Country, Culture, People, Future

October 2022

Grants for young First Nations people

Posted: October 31st, 2022

Applications for the State Government’s Aboriginal Youth Empowerment Grants of between $2000 and $25,000 are now open.

A total of $275,000 in Department of Communities funding is available through the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) for initiatives that help First Nations people aged 10 to 25 with increased representation, engagement and participation in decision-making.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community groups, local governments and non-for-profit organisations can apply for the grants.
The funding will be assessed by a panel of young First Nations people and First Nations community representatives, along with representatives from the Department of Communities and Youth Minister’s office.

Applications close 9 December. For more details, visit the YACWA website.

How Pilbara residents can save water and money

Posted: October 18th, 2022

Since 2013-14, the Water Corporation’s state-wide ‘Waterwise Towns Program’ has saved an estimated 1.7 billion litres of water – equivalent to 756 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

As part of its latest program targeting the North-West, eligible Pilbara residents in Karratha, Onslow, Point Samson, Port Hedland, Roebourne, South Hedland, Wedgefield and Wickham can access this initiative to help use water more efficiently and save money on bills by upgrading inefficient plumbing and/or making other changes in their home and garden.

Among the available offers is a free showerhead swap, which can save up to 20,000 litres of water per household by upgrading to a water-efficient showerhead.

Residents in participating towns can also apply for a free plumbing service, which includes a leak check and minor repairs, as well as upgrades to water-efficient fittings if required.

To help save water in the garden, residents in Karratha, Onslow, Point Samson, Port Hedland, Roebourne, South Hedland, Wedgefield and Wickham can also apply for a free irrigation service. This includes a sprinkler check and assistance to ensure irrigation systems are working efficiently.

In addition, many residents in Karratha, Point Samson, Port Hedland, Roebourne, South Hedland, Wedgefield and Wickham will receive comparative water use letters to show how their water use compares to others in the town, with tips and advice to help them use water efficiently.

Plumbing and irrigation services are limited, with registrations open until 1 May 2023, while the showerhead swap is available until 31 May 2023 (or until allocations are exhausted).

For more information or to apply, visit http://www.watercorporation.com.au/waterwiseoffers.

Applications now open for State Government’s ‘Connecting to Country’ grant program

Posted: October 18th, 2022

Applications are now open for grants to support Western Australian Aboriginal people and organisations to undertake activities that foster links between community, country and culture.

The Connecting to Country program provides grants of up to $25,000 to support the sharing of knowledge between generations, to preserve culture and strengthen communities.

The program intends to improve understanding of country, ancestry, and kinship, in addition to promoting positive mental health, wellbeing, and resilience through community-led cultural healing projects.

Eligible applicants can use the grants to help cover the costs for:

  • travel expenses;
  • equipment hire;
  • specialist services;
  • documentation; or
  • any other costs associated with the project.

Applications close at 4pm on 8 December 2022, for activities starting after 1 May 2023.

For more information, visit https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/funding/arts-funding/connecting-to-country.

Ranger documentary in the FRAIM as finalist

Posted: October 10th, 2022

A seven-minute documentary about the Nyangumarta ranger team was shortlisted for an Indigenous Community Television (ICTV) Video Award at the Festival of Remote Australian Indigenous Moving Image (FRAIM) last week.

Recognised in the Best Our Way Video category, Nyangumarta – From Desert to the Sea documents the skills of a First Nations ranger group including fire management, feral animal control, fauna and flora monitoring, weed management, water monitoring, cultural heritage protection, collecting and transferring Traditional Ecological Knowledge and tourism development.

FRAIM is a gathering of Indigenous video-makers from around remote Australia for three days of workshops, peer-to-peer sharing, showcasing of work and discussions about issues specific to the Indigenous screen sector in remote areas of Australia.

The Nyangumarta rangers program operates with support from YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit. They previously featured in Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories, a documentary finalist in the Earth Futures Festival.

Watch Nyangumarta – From Desert to the Sea online

Nyangumarta rangers in the documentary Nyangumarta – From Desert to the Sea.

The Nyangumarta rangers featured in the documentary.

Latest YMAC News now available

Posted: October 6th, 2022

YMAC News: Issue 45 – October 2022 is now available. Click on the image below to download or view it online.

In this edition, we provide updates on:

  • Re-scheduled dates for Yamatji On-Country in Geraldton
  • Amendments to the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972
  • Yamatji and Pilbara Annual Regional Meetings
  • Outcomes from an online joint management forum
YMAC News October 2022 cover

Stellar stargazing celebrates the SKA

Posted: October 3rd, 2022

Explore the universe under the dark night sky in Murchison on 14 October at a free community event celebrating the SKA-Low Telescope.

To be built in the Murchison on Wajarri Country, it’s an opportunity to hear more about the SKA project, look through telescopes at stars and other points of interest and watch a laser pointer tour of constellations and planets.

The SKA presentation is at 6.30pm, followed by stargazing on the oval at 7.15pm. A free barbecue is also on offer – BYO chairs, rugs, picnic items, torches, flynets and insect repellent. RSVP is required to cm@murchison.wa.gov.au .

The event is being held at the Murchison Settlement – Community Hall, 3007 Carnarvon-Mullewa Road.

Murchison Stargazing Event

Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.

We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.

Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.

Disclaimer: Caution: Please be advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.

This will close in 15 seconds