September 2022

Federal Direct Enrolment Update – Trial for people living in remote communities

Posted: September 29th, 2022

As part of its broader Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is introducing a new initiative – the Federal Direct Enrolment Update (FDEU) – in an effort to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ enrolment rates.

In Western Australia, the AEC will be trialling the FDEU program in:

• Broome
• Cable Beach
• Dampier Peninsula
• Derby
• Geraldton
• Northampton
• Perth

Using information available from other government agencies, people living in the trial locations who are not yet enrolled, but who are eligible to enrol, will get a letter from the AEC.

This letter will let you know that the AEC intends to add your name and address to the electoral roll in 28 days.

If your details are correct, you do not need to reply to the letter or do anything else.

If your details are incorrect, you have the 28 days to respond and update them.

If the letter is sent to someone no longer live at that address, it should be ‘returned to sender’, so the AEC will know not to enrol that person at that address.

Further information about the FDEU is available at: aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/About_Electoral_Roll/direct.htm

Or, if you have any questions about the trials, you can contact Charlene Pollard at the AEC directly on (08) 6363 8029 or Charlene.Pollard@aec.gov.au.

Cameras bolster dog and dingo data collection

Posted: September 27th, 2022

Nyangumarta rangers have received a major boost to their resources for monitoring animals on Country, after a successful grant application to the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, worth about $20,000.

They now have 30 new Reconyx remote cameras for a data collection project on wild dogs and dingoes in the Nyangumarta native title determination area, working in partnership with the University of New South Wales, Central Queensland University and Taronga Conservation Society.

The rangers will deploy a set of 30 camera traps in a grid pattern to assess the spatial distribution of wild dogs/dingoes and their impact on the landscape, both in coastal areas and inland.

Rangers are trained in using the camera traps and a small group are also experienced in analysing sensor camera data.

Along with improving the scientific knowledge about wild dogs, dingoes and feral cats in the region, the project will also help to develop the capability of Nyangumarta rangers in delivering fee-for-service work in areas such as biosecurity surveillance and wildlife monitoring.

Nyangumarta rangers is a program operating with support from YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit.

Nyangumarta rangers Ayesha Moss, left, Lisa Toby, Roberta Hunter, Kiarna Badal, Eddina Badal, Kerri Hunter, Lynnette Wilridge, Vernon Badal and Keithan Toby with the new cameras. Picture: Jake Muller

Upcoming community and practitioner workshops to reduce risk of stillbirth for Pilbara Aboriginal women

Posted: September 19th, 2022

Currently, Aboriginal women experience stillbirth at two- to three-times the rate of non-Aboriginal women. Improved knowledge sharing and awareness raising on this important issue needs to occur, so culturally-appropriate efforts that reduce rates of stillbirth can be better understood and introduced as part of the healthcare services Aboriginal women access.

To help address this critical issue, the Pilbara Aboriginal Voice (Kakurrka Muri) (PAV), which YMAC provides secretariat support, has recently commenced working with Still Aware, a national body whose mission is to raise awareness about stillbirth and ways to reduce its risk. Specifically, a working group has been formed to co-design related resources with and for the Pilbara Aboriginal community.

As part of this collaboration, a number of community and practitioner workshops are being held in the region, the next of which are taking place in Karratha Wednesday, 19 through Friday, 21 October 2022. For more information about each of the workshops being organised, please see the below flyers.

1. Community Workshop (Wednesday, 19 October)
2. WISDOM (Community) Workshop (Thursday, 20 and Friday 21 October)
3. Still Aware (Practitioner) Workshop (Thursday, 20 and Friday 21 October)

Learn more about safety, risk and insurance

Posted: September 19th, 2022

Learn more about safety, risk and insurance in a free online training course from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) on 28 September.

The three-hour session, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm AEST (10.30am-1.30pm AWST), covers the key legal obligations necessary to protect the people in your organisation, as well as how to identify and manage risks before they become problems.

The training course covers:

• Why safety is so important.
• The effect of incorporation on legal responsibility.
• Work health and safety duties.
• Risk management processes.
• Insurance and protections available.
• Safety and risk tips.
• Additional resources to help in the future.

Visit the ORIC website to register and find out more.

First Nations knowledge, culture and practice highlighted in joint management forum

Posted: September 15th, 2022

For the first time in 10 years – at a state or national level – Traditional Owners and other land and sea management experts came together to share their knowledge regarding joint management this week. Read the media release.

Free training course: key legal duties of directors

Posted: September 14th, 2022

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) is offering a free online training course on the key legal duties of directors on 23 September.

From 12.30pm to 3.30pm AEST (10.30am-1.30pm AWST), it’s an opportunity to learn more about governance, including what it means to be a board member, what you can be liable for and where to turn if things go wrong.

Topics covered include:

• The legal roles of directors as decision makers.
• Differences between governance and management.
• Legal structures and the status of your organisation.
• The Importance of rules and legal purpose or objectives.
• Four key legal duties of directors.
• Potential liabilities, protecting yourself and your organisation.
• Other relevant laws.
• Additional resources to help with governance roles.

To register and find out more, visit the ORIC website.

Driving Access and Equity Program – Funding Grants NOW OPEN!

Posted: September 8th, 2022

Grant applications are now open for the Driving Access and Equity Program. The grants will support eligible organisations and projects in the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions that help disadvantaged learner drivers obtain their driver’s licence, particularly those in regional Western Australia.

The funding is available for projects and initiatives that address local barriers preventing people from obtaining their driver’s licence, including improving access to appropriately licensed vehicles, driving supervisors and instructors.

Applications for the Mid-West and Gascoyne round of the Driving Access and Equity Program grants close on Monday, 3 October 2022. Click here for more information or to apply.

National Mental Health Commission – Open Community Meeting

Posted: September 7th, 2022

The National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) recently launched the Making Connections for your Mental Health and Wellbeing program. As part of the program, the NMHC are holding community meetings around the nation to hear first-hand from community members about their experience of the mental health and suicide prevention systems, what needs to be improved and what measures are a priority for each community.

On Tuesday 20 September, the NMHC will be holding a community meeting in Geraldton from 5.30 – 7.00pm at QE2 Seniors and Community Centre, 88 Durlacher Street, Geraldton.  

This meeting is open to all members of the public and the information from the community conversations will be used to inform the work of the Commission and to report back to state and federal Health Ministers.

For catering purposes, and for reporting back to participants, please register by clicking on this link or by phoning 1800 220 246.

If you are unable to attend a community meeting, the National Connections Survey provides an opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences. You can also share your story with the NMHC here.

More information on the program, community meetings and survey can be found at the Making Connections 2022 website.