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Aboriginal Ranger Program now accepting applications for Round 8 funding

Posted: March 14th, 2024

The Western Australian Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP), administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), are now accepting applications for Round 8 of their funding with $16.5 million dollars available.

The funds are for Aboriginal organisations to undertake projects linked to ranger activities dealing with youth, climate action, and/or cultural tourism.

Round 8 is open until 5pm Monday 22 April 2024.

To find out more or to lodge an application, click here, or email the ARP at aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au.

Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia accepting EOI’s for membership

Posted: February 5th, 2024

Expressions of Interest are now open to join the Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia (AACWA).

The Council is a Government board providing advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the State Government on matters relating the interests and well-being of Aboriginal people across WA.

The Council also serves as the WA Government’s key strategic partner in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, where they provide advice and guidance on WA’s implementation.

The Council meets approximately six times a year in Perth where they provide advice on policy matters to Government agencies and Ministers, and its current membership consists of Aboriginal leaders from across the state.

To find out more or to download an application package, click here, or contact the Department of Premier and Cabinet via email at AACWA@dpc.wa.gov.au or phone on (08) 6552 5000. Applications close on 18 March 2024.

ORIC offering online training for directors

Posted: January 30th, 2024

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) are offering sessions for their online governance training, designed to cover key legal duties for directors.

The training is designed for experienced and un-experienced directors, covering the ins and outs of governance, and explaining your legal obligations as a board member.

The training will cover:

  • What it means to be a board member?
  • The legal role of directors as decision makers.
  • The difference between governance and management.
  • How your organisation’s legal structure and status affects your decision making?
  • Why your rulebook and your organisation’s purpose are important?
  • What your four key duties are as a director?
  • What you are liable for and where you can turn if things go wrong?
  • Other resources available to help in your governance role.

The interactive session will cover case studies and facilitate discussions for you to apply your new knowledge to practical scenarios.

The online training is happening on Thursday 1 February 2024 from 2:30pm – 5:30pm West Australian time.

To register to attend the training, click here.

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage offering First Nations scholarships

Posted: January 29th, 2024

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) are offering a scholarship to encourage First Nations students to pursue a tertiary degree in Urban and Regional Planning as part of their First Nations Australians Planning Program (FNAPP).

The scholarship program is aimed to develop and retain a group of First Nations Australians for planning office roles within DPLH, with peer mentoring provided by the Department’s First Nations planners.

One scholarship will be awarded each year from 2024 to 2028 to support students for the duration of their course in either a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, or a Master of Urban and Regional Planning course a Curtin University.

  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning – Each scholarship will provide a cash stipend of $15,000 per semester for the four-year duration of the Scholarship Recipient’s full-time course. Scholarship Recipients studying part-time will receive pro rata payments for the duration of their studies up to a maximum combined total of $120,000 across the period of their studies.
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning – Each scholarship will provide a cash stipend of $15,000 per semester for the 18-month duration of the Scholarship Recipient’s full-time course. Scholarship Recipients studying part-time will receive pro rata payments for the duration of their studies up to a maximum combined total of $45,000 across the period of their studies.

To find out more or to lodge an application, click here. Applications are open until 6 March 2024.

ACOSS seeking survey respondents on dealing with heat in your home

Posted: January 24th, 2024

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) are encouraging First Nations people to share their experiences in dealing with heat in their homes by filling out the ACOSS/First Nations Clean Energy Network Heat Survey.

ACOSS are working alongside the First Nations Clean Energy Network (FNCEN) and will publish reports on the findings to advocate for government support for those experiencing disadvantage with summer heat, including access to energy performance retrofits of their housing.

The survey closes on Sunday 28 January 2024. To take part in the survey, click here.

For more information, contact Rochelle Braaf at rochelle@acoss.org.au.

Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation seeking participants for stakeholder engagement on new Biodiscovery Bill

Posted: January 22nd, 2024

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DJTSI) are seeking participants for the third phase of stakeholder engagement on the new WA Biodiscovery Bill.

The Bill is designed to manage biodiscovery in WA and make sure benefits are shared fairly and equitably. It is aiming to set out a framework for WA native plants and animals for biodiscovery purposes and provide certification for researchers to show their work in in-line with the Nagoya Protocol, and international agreement concerning biodiscovery.

The government is hoping that through the new Bill, Aboriginal people will share in commercial and other benefits when traditional knowledge has been shared and used for biodiscovery activities.

DJTSI are particularly interested in hearing from Traditional Owners, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Custodians, PBCs, Native Title Representative Bodies and research organisations.

If you are interested in learning more about the bill or providing feedback on the development of a Traditional Knowledge Code of Practice for the Bill, click here or get in touch with the Biodiscovery Project Team via email at biodiscovery@jtsi.wa.gov.au or telephone (08) 6277 3000.

Western Australian Stolen Wages Class Action information sessions

Posted: January 19th, 2024

As part of the ongoing Western Australia Stolen Wages Class Action, Shine Lawyers are holding information sessions throughout the state until June 2024.

The sessions will provide the community with the opportunity to speak to the lawyers and ask any questions regarding the class action, and the settlement process.

No RSVP is required to attend an information session, drop-ins are welcome at any time during the indicated timeframes. Friends and family are also welcome.

To find out more about the Stolen Wages Class Action, read our previous blog post here.

To see the most up-to-date listings of when and where information sessions are happening, visit the Shine Lawyers webpage by clicking here.

To find out more about the case, the settlement, or ask for a registration form, please see below contact details:

• Call Shine Lawyers on 1800 976 150
• Email Shine Lawyers at wastolenwages@shine.com.au
• Go to shine.com.au/stolenwageswa

Mid West

Geraldton
Date: Monday, 22 January 2024
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation

Jurien Bay
Date: Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Jurien Bay Civic Centre

Morawa
Date: Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: Shire of Morawa – Oval Function Room

Mullewa
Date: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Mullewa Lesser Hall

Yalgoo
Date: Thursday, 25 January 2024
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: Shire of Yalgoo – Yalgoo Core Stadium

Mount Magnet
Date: Thursday 25 January 2024
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: Anzac Hall

Yulga Jinna Community
Date: Thursday, 25 January 2024
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Yulga Jinna Community Office

Karalundi Community
Date: Friday, 26 January 2024
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Multi Purpose Hall

Wiluna
Date: Sunday, 28 January 2024
Time: 10:30am – 1:30pm
Venue: Shire of Wiluna – Moonlight Hall Function Centre

Meekatharra
Date: Monday, 29 January 2024
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: Meekatharra Sports Complex

Buttah Windee Community
Date: Monday, 29 January 2024
Time: 1:30pom – 3:30pm
Venue: Buttah Windee Community

Pia Wadjarri Community
Date: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: Pia Wadjarri Office

Gascoyne

Exmouth
Date: Tuesday, 6 February 2024
Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Exmouth Community Centre

Carnarvon
Date: Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: Gwoonwardu Mia

Mungullah Community
Date: Thursday, 8 February 2024
Time: 8:30am – 1:30pm
Venue: Mungullah Community

Denham
Date: Friday, 9 February 2024
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Denham Town Hall

Western Australia Stolen Wages Class Action

Posted: December 18th, 2023

Shine Lawyers has shared the following information about this Class Action and asked YMAC to distribute to networks. Please distribute to those people that may need this information.

The Western Australian Government has agreed to settle the case brought by Mr Mervyn Street against the WA Government on behalf of all First Nations people who weren’t paid all their wages or money between 1936 and 1972.

The WA Government has agreed to a settlement of up to $180.4 million – depending on how many people register – which the Federal Court will need to approve before any money is paid out.

If you are part of the class action and want to get a payment from the settlement, you need to complete and send in a registration form by 30 June 2024.

You are part of the class action and can register if:

a) You are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person born before 9 June 1962;
b) Between 11 December 1936 and 9 June 1972 you worked in Western Australia and worked at some time for little of no wages;

OR

c) You are representing a family member who qualifies and has since passed away (if you are their spouse (husband/wife/partner – married or defacto) or child)
If you don’t want to claim compensation, you don’t need to do anything. But you will still need to be a part of the case, and you will lose your legal rights if the settlement is approved.

If you want to find out more about the case, the settlement, or ask for a registration form you can:

• Call Shine Lawyers on 1800 976 150
• Email Shine Lawyers at wastolenwages@shine.com.au
• Go to shine.com.au/stolenwageswa
• Come to an information meeting at a town near you – to see a schedule of meetings, click here.

Community Arts Network seeking community members for Aboriginal Advisory Group

Posted: December 13th, 2023

Community Arts Network (CAN) are currently seeking expressions of interest from First Nations community members living on Noongar Boodja to join their Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG).

The AAG is a key advisory body for CAN, designed to provide the organisation with cultural advice, counsel, feedback, guidance and advocacy. Members of the AAG are paid a consultancy fee for this work.

CAN are seeking individuals who are active in supporting their community and interested in language, culture, and the arts.

Expressions of Interest are open until 5pm Friday January 12 2024. To lodge an EOI or to find out more, click here.

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.

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