2013

Yinhawangka People Sign Pilbara Native Title Agreement with Dragon Energy

Posted: May 10th, 2013

Filed under: Dragon Energy, Gang Xu, Hardey River., Pilbara, Pilbara Iron Project, Roma Butcher, Simon Hawkins, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yinhawangka

Click to Enlarge Yinhawangka Community Members with Representatives from Dragon Energy and YMAC

The Yinhawangka people recently announced a native title agreement with Dragon Energy, paving the way for its flagship Pilbara Iron Project.

Under the agreement, Yinhawangka consent to all activities associated with the development of an iron ore mine at Dragon’s Rocklea Central and North deposits. It also allows for further mining leases within the area.

The Agreement follows 12 months of constructive consultation and covers milestone and production payments, employment opportunities as well as cross-cultural exchanges and consultation on environmental matters.

Yinhawangka representative Roma Butcher said, “It was a pleasure doing business with Dragon Energy. Dragon’s General Manager Gang Xu was so easy to talk to and clearly has a huge respect for Yinhawangka People.

“I feel that Dragon worked with us respectfully and understood things we had to say about the Country, the flora and fauna, and how these things are important for us, our community and our health. Dragon Energy had empathy for what we are trying to achieve, and that meant that in return we also wanted to work with them. Maybe some of the Chinese cultural values that Gang Xu brought to our meetings were similar and led to understandings of our Aboriginal culture.

“Our flora and fauna are very important to us – as our Country is – and it’s good to know that Dragon Energy respects that, and respects our knowledge of the Country and the river system, and have agreed to include Yinhawangka People in ongoing environmental management.”

Dragon Energy’s Managing Director, Mr Gang Xu, commented that the parties had developed an excellent working relationship and looked forward to this continuing with the development of Pilbara Iron Project.

“Our negotiations with the Yinhawangka People have been based upon a strong mutual respect and have focussed on achieving outcomes that will benefit of both parties.

“We look forward to working with the group to develop our Pilbara Iron Project and at the same time provide opportunities to the Yinhawangka community and preserve their heritage and customs.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said, “Dragon Energy listened to concerns the Yinhawangka People had regarding impact to the Hardey River and have put in place an ongoing program to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge. Both parties showed great flexibility which has led to a strong relationship.”

Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation Shortlisted for Social Enterprise Award

Posted: May 3rd, 2013

Filed under: AAC, Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, Ashoil, Indigenous Careers, Indigenous Employment and Training, Pilbara, Pro Bono Australia, Social Enterprise Awards

YMAC would like to congratulate Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation (AAC) for being shortlisted for Pro Bono Australia’s inaugural Social Enterprise Awards.

‘Ashoil’, a commercial enterprise run by AAC, trains indigenous youth from the Pilbara region of Western Australian to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuels. The initiative has been shortlisted in the ‘Social Enterprise Innovation’ category.

The Awards celebrate commercial ventures across all sectors of the Australian economy that deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes directly to the community.

Winners will be announced in Melbourne on Tuesday 28 May, 2013.

AAC aims to benefit Aboriginal people in the Pilbara through increasing employment and enterprise opportunities, and by providing education and training services.

Click here for more information about Ashoil, and here to see Pro Bono Australia’s full Social Enterprise Awards shortlist.

For more information about AAC, please visit their website.

Registrations Still Open for 2013 Welcome to Hedland Community Expo

Posted: May 1st, 2013

Filed under: North West Telegraph., Port Hedland, Regional events, South Hedland, Town of Port Hedland, Welcome to Hedland Community Expo

There are still a couple of days left to register your organisation, group or business to take part in the 2013 Welcome to Hedland Community Expo, which takes place Friday 17 May from 5pm to 9pm at the South Hedland Town Centre.

The expo is an annual celebration of the Hedland region, giving community groups and businesses the chance to to connect with new residents and existing locals, with this year’s event shaping up to be the most exciting yet.

If you would like to host a stall, perform or do a demo at the expo, go to the Town of Port Hedland website or download a registration form here. For more information, call (08) 9158 9660.

Registrations close this Friday, 3 May.

Yugunga-Nya People Sign Native Title Agreement with Ventnor Resources

Posted: April 30th, 2013

Filed under: Bruce Maluish, Doolgunna, Evelyn Gilla., Green Dragon Copper Project, Murchison., Simon Hawkins, Thaduna, Ventnor Resources, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yugunga-Nya

The Yugunga-Nya People, Traditional Owners of land within the Eastern Murchison region of Western Australia, have announced the signing of an agreement with Australian base metals company Ventnor Resources Limited (Ventnor) for the Thaduna/Green Dragon Copper Project over 640 hectares of their traditional country in Doolgunna Western Australia.

The agreement recognises the cultural and environmental significance of the area for Traditional Owners and aims to deliver significant financial and social outcomes to the Yugunga-Nya People through commercial and community development opportunities.

Yugunga-Nya Traditional Evelyn Gilla said, ‘I am happy that this agreement was signed. The
company was friendly, and it was a good agreement for Yugunga-Nya people’

Ventnor Managing Director Bruce Maluish responded, ‘we at Ventnor extend our appreciation
to the Yugunga-Nya People for the goodwill they have exhibited throughout our negotiations
that have culminated in this important agreement. Ventnor looks forward to working with the
group in the future’.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) CEO Simon Hawkins said, ‘This agreement
shows what can be achieved when companies are open from the outset. The mutual
cooperation throughout negotiations meant this agreement was finalised within a short
timeframe and both parties were happy with the result’.

Pieces of Gutharraguda Exhibition Opening in Denham

Posted: April 24th, 2013

Filed under: Denham, FORM., Helena Bogucki, Indigenous Arts, Jimmy Poland, Malgana, Pieces of Gutharraguda, Shark Bay, Shark Bay World Heritage and Discovery Centre

Respected local Denham community icon, Jimmy Poland, will tell the story of his life in Shark Bay through an upcoming exhibition of his jewellery and artwork called Pieces of Gutharraguda.

At 86 years old, Malgana elder Jimmy has been carving pearl shell, emu eggs and boab nuts for many years – a skill that was passed down from his father – but this is the first time his works have been documented visually as part of Malgana cultural history.

Through a mentorship program supported by contemporary WA arts organisation, FORM, Jimmy has been able to work with leading WA jeweller and designer, Helena Bogucki. His pieces reflect the evolution of Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) country, as well as the fishing and pastoral industries of the town.

Pieces of Gutharraguda will be showing at the Rose de Freycinet Gallery, Shark Bay World Heritage and Discovery Centre, 3-24 May 2013. The exhibition will then travel to Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre in Carnarvon, Port Hedland Galleries, and Perth.

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Next Rounds of Nominations for 2013 National Congress Open Soon

Posted: April 23rd, 2013

Filed under: 2013 National Congress, Indigenous congress, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, Time for Unity

Each year, the National Congress of First Peoples holds a meeting of 120 members who are elected and appointed as Congress Delegates. The meetings are a key event where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can come together with the Congress’ elected National Board to share persepectives and recommend strategies on issues that affect indigenous communities and families in Australia.

Although individual delegate nominations are now closed, nominations for organisation delgates will be open from 3 May 2013 and for Co-Chairs from 3 June 2013 (please see timetable below as a guide).

This year’s National Congress meeting takes place 19-21 July in Cairns.

Fore more information, including application and eligibility requirements, visit the National Congress website.



Click to Enlarge

Good Heart 2013 Calls for Indigenous Artworks

Posted: April 19th, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Good Heart 2013, Indigenous Arts, Mid West, Oakajee Port and Rail Good Heart Aboriginal Art Project, Oakajee Port and Rail.

There is just over a week left for Indigenous artists from the mid-west to submit contributions to be considered for the Good Heart 2013 art exhibition.

Now in its sixth year, the Oakajee Port and Rail Good Heart Aboriginal Art Project showcases traditional and contemporary works by emerging and established mid-west artists to a metropolitan audience.

The main exhibition will take place in Perth from 10-14 June 2013, after a preview in Geraldton from 13-27 May.

Works must be submitted for consideration by Wednesday 1 May 2013.

Artists interested in submitting works should contact Nan Rickards on 0417 184 290 or email nan.rickards@bigpond.com

Expressions of Interest Sought for Regional Appeals Committee

Posted: April 18th, 2013

Filed under: Department of Housing WA, Indigenous housing, Regional Appeals Committee, Regional Committees, Regional Communities, Regional Housing

The Department of Housing is looking for people to join its Regional Appeals Committee (RAC), and Indigenous people in particular are encouraged to apply.

The RAC is a three-person committee that meets regularly from each region to review decisions made by the Department of Housing.

Committee Members sit on a rotational basis, and a sitting fee is paid for each Committee meeting.

For more information including application and eligibility requirements, download an Expression of Interest Application Kit, visit www.housing.wa.gov.au or call the Department of Housing on (08) 9222 45446.

Applications close 3:00pm on Monday 29 April 2013.

Pilbara Indigenous Business Announces Mining Services Joint Venture

Posted: April 16th, 2013

Filed under: Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Nyiyaparli Engineering Mine and Maintenance Services, Western Plant Hire



Click to Enlarge L-R: Rear – Tom Edmonson, Luke Mateljan, Sue Bung, Francis Bung. Sitting – Ray Bushnell, Bruce Bung.

YMAC congratulates Nyiyaparli Engineering Mine & Maintenance Services Pty Ltd (NEMMS) and Western Plant Hire (WA) Pty Ltd (WPH) who have just announced an incorporated Joint Venture to conduct Plant Hire and Mining Services in the Pilbara.

NEMMS is an Aboriginal owned and run company, established in 2010 by members of the Bung family, who are Traditional Owners of Nyiyaparli country in the Pilbara.

WPH offers a complete plant hire service and Crushing Services with clients including Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) and Rio Tinto, among others. WPH have been working closely with NEMMS for the past 12 months at Fortescue Cloudbreak mine, providing several large items of mining equipment.

The joint venture agreement gives 50/50 ownership to each company and will be managed by a Board with equal representation.

Sue Bung, NEMMS Director, said the partnership was a way for her family to participate in the local economy and get back to her traditional country. “We started NEMMS because we wanted to get up and do something for ourselves. Western Plant Hire and Fortescue have really given us a start, and I’m thankful for this opportunity. It lets us get back onto Nyiyaparli country, to our songlines and sites, to keep our law and culture going. I look forward to getting our younger generation involved”.

Ray Bushnell, Chief Executive Officer, WPH said, “We have been working with NEMMs for over a year and got to know the Bung Family very well. We saw that we had similar values, that we could create a good partnership. It made sense to take things to the next level and set up a joint venture. Since day one, NEMM’s commitment to the process has never faltered. They have been so driven, keen to learn, do more and get involved in the business operations from a day-to-day perspective”.

Isak Buitendag, Fortescue Director External Affairs said that this agreement represents the culmination of 18 months of hard work and dedication by the Bung family, Western Plant Hire and Fortescue. “It is wonderful to see NEMMS reaping the benefits of their effort to secure this joint venture with Western Plant Hire to service the resources industry. We look forward to seeing this joint venture create employment opportunities and develop an economic base for the benefit of NEMMS and their community”.

Sue Bergersen, Business and Workforce Development Manager for Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, assisted NEMMS in the agreement negotiations. “This commercial arrangement is a very real and tangible example of the effort being undertaken by traditional owners in the Pilbara to change their futures. This partnership utilises current mining and market opportunities to build financial capacity, independence and employment pathways for family members”, she said.