focus was on the current Remote Jobs Trial, 'Strong'.

The meeting also featured a live link to Warburton with Angelica McLean, Director and Social & Wellbeing Coordinator and Shannon Inder, Operations Manager - CDP, providing the Minister with deeper insight into the Council's work within the remote ��ɫ��ҹ communities.

Thomas Williams reflected on the deeper significance of the Ministerial visit, highlighting its importance beyond just the event itself.

"While navigating the complexities of the NIAA (National Indigenous Australians Agency) to secure a trial work program is significant, it is even more impactful to witness the Minister’s willingness to meet with our people both in Perth and on the ground in Warburton, to hear firsthand about the Lands and the 'Strong' program," Williams said.

"Her questions extended beyond the Remote Jobs Trial, as she sought to understand our vision for the future of Yarnangu and the ongoing challenges faced by remote communities," Williams added.

Minister McCarthy’s deliberate focus on improving remote employment opportunities and empowering remote communities was evident throughout the meeting.

"Our hope from this meeting is that it helps to foster greater flexibility within the Jobs Program, both during and beyond the trial,"

"This flexibility pertains to the variety and transferability of job options available to Yarnangu within the Trial,"

"The Minister embraced our desire to pursue innovative ways to engage Yarnangu in employment, even when those pathways involve a series of work opportunities that lead to longer-term prospects," said Williams.

The most enduring outcome of the meeting was a renewed commitment to the partnership between the Council and the NIAA—a relationship grounded in transparency and accountability from both the Council and the Agency.

"We concluded the meeting feeling highly optimistic about the Minister’s deep engagement and commitment to being part of the improvement of the Jobs Program on the Lands and to the members in our communities," Williams said.

Due in large part to the remoteness of its members, the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group is a rare example of a Council providing a comprehensive suite of services (excluding policing). This unique position presents an opportunity, enabling the Council to partner effectively with the agency, given its capacity to monitor and assess the progress of its members.

The Council’s vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on country is shared by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Her visit encouraged us to pursue this vision through engagement, activation, strategy, and the broader embrace of change management across the Council.

��ɫ��ҹ Council Group’s Leadership Team initiates Change Management Process

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 03:45:16 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group's Leadership Team recently convened for two half-day workshops to initiate a comprehensive change management process across the organisation.

The Council’s vision of 'Helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country' drives our commitment to building a more resilient and effective organisation.

To become an efficient, high-performing organisation that sets a benchmark for Aboriginal agencies, the Council recognises the need to break down existing silos, restructure our operations, streamline processes, and enhance service delivery. This is not a small or short-term assignment—it’s a vision that encompasses the entire organisation.

The two half-day sessions were facilitated by Change Management specialist, Tracy Cooper , who helped our managers become comfortable with sharing, interacting, and discussing change with one another.

Tracy highlighted the challenges and possibilities of leading change, equipping our leaders with tools to navigate the process of change effectively.

The workshops identified the economic, social, and organisational opportunities and challenges we face collectively. They also addressed the often-overlooked costs of maintaining the status quo, which can be difficult to communicate broadly.

“We understand the significant consequences of maintaining the status quo,” said Thomas Williams, the Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

“These consequences, along with some prevailing challenges, are often difficult or inappropriate to communicate widely. However, we recognise that the current economic climate, which is impacting all industries, also affects the Council,” Thomas said.

“Many of the opportunities and challenges identified through this change management process must be addressed to ensure that our foundations and processes are robust, enabling us to fulfil our core vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country,” Thomas said.

This transformative journey is vital for supporting Yarnangu and the future of our communities. By engaging in this change process now, the Council is confident it will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

“Our goal is to enhance service delivery in education, health, and employment, ensuring the sustainability of the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group. Our collective efforts will contribute to the flourishing of our communities and the preservation of our cultural heritage,” Thomas said.

“We recognise that any change of this sort requires mindful and strategic planning and communication across the organisation—we’re progressing through the equipping of our Leadership Team for this change management process.

Established in 1981, the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group (NCG) represents the interests of Yarnangu across 11 communities in the Central Desert region of Western Australia.

With over 450 employees across city and remote locations, the Council provides a wide range of services, including health, utilities, construction, employment, community development, shops, roadhouses, art centres, and land services. It is one of the largest and most successful Aboriginal agencies in Australia.

Training Empowers Council Board to Establish Pathways for Better Outcomes for Yarnangu

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 05:12:28 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Board of Directors, together with the Council Group's Leadership Team, gathered in Warburton earlier this August to undertake the initial phase of the 'Foundations of Directorship' program offered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Our Board is a unique blend of community-elected chairpersons from each of the eleven communities in ��ɫ��ҹ lands, four female-elected women directors, two non-member directors, and Chairperson Richard Kanari.

During the two-day workshop, the group completed the 'Governance for Directors' training, which focused on deepening their understanding of governance obligations, the roles and responsibilities of directors and management, and best practices for board meeting protocols.

A key focus of the workshops was understanding and respecting the significant role of traditional culture, law, and practice, alongside the legislated requirements for Aboriginal Corporations.

With directors from most communities in attendance, we ensured a safe and inclusive learning environment in each session. Content was translated into language, and ample time was allocated for questions and feedback, fostering open communication and a culture of continuous learning.

As Australia's leading body for director education, AICD provides essential training that the Board and Council are eager to embrace. This program equips us with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out crucial governance work for the communities we serve.

This Director Training is a vital part of the broader change management efforts within the Council, aligning with our vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country.

New Sports Coordinator to Reinvigorate Sports on ��ɫ��ҹ Lands

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 01:47:58 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Council has recently appointed Samantha Darby as the Communities' Sports Coordinator.

Samantha has been brought onto the Council to establish a new sports program that serves each of the ��ɫ��ҹ communities. The role will impact sports for all ages, identifying opportunities and pathways for children, youth, and adults.

"We're starting with a clean slate and engaging with each of the communities to develop a program that benefits everyone," Samantha said.

"For the last few years, sport on the Lands has taken the shape of compact carnivals, but with more significant resources to coordinate sport, we have bigger plans,"

"Our goal is larger seasons of Australian Rules and Softball in the winter months and a basketball competition through the summer," Samantha said.

"We're still working through our existing carnival fixturing, but that's what's down the track," she added.

"We'll begin with registration days so that we can gauge the commitment to the program and the number of teams that will feature in the competition,"

"Once up and running, we'll establish home and away fixtures throughout the season, culminating in a finals series similar to other regional and metropolitan competitions,"

"The primary goal is participation—engagement, education and empowerment," Samantha said.

Communities on the Lands vary in size, and the programs we develop will be tailored accordingly, whether that means smaller team sizes or multiple teams within each community.

"We're hoping to encourage similar fixturing within the schools as well as we embrace these healthy, active opportunities through each of our communities,"

"My role over the next few months is to move around each of the communities regularly and meet with Yarnangu so that I can form programs around possibilities,"

"We're also looking to identify targeted gathering spaces for youth around sport so that they have new possibilities for meeting, having a yarn, and cooking some food together through the week,"

Samantha is enthusiastic about the potential of her new role.

"I see enormous possibilities here! It's something different for me. I've spent my life as a spectator of sport; now I get to be at the heart of the action in ways that build and empower communities," Samantha said.

Before transitioning to her role in the CDP area, Samantha enjoyed a successful career in nursing, amassing over 15 years of experience. However, a desire to leave New South Wales and work in remote communities four years ago began a journey for Samantha and her husband, William, that would ultimately bring them to the Lands.

Samantha has recent experience in the CDP area, with stints in the Northern Territory with the Lajamanu, Galiwinku, and Willowra communities.

Samantha is based in Wingellina, where her husband, William, is a Municipal Services Officer.

��ɫ��ҹ Council CDP launches ‘STRONG’ Jobs Trial for Yarnangu

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 01:47:13 GMT

On July 3, a significant milestone was reached with the launch of the ‘STRONG’ Community Development Program (CDP) in Warburton. This initiative, a partnership with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), marks a monumental step forward for the ��ɫ��ҹ lands, its people, and their future.

The STRONG program aims to provide genuine work opportunities for Yarnangu, with over 40 new jobs in the initial trial phase. At today's launch, ten employment contracts were signed, both in Warburton and via online streamed communities across the Lands.

The goal is clear: Strong Pathways and Strong Yarnangu. By creating strong pathways to work, we can ensure that Yarnangu remain strong on the Lands. This collaborative effort between our CDP team and the government has resulted in a program that not only meets these needs but also empowers the community through sustainable and meaningful work.

Sonja Voogd Armstrong, General Manager of CDP, expressed the excitement shared by many at the program’s launch.

“This is the culmination of months of work by our CDP people on the Lands and our Perth CDP team, along with many others,” Sonja said. “Ralph Addis, Thomas Williams, our CEO, Mr. Fred Chaney, and the NIAA staff have all invested significant time and effort to turn this possibility into a reality.”

“While this is a trial, there is potential for expanding the program to create genuine, enduring work opportunities for Yarnangu,” she continued. “Substantive work and strong pathways for the future are essential for fulfilling the aspirations of Yarnangu to remain on the land and flourish. Today marks the beginning of something with a long, strong future.”

The STRONG program starts with 45 jobs for Yarnangu, but it signifies a deeper cultural shift—not only for them but also in how CDP and the Council support work on the Lands.

��ɫ��ҹ Council appoints Jodie Matthews as General Manager of Youth & Education

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 03:35:09 GMT

��ɫ��ҹ Council Group has appointed Jodie Matthews as General Manager of Youth and Education for the eleven member communities on the Lands.

The new role has been created to collaborate with the Education Department of Western Australia and other service providers to improve educational outcomes for youth on the Lands.

The role is highly integrated with other functions within the Council, recognising the significant impact of multiple factors on education outcomes.

"This new role has been created to oversee the delivery of culturally responsive initiatives that target education and training programs from early childhood (before school), children and youth, and adult education," Jodie said.

Jodie is a former Principal of the school at Warburton (2013-2014) and later returned in 2017 as Executive Deputy Principal based at Warakurna. Having previously worked with the Education Department at the regional office in Kalgoorlie, Jodie's role included frequent visits to support the ��ɫ��ҹ schools and their principals. Her familiarity with the network of schools on the Lands, their potential, and challenges runs deep.

In announcing the new role, CEO of ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group, Thomas Williams, highlighted the importance of the appointment.

"We’re taking this significant step to ensure our members have the strongest foundation possible for flourishing on the Lands," Thomas said.

"It’s another step to helping Yarnangu lead lives filled with purpose and agency and remain on the Lands."

While introducing Jodie to the Council’s employees, Fred Chaney - a friend of the ��ɫ��ҹ and Board Advisor - also emphasised the role's significance.

"This is a terrific day for the people on the Lands and for the Council. Education has always been a critical key for people having a strong future," Fred said.

"The challenge of equipping Yarnangu to walk in two cultures is a large one—we are well aware of the realities of this challenge."

"Like so many areas—housing, health, employment, and families among them—education is interrelated. The approach by the Council’s CEO is holistic and it needs to be as we’re addressing systemic issues on the Lands. Jodie’s appointment is another piece in the jigsaw that combines to create a picture of flourishing through all of our member communities," Fred added.

Jodie’s role, effective immediately, will lead the Council’s advocacy for child and youth education. While based at the Council’s head office, Jodie will spend significant time within the communities on ��ɫ��ҹ Lands.

��ɫ��ҹ Lands to adopt a single time zone from July 1

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 01:36:29 GMT

Starting July 1, the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands will standardise to a single time zone, marking a significant alignment for our communities.

For years, the challenge of operating across different time zones has posed issues for the eleven member communities, with six following Western Standard Time (WST) and five adhering to Central Standard Time (CST).

This division has often led to confusion, inefficiencies, and operational difficulties for our staff and the communities we serve.

Recognising these challenges, our Community Development Advisors (CDAs), in collaboration with feedback from the Western Australia Police Force (WAPOL) and the Education Department, have proposed unifying the entire ��ɫ��ҹ Lands under Western Standard Time (WST).

Consultations with key personnel across the Lands have revealed strong support for the move to one time zone, emphasising its potential to streamline daily operations, enhance service coordination, and boost community engagement. Aligning with our strategic objectives, this move aims to improve operational efficiency and increase community satisfaction.

By adopting a single time zone, we anticipate smoother communication, better scheduling, and a unified sense of time that will benefit everyone involved. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts this change will bring to our communities.

10,000 years old. Brand: New.

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:24:34 GMT

Welcome to the new branding for ��ɫ��ҹ Council!

Our new brand reflects a significant engagement process with community members, artists, and elders on the Lands. On May 22, it was approved by the Board of Directors, which represents the eleven communities of the ��ɫ��ҹ Council.

Our rebranding began with a desire to address an existing brand that was not only outdated but, more curiously, was inspired by Indonesian culture rather than Tjukurrpa.

In rebranding, we wanted to address the inconsistency of branding throughout our businesses and divisions. We wanted our proactive work in dealing with existing silos throughout the Council to be reflected in our branding as well.

Creating Communities was commissioned for a branding process that began with community engagement. They took on these community aspirations and sought to reflect these values in our brand development.

Our brief was for a memorable brand reflective of culture that is accessible and easily reproducible across many mediums.

Our consultative approach embraced the artwork and inspiration of the arts communities in Warburton, Wingellina, and others. In total, 21 artworks informed the palette and artistic direction of the new brand.

These works featured a strong prevalence of rock holes and a familiar loose, organic style, both of which are reflected in the new brand.

Our palette reflects the colours of ��ɫ��ҹ lands—their contrast and diversity.

We’ve taken inspiration from these artworks rather than trying to represent all aspects of culture (Tjukurrpa) in one device - that’s impossible!

While inspired by different artworks, it’s ultimately a brandmark that will serve us in all the varied ways we express ourselves visually.

We look forward to showing you more of the brand in action in the upcoming months as we re-launch our website, develop printed and digital media, and roll out the brand across merchandise.

Stay tuned, and welcome to our new brand!

Ancient Wisdom from the Lands: Nancy's Plea

Fri, 31 May 2024 00:08:22 GMT

Thomas Williams had only recently been appointed CEO of ��ɫ��ҹ Council after 17 years with the organisation when one of our community members stopped him in his tracks.

Nancy Tjungupi Carnegie is an artist and preserver of bush medicine. Nancy was born near Patjarr at a place called Pandaltjarra where she lived a traditional life into early adulthood. She is a prolific painter and avid hunter, often leaving Patjarr on foot to pursue tinka (goanna) in the remote Pila Nature Reserve. Nancy is currently the chairperson for Patjarr community and represents Patjarr’s interests as a director with Warakurna Artists.

As Thomas visited communities in the ��ɫ��ҹ group, he met with Nancy.

“Nancy predominantly speaks in the ��ɫ��ҹ dialect with an occasional English word, so I generally communicate with her through a translator. On this occasion, Angelica McLean was with me and helping us to have a conversation together,” Thomas recalls.

“Nancy was kindly congratulating me on my appointment, but it was one word that was familiar to me that stopped me in my tracks and caused me to ask Angelica to get Nancy to repeat what she had just said,”

“I heard the words SILOS,”

“My first thought was, ‘How does she even know this word as a woman living on these lands for many years’”

“Angelica repeated what Nancy had said: ‘Now you have the opportunity to remove the silos - do it’,” Thomas said.

It wasn’t an ultimatum, but it was undoubtedly a strong invitation. Even Nancy, removed from the politics and machinations of an Aboriginal Corporation, could spot something evident to her: silos within an organisation are a recipe for dysfunction.

Silos are contained areas of function that stand alone and apart from other functions within an organisation or system. Integration is necessary for there to be a free flow of information, collaboration and the ability to identify opportunities and efficiencies. Silos are often the product of institutional insecurity as people within a system seek to ‘protect their turf’, but they’re also one of the most significant obstacles to progress in an organisation.

“So obvious were some of these silos that Nancy could spot them from thousands of kilometres away. I found that sobering,” Thomas said.

“As I have navigated the early stages of my role as CEO of ��ɫ��ҹ Council, Nancy’s words have been among those that have fuelled my work,”

“We’ve already accomplished plenty, yet there’s so much work ahead of us because when some of that work is addressing the silos that thwart progress, that’s not always simple or comfortable,”

“But our mission is to see Yarnangu leading lives filled with purpose and agency, thriving in a culture-rich environment—for their aspirations to stay on country be realised,”

“Every time we make a decision that moves us closer to this, whether it’s in the area of CDP, employment, housing, community development, company culture and values, or bringing our brand into alignment across the Council, we move one step closer to ‘removing the silos’ and realising the aspirations of Yarnangu on the lands,” Thomas said.

Silos can thwart progress, no doubt, but confronting them in any institutional setting is complex, sometimes slow, work.

“Sometimes people like Nancy can spot the silos from thousands of kilometres away that we can miss from the trenches. Her plea has been life-giving for what we’re trying to accomplish day-by-day at ��ɫ��ҹ Council,” Thomas said.

Thanks, Nancy.

Back on the road:  The resourcefulness and resilience of the Kiwirrkurra community

Thu, 30 May 2024 06:30:51 GMT

It may seem a moon ago now, but as roads were flooded and access to many communities severed, stories emerged of how a team from Kiwirrkurra seized the moment to shine.

It had been seven weeks since heavy haulage had reached Kiwirrkurra, and the community was almost out of water, food, and other key supplies.

After seeing the state of the roads near their community and being aware that the roads team from the Shire of Laverton could not help, it was time to act.

David Brown, ��ɫ��ҹ CDP Engagement Officer, has been part of a team that has delivered water to the community for years and believed his team could get the job done.

Before commencing the work, David informed DFES of their plans to fix the road as long as The Shire of East Pilbara was prepared to accept (and fund!) the proposal.

Ten minutes later, they had a green light! Steve from the Shire was more than happy to engage the Kiwirrkurra community and ��ɫ��ҹ staff in road repairs so that trucks could travel to Kiwirrkurra with urgent food and water for the community.

The first job was to inspect washouts from the flood and place caution drums around the most dangerous washouts.

David contacted another worker, Mr Simon Brown, and advised him of the situation and whether he could assist.

“Simon was at my door in no time, keen to get going,” recalls David Brown.

He also brought along Kiwirrkurra jobseeker Joseph West, who was keen to assist.

“After inspecting the stretch of road and placing drums to warn traffic, a plan of action was put into place to prepare the grader on Sunday and repair the road on Monday, allowing the road to be open again ahead of a food delivery on Wednesday,” David said.

Early Monday morning, Simon was at my door, keen to move.

“We headed off towards the WA/ NT border. After 70 kilometres, we came across our first washout at Mt Winparku; we removed the caution drums, placing one at each end of the work site to warn incoming traffic that the grader was engaged in repairing the road,” David said.

After a long day, the task was completed, and all three washout locations were repaired.

“It was so satisfying for us to be able to say that the road would be open for Wednesday’s much-needed store truck delivery,”

“Our store managers, Sammi and Steve, along with the rest of the community, were so happy to see the truck roll in on Wednesday morning after six weeks of road closures from the heavy rains,” remembers David.

While this may seem like a story about the resourcefulness of the group of workers who identified an opportunity, proposed a plan, and fixed a problem, it’s also testimony to the resilience of every member of the Kiwirrkurra community who kept on working away despite the isolation and uncertainty caused by the road closures.

After the successful remediation and reopening of this stretch of road, David is now training his team for possible future collaborations with the Shire on this stretch of road from Kiwirrkurra to the NT border.

What a sensational outcome for the Kiwirrkurra community and ��ɫ��ҹ staff who worked together to obtain a significant result for the community.

Emerging from the Hermit Kingdom

Tue, 21 May 2024 06:08:55 GMT

For many years, reinforced by remoteness, ��ɫ��ҹ Lands have been referred to by some as the ‘Hermit Kingdom’.

The group of 11 communities who came together by choice in 1981 to form the ��ɫ��ҹ Council, were staunchly independent and rarely reached beyond themselves. Given the difficulty of accessing the lands and the reality that only the most ardent travellers traverse the Gunbarrel Highway en route to cities in the north or south, the label was reasonable.

Increasingly, though, the ‘Hermit Kingdom’ tag is being shaken off as communities seek to engage culturally, economically and socially with individuals and organisations beyond them.

Recognising the necessity for trusted travelling partners committed to journeying with Yarnangu of the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands has been pivotal in this emergence.

“We identified that to step into our future, we also needed to step out of the shadows,” said ��ɫ��ҹ Council CEO, Thomas Williams.

“To live lives of purpose and agency with strong families and strong stories, we also need strong partners.”

“We need to collaborate and co-create with others to realise the potential for our lands and our people—it’s a land rich with culture and stories, as well as economic potential. But to imagine this better future for all, we need to invite those who’ve taken journeys like ours before and learn with them,” Thomas said.

This emergence has gathered pace in recent years.

The establishment of BHP’s West Musgrave mine site in the Mantamaru | Jameson community has demanded astute leadership and stewardship of the potential royalties that will flow.

“We have seen the damage of the ‘resource curse’ in other Aboriginal communities, and we want to learn from that,” Thomas said.

“Being intentional in how we use these royalties for social investment, strong health outcomes, and the future of our people is very important to us.”

“We’ve collectively decided to apportion 30% of royalties for the future of our members: 10% into our savings fund, 10% into a renal fund, and 10% into the operation of our land culture division,” Thomas added.

It’s another level of stewardship that’s made necessary by possibility. ��ɫ��ҹ leaders are being invited to the tables of federal ministers because there’s been a growing awareness of the consistent, long-term management of community assets, businesses and programs.

While it hasn’t been a specific goal for the future of Yarnangu, there’s little doubt that the tag of ‘hermit kingdom’ is increasingly being overwhelmed by positive stories of agency, opportunity and possibility on ��ɫ��ҹ lands.

Getting food to the Lands—not your typical grocery run

Fri, 10 May 2024 04:49:30 GMT

Supplying food and fresh produce to the remote communities of ��ɫ��ҹ Lands isn’t your typical grocery run, it’s a fortnightly process involving ordering, scheduling and a whole lot of driving!

The scope and scale of travelling through the Western Desert would be difficult to conceive for your typical city driver who occasionally takes a trip ‘down south’!

NATS’s (��ɫ��ҹ Agency and Transport Services) driver, Rod Moiler, a stalwart and icon of the organisation for over three decades, shared some insight into what it looks like to bring supplies into the eleven communities that form the ��ɫ��ҹ Council.

“For 33 years, my rhythm was a fortnightly run that began on Wednesday with a pick-up of the big order from FAL (now Metcash) in Canning Vale. From there, it would be back to NATS in Welshpool, and on Thursday, we would get deliveries for each community in order, as well as any other supplies that needed to be distributed,” Rod said.

“I’d also make sure that I had the truck fully sorted and good to go with other supplies that may be helpful to others along the way—extra water, fresh fruit from my fruit trees at home, puncture kits to help other travellers out of a tight spot, and newspapers for the graders,”

“On Friday, I’d haul out of Perth, usually stopping outside of Kalgoorlie,”

“By Saturday, all going well with the weather and breakdowns—never a sure thing—I’d be driving in Warburton.

It’s never a sure thing because conditions are variable. The Western Desert experiences soaring temperatures that remind you to ensure your air-con is in good working order, but also experiences flash flooding that can get derail even the most experienced driver.

“There was a time when I was stuck in Laverton for a week waiting for the road to be drivable, and another when I did a load out to Alice Springs and back because it was impossible to drive west, but the need was desperate, so I headed east,” Rod said.

“There were other times where I got stuck in one of the communities because of the weather. I’d end up helping the store owners with some welding or stacking the shelves to fill in the time before I could get back out on the road,” he adds.

Rod took the initiative to bring newspapers for the operators of the road graders as well as fresh fruit. He figured out quickly enough that everyone helps each other in these remote places, and he might need some road grading to make a delivery before too long. More than once, those operators drove through the night to clear a path so Rod could make his next delivery.

As Rod would make his way out of Warburton on a Sunday, it would be along a route that became increasingly familiar.

“As I went from Jameson to Wanarn and on to each of the communities, I’d be delivering as well as backloading,”

“There’d be different supplies that needed to head back to Perth—from the Education Department or Police, or even a stranded tourist or their car—they’d be loaded on board as I made my way around the lands,”

“By Tuesday, I’d be back in Warburton, backloading anything from there before heading back to Perth on Wednesday morning,” Rod says.

“I’d arrive back in Perth late Thursday afternoon and then unload all the backloaded supplies at NATS,”

“Then, I’d spend the weekend with my family before spending Monday and Tuesday servicing the truck and getting it ready to do it all again on Wednesday!”

Unsurprisingly, Rod has clocked up plenty of kilometres out on the Lands. Over his career, a conservative estimate of 70,000 kilometres each year adds up to nearly 2.5 million kilometres on the road.

He speaks fondly of his trucks, favouring Macs above all others across the years.

“Five of my seven trucks have been Macs. My last one was six years old when I bought it. By the time I got it, it had already travelled 1.5 million kilometres on a regular Perth to Darwin run. I probably put another 500,000 kilometres on that one,” Rod says.

Numbers like this are a healthy reminder of the challenges of remoteness, including the challenge of getting fresh supplies to the lands. It’s certainly not a quick run to the store to get a few things for dinner. There are schedules, orders, forward planning, weather, breakdowns, and setbacks amongst the rich and rewarding long hauls.

Rod Moiler was one of the first drivers for NATS. He played a pivotal role in the early days, not only behind the wheel but also mentoring new drivers on the nuances of efficiently packing and navigating the challenging 900 kilometres of dirt road to Warburton and beyond.

While Rod retired in 2020, his legacy continues as he shares his invaluable experience with new drivers, ensuring that the quality and reliability of NATS remain strong, sustaining the lands with all the supplies that have become a reliable lifeline.

Community Plans create opportunities for engagement, employment and opportunity on ��ɫ��ҹ lands.

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:38:28 GMT

Strong homes and strong stories are at the heart of the aspirations of the members of communities on ��ɫ��ҹ lands.

The last six months have seen a steady stream of engagements and action within these communities as they have co-designed and collaborated on Community Plans to help their communities flourish. These plans have been developed by the communities, for the communities, and for delivery by the community alongside key stakeholders.

Importantly, these Community Plans have now been accepted, giving a green light to opportunities, strategies, and activities that can better resource remote communities and provide greater access to services, which we understand need to be improved in many ways.

The recent activation programs over the school holidays represented another key outcome of our Community Plans—creating spaces and places for our young people to engage and flourish on country. These programs involved many of our communities, with major hubs at Warburton, Warakurna, and Warnarn.

Our Plans reflect our aspirations for Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa (Strong homes, Strong stories) to fulfil our collective vision of purpose and agency —communities where members are encouraged and supported to thrive.

“Our Community Plans provide community-informed guidance to the ongoing activities and investment into the community for members, businesses and government,” said ��ɫ��ҹ Council CEP Thomas Williams.

There are plenty of opportunities for members of ��ɫ��ҹ communities to be engaged in these plans, and we believe there will be significant employment opportunities in some of our communities.

“Our vision is to support the ��ɫ��ҹ people to live healthy, fulfilled lives on the lands - places of flourishing where the aspirations of Yarnangu are realised as we work together towards strong families, strong stories, and strong futures on the lands,” Thomas said.

The intersecting impacts of remoteness, ineffective social support, insufficient social services, and the high cost of living have made our people some of the most disadvantaged in the nation.

“One of the major sources of disadvantage has been the changing face of CDP and ‘work for the dole’ policies, which have been punitive and negatively impacted communities,” Thomas said.

“Seeing these community plans not only accepted but moving to implementation is a significant milestone in identifying the potential, opportunities and the resourcing of each of our ��ɫ��ҹ communities,” Thomas said.

“It’s an exciting phase that we now enter as we’re seeing these community aspirations begin to shape and transform communities as stakeholders and government join us in building vibrant spaces on the lands and addressing head-on the genuine challenges and disadvantages that face our people in these remote communities,” Thomas said.

The Community Plans will continue to fuel opportunities as each element is activated and the future of living on the lands becomes brighter for many.

Addis joins ��ɫ��ҹ leadership team reflecting desire to help Yarnangu stay strong on country.

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:33:26 GMT

As ��ɫ��ҹ Council continues to lay strong operational foundations for Yarnangu (Aboriginal Peoples of the Western Desert) to remain strong on country, it has made the vital appointment of Ralph Addis as Executive Director of Operations.

Ralph joins the Council with a legacy of experience in the government sector and with traditional owners across Western Australia.

Ralph spent twenty years in the East Kimberley, including as founding CEO of Wunan Foundation, an Aboriginal development organisation in the East Kimberly region of Western Australia. The diverse dimensions of the Foundation included education reform, housing reform, employment, and economic development.

He was driven by a desire to give Aboriginal Peoples in the region increasing economic independence and sustainability through a community-led approach.

After 12 years with the Foundation, Addis spent two years as the community CEO of Warmun | Turkey Creek, working with the government and NGOs to rebuild the community after it was devastated by floods in 2011.

Over the last two decades, Addis was Chair of the Kimberley Development Commission, Director General of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, and CEO of Lotterywest and Healthway.

Ralph’s breadth of oversight and governance experience, combined with a desire to realise Yarnangu's aspirations to stay strong on the lands makes him a strategic fit for the Council’s leadership team.

‘The calibre of the people I worked with in the Kimberleys was outstanding, including my wife, who I met while in Kununurra—in many ways, it’s still home to me,’ Addis said.

After a string of rewarding roles in government, Addis’s commitment to indigenous development remained strong. Ultimately, it would draw him back into contexts where he could effect change.

‘I believe the broader commitment and priority of the state to Indigenous development remains underdone,’

‘The lack of priority given by policy-makers was a trigger for understanding that I could be of more value as a catalyst for change from outside of the political system rather than within it,’

‘The opportunity to work with ��ɫ��ҹ Council emerged after some consulting work with the Council,’ Addis said.

‘I can see the trajectory of change and the imperative for change in the Council, and it excites me to be part of helping Yarnangu stay strong on country,’ he added.

Appointments like Ralph Addis are significant to assembling a management team that can implement genuine, long-term change for those who desire to lead flourishing lives on ��ɫ��ҹ lands.

Former sparky brings light to the lands in newly created Chief People Officer role.

Wed, 01 May 2024 00:33:04 GMT

��ɫ��ҹ Council has appointed Juanita Grillmeier to the newly created role of Chief People Officer, further demonstrating the value of people within the Council and the desire to raise capability and capacity across the group.

The role also reflects the desire to elevate prospective employees’ and partners’ awareness of ��ɫ��ҹ Council and the opportunities to work both in-office and on-country.

While ��ɫ��ҹ Council is among the largest Aboriginal Corporations in Australia, public awareness and understanding of the Council’s work has been relatively low, which reverberates in its ability to attract prospective employees.

“I see this role as an opportunity to set the foundations across People & Culture,”

“Even the new name of our function reflects the broadening of our work beyond recruitment to shaping organisational culture and WH&S, establishing systems and processes of attracting, onboarding, and developing people in impactful and meaningful roles within the organisation,” Juanita said.

Juanita wasn’t always working in the HR area. She began with an apprenticeship right out of school.

“I started work as an electrician! I sometimes joke that I’m an electrician who does HR,”

“I completed a four-year electrical apprenticeship at a remote coal mine after leaving school in Central Queensland—spending one year working on surface infrastructure, two years underground, and one working in the processing plant,” Juanita said.

“I quickly learned that while anyone can be a technical expert if you want to be a true leader, you need to understand people,” she added.

Juanita understood that, with her skillset, she could make more positive changes in roles that worked with people and helped shape culture. She moved from the coal mine to Brisbane, where she completed a Bachelor of Business at Queensland University of Technology, majoring in Human Resource Management and Management, while continuing working in her trade with Australia Post.

Many of Juanita’s roles over a career that has spanned over two decades have been across the HR space as a generalist, and in specialist and organisational development roles. Her roles have been primarily within the mining industry (multi-commodities), while also local government and consulting with a range of organisations, with many of these roles based in rural and remote areas. Prior to taking the role with ��ɫ��ҹ Council, Juanita lived in Kalgoorlie for the past two years.

“Leadership, organisational culture, employee engagement, and creating safe, inclusive and thriving workplaces are the space I love working in—places where I can help people grow, realise their potential, and impact their work environment in positive ways,”

“More than anything, I wanted my next significant career move to be one that gave me the opportunity and freedom to empower, and shape the culture of an organisation that impacts the lives of so many,” Juanita said.

The potential to walk alongside the eleven communities on ��ɫ��ҹ lands and see their aspirations to flourish and remain strong on country fuels the desire to unite and lead the organisational culture at ��ɫ��ҹ Council.

Road closures from flooding continue to hamstring remote communities on the lands.

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:29:23 GMT

Flooding and road damage caused by rains in March 2024 continues to thwart supplies to remote communities on ��ɫ��ҹ lands.
(Pic: Shire of Laverton)

The 900-kilometre journey from Kalgoorlie to Warburton continues to be blocked for heavy haulage six weeks after torrential rains drenched the areas of the Western Desert in March.

While generally traversable, a short stretch of 130 kilometres from Cosmo Newberry prevents heavy haulage vehicles from continuing north to Warburton. While a small bypass allows smaller 4WD vehicles to continue the journey, it remains unsuitable for large trucks.

The road damage has created a logistical headache for supplies of fresh food, as well as building and maintenance supplies.

Mark Hutton, Acting General Manager of Housing at ��ɫ��ҹ Council, provided insight into the complexities of logistics as they await access to the road once more.

“Our most urgent transport deliveries, like fresh provisions, are required to add a combined 4,600 kilometres to their round trip by entering South Australia and accessing the lands via Alice Springs,” Mark Hutton said.

“It’s been six weeks so far, and the road won’t be re-inspected by the Shire until April 29,”

“There is still standing water on sections of the road, though nothing like it was right after the initial rains,”

“While fresh provisions have been taking the longer route since those initial rains, we’re now having to organise movements of building materials as well to continue maintenance activities and building projects in our communities,” Mark said.

The flooding of parts of the Western Desert was also the cause of a group of seven becoming bogged in a vehicle about 220 kilometres south-west of Tjuntjuntjara community in mid-March. More recent problems with access endangered the reliability of another community’s water supply.

With no guarantee of access following the road inspection by the Shire of Laverton at the end of April, significant overruns on transport costs are in danger of extending further.

“Each bulk load transported via South Australia costs an additional $12,000, which significantly impacts the cost of providing goods and services to the lands while also creating some uncertainty around ongoing delivery,” Mark said.

“It’s still too far down the track to change current realities, but the programmed sealing of the road out of Laverton will be a game-changer for these regular journeys—both for community members and service providers,” Mark added.

The current access to ��ɫ��ҹ lands is another example of the challenges of life in remote communities. While this isolation will always cause significant challenges, there is hope that heavy haulage access will be resolved as a priority.

Icon of the lands, Rod Moiler, celebrated with a bench to sit and remember.

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:39:56 GMT

When Rod Moiler’s mate suggested that he tag along on a freezer run into the desert, Rod had no idea where it might lead.

His mate was Kim Riches, the desert was the Western Desert of ��ɫ��ҹ Lands, and the company was NATS - the transport service agency Joseph Williams had just founded for the ��ɫ��ҹ Council.

“I was 33 at the time and just coming out of a job managing a hotel for my father, having apprenticed as a mechanical fitter. I had no trucking experience, but it was love at first sight,” Rod remembers.

“After that first trip, Kim suggested that if I bought a truck, Joseph would probably give me some transport work out in the desert. It was an offer too good to refuse!”

“It was pretty rough back then. The journey from Laverton to Warburton was little more than an ungraded track, but the desert felt like home,”

“Every trip felt like an adventure. There were no phones to begin with, and the conditions were challenging, but I loved the remoteness,” Rod says.

Those remote roads would be Rod’s second home for the next 33 years.

In 2020, he parked the truck for the last time, having driven close to 2.5 million kilometres—the vast majority of which were on the fortnightly supplies distribution run around the communities that form the ��ɫ��ҹ Council.

“NATS was a professional setup from the very beginning. I was initially contracting with Joseph Williams. He wanted the best for the ��ɫ��ҹ communities and expected the same from his contractors. He was firm but fair,” Rod recalls.

As Rod learned the ropes and rigours of driving over challenging terrain, he also became a Mr Fixit. He had to. The rugged terrain frequently meant broken axles, blown tyres, and plenty of mishaps for drivers trying to make it out to Warburton or back to Kalgoorlie.

He took to making contingencies for himself and other travellers—extra water, fresh fruit from his fruit trees at home, and puncture kits to help fellow travellers out of a tight spot. All became part of the journey for the Desert Dog, as he became known.

“It can get pretty hairy out there in remote places; I was just keen to do what I could to help,” Rod says.

It seems fitting that a man who gave respite to many should be celebrated with a bench on his seventieth birthday that allows people to rest.

The bench, located under a shady tree at Tjukayirla Roadhouse, celebrates a man revered by all who know him and recognises his unwavering dedication and the positive impact on NATS and the broader ��ɫ��ҹ community.

Rod fondly remembers his three decades of driving.

“The desert was good to me; the most rewarding work I could have imagined,” Rod says.

“I was comfortable being on my own out there, but I have met so many people and made good friends—I’ve seen the Lands and a couple of generations of people on the lands grow up and become successful,

“To have that freedom and reward has been hard work, but it’s also felt like a bit of a holiday. I’ve loved it so much,” Rod says.

Reflecting on the fuss being made of him after all these years, he seems uncomfortable with the spotlight.

“I feel a little sheepish being recognised in this way—I’m a guy who was more comfortable behind the wheel in the cabin on my own or helping out some people broken down on the side of the road,” Rod says.

“There’s been a group of other drivers along the way, including Bill Baker in the beginning, who I learned from and observed, and who each made a huge contribution to life on the Lands,” he added.

The Western Desert breeds heroes, and Rod Moiler—the Desert Dog—is undoubtedly one of them! Not that he’ll tell you.

��ɫ��ҹ Symposium casts a vision for stronger child health outcomes on the lands.

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:17:13 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Health Service presented the ��ɫ��ҹ Aboriginal Child Health Symposium in Walyalup | Fremantle on April 10-11.

The symposium, attended by almost 100 delegates, included presentations from Professor Fiona Stanley AC and Dr David Scrimgeour AO, yarns about growing up from ��ɫ��ҹ women, and an overview of the Council's strategic plans for health by the Council's CEO, Thomas Williams.

Around 350 Aboriginal Children aged 0-9 years live on the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands and are regular clients of NHS.

Despite Australia being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, ��ɫ��ҹ children have a health status and social circumstances comparable to low-income countries.

The underlying factors for this disparity are complex, interrelated and intergenerational, creating a seemingly inescapable cycle.

The symposium was also an opportunity to present Tjilku Walykumunu: The ��ɫ��ҹ Health Service Child Health Study - a landmark 85,000-word report providing qualitative findings to inform health strategy for our children on the lands over the next decade.

Inge Kral prepared the study with a team comprising Angelica McLean, Lloyd Durie, Annie Tangey, and Rosalie Schultz. They sought to understand the factors that might contribute to poor child health outcomes on the ��ɫ��ҹ lands, how families think about child health, and what caring for children means.

The study considered vital questions:

What is going on in families around children's health and nutrition?
What is happening around homes that affects children's health?
What are ��ɫ��ҹ people's attitudes, beliefs and practices?
Understanding the mismatch between how health and nutrition services are delivered and how families understand them.
Understanding the mismatch between family understanding of what is essential in childhood and health professionals' understanding.

Most broadly, the study demonstrated that the best child health outcomes are a product of strong families, adequate housing and reduced overcrowding within households.

From those three core themes cascade a subset of recommendations and potential outcomes that reverberate across education, healthy choices, treatment and testing facilities, and housing strategy.

Speaking at the symposium, ��ɫ��ҹ Council CEO Thomas Williams encouraged delegates to contribute to positive change for children on the lands.

"This Child Health Study has much to make you despondent, but there are also glimmers of hope," he said.

"I encourage you to be part of the catalyst for delivering genuine change for our people on the Lands. In the work that each of you is doing, consider the children on the ��ɫ��ҹ Land and whether anything you're doing can help them," he added.

��ɫ��ҹ elder Preston Thomas echoed Thomas's encouragement:

"Progress might be slow and start small, but I believe we can do this," he said.

"For aboriginal people on the land, we struggle. We can't do it alone; our hand is up for help. Together, we can do this. We can change the next generation for the mob on the Lands,

"The time for change is now. I've already seen change happening. We need to keep doing the right things to make it better," Preston said.

There's no doubt about Yarnangu's aspirations—for their families and their children's health. They want to flourish in every sense—physically, socially, economically, and culturally—to thrive in the country and enjoy healthy outcomes in strong families. The symposium is one more dimension to the progress that is being made towards these aspirations.

A Cup of Tea, a Chat and a Hard Day's work

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:34:27 GMT

There’s one thing for sure, if you rock up to the Warakurna Community Development Shed at eight in the morning, you’ll be greeted with a hot cup of tea.

It’s all part of CDP officer John Tibble’s approach of creating an environment where everyone is welcome to participate in work.

After a cup of tea and breakfast, the men sit together to discuss the tasks on the day’s agenda, before splitting off into teams to get the jobs done.

Warakurna CDP General Hand, Roy Bennett, said that they get involved by fixing things around the community, tending to the community garden, and making sure the community stays clean through regular rubbish collections.

“We’re out here every day. We come to CDP shed, we have breakfast, and then get to work,” he said.

“I enjoy the work, it’s good for me, good for community.”

John says teamwork is crucial to the program's success, with local Yarnangu empowered to take responsibility for the jobs that need doing around town.

“It’s like that saying, you can give a man a fish and he will eat today,” John said.

“But if you teach a man to fish, he will eat tomorrow.

“That’s the kind of analogy we want to implement here in Warakurna, empowering people to become self-sufficient and self-reliant. We’re just here to support.”

Jason, Warakurna’s CDP Activities Coordinator, says it’s nice to see the ownership the men take in keeping the community clean, and the pride they hold in doing so.

“Every Monday we are out here with the men, working as a team to collect rubbish,” he said.

“If you look around the community, you’ll see the men here do a really, really good job.

“One of their favourite things is to keep the community tidy and clean and take care of the rubbish.”

When the men aren’t out on tractors cleaning up community, you’ll often find them in the Warakurna Men’s Shed, a hub for a variety of CDP activities. The shed is a safe space for men to work together and was built in collaboration with the support from the whole community.

John said his approach prioritises supporting local people to learn life skills that empowers them to support their community.

“It means people can take control of their own destinies, while getting people job ready.”

We’re working to reimagine CDP and the work being done in Warakurna is a great example of how community collaboration is leading the way for a better future.

The light is returning to the Lands

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

For decades now, there has been a sentiment within the Yarnangu of ��ɫ��ҹ Lands that for anything substantive to change, it will need to be through government assistance. But hope is returning from within the Lands.

While there’s measures of assistance from state and federal sources, these lands cry out for transformative change that will help see the aspirations of Yarnangu realised in their lifetime. A sense of dashed expectations and desperation is a reasonable reaction to what has prevailed.

As the ��ɫ��ҹ Council celebrates its 43rd anniversary, CEO, Thomas Williams, reflected on this perception.

“I think our people have long had this opinion that if it’s not funded by the government, we don’t do it, but the reality is that gaps of funding are so great that we had to look beyond those sources,” Thomas said.

“We came together 43 years ago on these lands through a collective choice to walk together. We have accomplished so much together and as I reflect on the milestones of this history, I see times of great expectation and sometimes despondency as well,”

“These realities have stopped us dreaming of the future for too long. But I think that we’ve realised that the future might be within us,” he added.

Through strong financial stewardship in recent times, ��ɫ��ҹ Council had enough funds in reserve to work on plans that would develop each of their communities through their own means.

With the appointment of Creating Communities Australia, there has been a series of engagements from which Community Plans have already been developed for six of the eleven ��ɫ��ҹ communities

“These plans have breathed fresh life and expectation in our communities and fuelled their aspirations for lasting positive change to come to the lands,” said Thomas.

“I stood alongside one of elders, Mr. T, who reflected on the genuine change that he was seeing emerge in the Lands,”

“Mr. T said: ‘ It’s starting to change the world - the light is returning to the Lands. I really thought for a while that we might be done and there was nothing that we could do, but I’m starting to see the light again— I’m encouraged by the work that’s being done by the Council, and by that Creating Communities’ mob’,” Thomas recalled.

It’s an insight that both stimulates and encourages the work that is being done at so many levels large and small—housing, health, education, employment, culture & country—to realise the overarching goal of Yarnangu living lives of purpose and agency through Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa (Strong homes and Strong Stories).

There’s no doubt that the road ahead is long. The transformation of communities is good work but, most times, it’s slow and hard work .

As the ��ɫ��ҹ Council commemorates 43 years of walking together, it’s with renewed endurance for the work ahead. The light is returning.

The Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa (Strong Homes, Strong Stories) Community Plans are live

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 02:55:19 GMT

It’s with great excitement that we share with you the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands Community Plans, Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa – Strong Homes, Strong Stories.

These Plans represent the ideas of Yarnangu from across the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands. They were developed in late October when the team from Creating Communities visited the Lands to listen and learn our communities’ aspirations for the future.

We made these Plans because we know that Yarnangu are strong. Yarnangu get their strength from Ngurra and Tjukurrpa, the stories and language passed down by ancestors, guided by thousands of years of continued culture on the Lands.

Since first contact, Yarnangu have sought to understand and navigate many changing systems and processes that haven’t worked in remote communities. This has made life hard.

These Community Plans for Warakurna, Wanarn, Blackstone, Jameson and Warburton, aim to provide direction from the community to create lasting positive change. The team also plan to visit the remaining ��ɫ��ҹ Lands communities to work on developing Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa – Strong Homes, Strong Stories Plans with their community members.

This change relies on embracing new ways, while at the same time maintaining strong connections with Tjukurrpa, Country, language and family.

We invite you all to review these plans, to share them with your family, to talk about them. We also invite you to give us feedback, tell us what you think will and won’t work.

The team from Creating Communities will be back in the Lands at the start of 2024 and they’re looking forward to hearing your feedback.

Aged Care to expand across the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 02:55:58 GMT

The ��ɫ��ҹ Health Service has received a significant funding boost ensuring it can continue to look after elderly Yarnangu through its vitally important aged care services.

The service, provided through the Kungkarrangkalpa residential aged care facility, based in Wanarn, and through the various Home and Community Care (HACC) services across the lands, ensures our elderly Yarnangu community members are looked after, by providing cooked meals and various levels of care depending on the individual’s need.

In the past 12 months, the increasing costs of providing services, like the cost of food, transport, and resourcing, has made providing the high-level service that our communities deserve more challenging than ever. However, despite these challenges, the ��ɫ��ҹ Health Service has continued to provide exceptional quality care.

The funding increase is a result of the diligent and effective advocacy of ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group deputy chief financial officer Andrew Black, who worked with the health team to lobby the Federal Health Department to significantly increase the funding.

This will allow the service to increase its employment opportunities for Yarnangu workers, upgrade and purchase new equipment for its facilities, upgrade its respite and palliative care service delivery and host more community events to ensure older members of the community are engaged with social activities to keep connected with family and friends.

The outcome reflects the importance of this valuable service for our communities and reinforces the dedication of our health team in ensuring older Yarnangu are cared for.

It would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts involved, with Andrew Black and the health team playing a pivotal role in fighting for more funding for aged care across the lands.

When we all work together, we achieve great things. It’s a testament to the kind of difference we strive to make in our communities.

��ɫ��ҹ Council Group CEO Announcement

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:48:13 GMT

Richard Kanari, Chairperson of the ��ɫ��ҹ Council today announced that, after an extensive search process, the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group Board has appointed Thomas Williams to lead the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group into the next season.

Search firm Lester Blades supported the Board’s search. The role garnered much interest and there was a strong field of candidates.

Mr Kanari said, “Thomas has a strong connection to the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands, having spent his early years and some of his working life in Warburton. This, along with his vision for the people and the communities in the lands to thrive, will ensure we forge a better pathway forward together.”

The appointment of Mr Thomas Williams reflects an important moment in ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group’s history; with community planning now in full swing, the organisation is well positioned to improve life for community members in the ��ɫ��ҹ communities while at the same time ensuring members can take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Reflecting on his selection, Thomas said: “I am honoured and excited to be selected to lead the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group. We have a unique opportunity at this time to deliver better outcomes for the communities. I am committed to building and implementing a unifying organisational strategy that puts the community first. I look forward to working together with our team, partners and industry for the betterment of the people in the ��ɫ��ҹ Lands.”

Thomas’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group will commence on 28 November, 2023.

��ɫ��ҹ Council Group AGM

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:16:56 GMT

��ɫ��ҹ Council Members AGM and Election for Lady Directors

All ��ɫ��ҹ Members are invited to the ��ɫ��ҹ Council Group Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 1st November 2023 in Warburton.

There will be a barbecue lunch and the nomination and election of four ��ɫ��ҹ Lady Directors for the Boards of:

��ɫ��ҹ Council Aboriginal Corporation

��ɫ��ҹ Health Service Aboriginal Corporation

��ɫ��ҹ Services Aboriginal Corporation

��ɫ��ҹ Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and;

Yarnangu ��ɫ��ҹku Parna RNTBC Aboriginal Corporation

��ɫ��ҹ Council Members Meeting, Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 02:42:57 GMT

hj1358-ngaanyatjarracouncil-website

����ɫ��ҹ Council appoints new General Manager - Community and Sustainable Development

“Improvement happens at the speed of trust, so I’m eager to strengthen those relationships with our leadership team on the ground, enabling us to make meaningful contributions to the Council’s shared vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country.”

Federal Ministerial Visit Marks a First for ����ɫ��ҹ Council Group

The ����ɫ��ҹ Council Group was honoured to welcome Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the newly appointed Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, to our Perth office this week.