2022

Defence and Veterans Legal Service

Posted: December 8th, 2022

Did you know there is a legal service available at Legal Aid WA called the Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS)?

The DAVLS has been set up to assist people who want to share their story with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

They provide free and private legal advice about the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide to members of the public including:

• people who are serving, or have served, in the Australian Defence Force (no matter time, length or service branch); and
• family members, carers and supporters of people who are serving, or have served, in the Australian Defence Force.

The DAVLS can help people share their experiences safely, protect their privacy, help them prepare a submission, and talk to them about their rights and protections.  They can also connect people with other legal and non-legal services if required. Click here to read the DAVLS pamphlet.

For further information, please visit their website at https://defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au or call 1800 33 1800.

Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032

Posted: December 6th, 2022

Created through a process of consultation across Nyangumarta Country in WA’s northwest Pilbara and southwest Kimberley region in 2020 and 2021, the Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032 builds on the previous IPA Plan of Management 2015–2020 which involved extensive consultations with the Nyangumarta community between 2010 and 2015.

Through four field trips over an 18-month period, the IPA plan drew from consultation and research conducted with Elders, rangers, cultural advisors and Nyangumarta community members to ensure as much information as possible was gained on how best to encapsulate the Nyangumarta values, practices, and beliefs regarding Culture and looking after Country.

The IPA plan is currently split into six values/categories:

1. Marrngumili – Nyangumarta Law and Culture
2. Yinta – Important Sites
3. Governance and Partnerships
4. Nyangumarta People and Pathways
5. Pirra Country (Great Sandy Desert)
6. Jurrar Country (80 Mile Beach)

The management plan is a living document that will be reviewed and updated when required.   The review process is through the MeRI framework, allowing a way to make change transparent on the management plan so progress can be tracked and adapted when necessary.

The  Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032 can be viewed here

Thoughts wanted on IPA program

Posted: November 29th, 2022

Operating for more than 23 years, the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) program is built on a community-led approach to caring for Country and keeping culture strong.

The Aboriginal-owned organisation Ninti One is talking to people across Australia to find out what people think of the IPA program to enhance its future design and funding decisions.

Learn more about the evaluation in a video from Professor Tom Calma.

Surveys close Monday, 9 January 2023. A community report with key findings will be made public by the National Indigenous Australians Agency later next year. For more details, email IPAevaluation@nintione.com.au.

Boost for Gascoyne region as Carnarvon office opens doors

Posted: November 28th, 2022

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation’s (YMAC) new Carnarvon office celebrated its official opening on 25 November.

Located at 4 Francis Street, the new office is designed to support YMAC members and Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) in the Gascoyne region. Read the media release.

Community meeting for Badimia language project

Posted: November 21st, 2022

Calling all Badimia Elders, families and individuals – the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre wants to hear from you.

A community meeting is being held from 9am-5pm, Wednesday, 30 November, and Thursday, 1 December, at Mt Magnet’s Recreation Centre to develop an online Badimia language learning portal. Catering is provided.

The Badimia language is falling into disuse and considered severely endangered. This project aims to document the language so it can live on through the generations. Download the information flyer to read more.

For more information, call 08 9920 7900, email language@irrawangga.org.au or visit their Facebook page.

Mid West workshops on ACH Act

Posted: November 19th, 2022

Three government-run workshops on the proposed guidelines for the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 will be held in the Mid West in late November and early December:

• Geraldton: 10am-2.30pm, Monday, 28 November, Batavia Coast Conference Centre, The Gerald Apartment Hotel, Level 1, 25 Cathedral Avenue.
• Meekatharra: 10.30am-2pm, Wednesday, 30 November, Town Hall, 54 Main Street.
• Mt Magnet: 10am-2pm, Thursday, 1 December, ANZAC Hall, corner Hepburn and Naughton Streets.

A Statewide, online-only session will also be held 9am-1.30pm, Thursday, 1 December.

The workshops will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Code, which details a required due diligence assessment and proposed activity and consultation guidelines that will set the standard for engaging First Nations people about their cultural heritage in the new act.

Another key discussion point relates to setting levels for ground-disturbance activities that could cause harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage to determine whether an approval would be required (and whether it should be a permit or more comprehensive management plan).

With the introduction of the new heritage laws for Western Australia scheduled to take place in 2023, this is a critical opportunity to provide feedback on these important documents. YMAC encourages people to attend to have their voices heard.

Register for the workshops for catering purposes. Morning tea is provided beforehand, along with a working lunch.

New Pilbara office boosts YMAC’s presence in the region

Posted: November 17th, 2022

It’s official – Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has celebrated the official opening of a new Hedland office on 17 November.

Located at 8 Manganese Street in Wedgefield (Port Hedland), it’s the first time YMAC has owned an office building in the Pilbara after leasing premises for two decades. Read the media release.

PhD opportunity in Indigenous-led management of Sea Country

Posted: November 16th, 2022

Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute is looking for a PhD researcher to work on the Indigenous-led management of Sea Country in projects across the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia.

The aim is to support the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous marine and fisheries managers to address critical knowledge gaps and improve the visibility, equity and outcomes of Sea Country management.

Candidates should have existing expertise and experience in partnering with Indigenous communities in conservation planning, land and sea management, protected area governance, fisheries management, MPA (marine protected area) management, anthropology or policy.

Applications close 16 December but candidates are asked to email jackie.gould@cdu.edu.au to discuss their research interests by 24 November. Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Stolen Generation and Victims of Institutional Abuse Compensation – Geraldton information sessions being held this week

Posted: November 15th, 2022

Community information sessions about Stolen Generation and Victims of Institutional Abuse Compensation are being held in Geraldton this week.

The sessions are being run by Harrow Legal, who will have their team available to both provide an overview of this work and to privately meet with individuals for interviews. (Noting, all information and details shared are private and confidential.)

Both sessions are being held at the Mitchell Street Community Centre (Mitchell Street, Spalding):

Wednesday, 16 November

12.00pm Lunch & Overview

1.00pm -4.00pm Harrow Legal Team available

Thursday, 17 November

10.00am Overview & Lunch

1.00pm-4.00pm Harrow Legal Team available

For further information, please contact: Ken Hayward on 0415436074; Charmaine Green or Lennelle Papertalk on 08 9956 0200 (during business hours).