Blog

Posted: July 3rd, 2026

NAIDOC Week begins this Sunday, 5 July – a time to come together in recognition and celebration of the rich history, diverse cultures, and remarkable achievements of our First Nations peoples. 

This year marks an important milestone: 50 years of NAIDOC Week. That’s five decades of honouring and amplifying the voices, resilience, and cultural strength of First Nations people. 

The 2026 theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, invites us not only to reflect on the past but also to look ahead with hope and pride. It celebrates the strength of all First Nations people, the vision of their communities, and the enduring legacy that their ancestors have passed down to today’s young leaders. 

NAIDOC Week is a meaningful opportunity to honour First Nations peoples and to recognise the importance of celebrating culture and supporting self-determination.  

Be sure to follow our YMAC LinkedIn page throughout NAIDOC Week as we highlight the journey so far, celebrating the leadership of today, and looking to the future being shaped by community.

Apply now to join the EDO First Nations Strategic Advisory Committee

Posted: July 2nd, 2026

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from First Nations people to join the First Nations Strategic Advisory Committee (FNSAC).

The FNSAC provides First Nations cultural advice to the EDO to strengthen outcomes for First Nations people. It will also support the development of a First Nations Program, including a First Nations Strategy and input into work areas such as climate justice, cultural heritage, and advocacy.

Applications are encouraged from people with community and grassroots experience, cultural knowledge and connection to Country, and expertise across areas including policy, climate or environmental work, cultural heritage, law, governance, and advocacy. This includes First Nations Elders and those with cultural authorities, emerging First Nations leaders, First Nations people from remote and regional areas, and First Nations people with diverse lived experience and perspectives.

Remuneration and travel support will be provided, with members contributing to about five meetings per year. Applications can be submitted in written, audio, or video form, with the EOI process closing on Friday 7 August 2026.

Apply via this EOI online form, or email Jonathon.captainwebb@edo.org.au for more information.

Stay protected this Winter

Posted: July 1st, 2026

Protect yourself and your mob against common viruses by getting vaccinated this Winter.

With viruses constantly changing, it is important to keep up to date with vaccinations – especially as we start getting older.

If you fall into one of the below categories, you are eligible for free vaccination:

• Influenza (the flu): All First Nations people in Australia over 6 months old, once every 12 months.
• COVID-19: Everyone over the age of 65, once every 12 months.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): All First Nations people over the age of 60, one dose.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a series of resources for sharing among First Nations communities to encourage people to vaccinate against the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. These resources include a fact sheet, a poster, social media tiles, a printable eligibility card, and videos – including an advert featuring Troy Cassar-Daley.

Find out more and download the resources on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Certificate III in On Country Management

Posted: June 19th, 2026

North Metropolitan TAFE is offering a Certificate III in On Country Management at their Midland Campus, with a Semester 2 2026 intake.

The course is designed for First Nations people who want to work on Country, following cultural protocols and combining traditional knowledge with modern land management practices. It is delivered through classroom learning as well as hands-on, field-based training.

First Nations people aiming towards being an Indigenous Ranger, tour guide, cultural interpreter, council or government worker, land management employee, bushland officer, or cultural heritage officer will benefit from this course.

For more information, download this flyer or visit the North Metropolitan TAFE website.

Geraldton Senior High School hosting Two-way Science Community Input Session

Posted: June 19th, 2026

Geraldton Senior High School (GSHS) invites community members to take part in a Two-way Science Community Input Session at the Mitchell Street Community Centre on Wednesday 24 June, 9:30–11:30am.

GSHS welcomes anyone with cultural knowledge or insights that can support and enrich learning for young people.

This session is an opportunity to share knowledge and help shape how cultural perspectives are included in education, with morning tea provided to anyone in attendance.

At the session, you’ll learn about:

• Two-way science and cultural learning
• Our cultural learning goals
• Opportunities for community input
• Seasonal knowledge relevant right now

For more information, please contact Alyce Whitby at

GSHS on 9964 8400 or alyce.whitby2@education.wa.edu.au

Badimia Signage Project: Vote now for your favourite design!

Posted: June 10th, 2026

Through the Badimia Signage Project, new signs will be displayed acknowledging Badimia Country as a way of recognising, promoting, and preserving culture, language and heritage.

Main Roads have selected four Badimia artists from the Winda Barna Art Centre, and votes are now open for the public to decide which design will feature on the signs.

The chosen design will be used by Main Roads on four signs which will be installed across the region, to acknowledge Badimia Country.

This project has been initiated by the Badimia Guwaga Project with Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre, Wirnda Barna Art Centre, in consultation with the Badimia community and guided by Main Roads.

Vote now for the design you would like to see installed on Badimia Country at one of the following:

Online: https://tinyurl.com/BADIMIA-COUNTRY

In person:

• Geraldton
  • Mitchell St Community Centre, 75 Mitchell St, Spalding WA 6530
  • Bundiyarra Irra Wanga Language Centre, 56 Eastward Rd, Utakarra WA 6530
• Mount Magnet
  • Youth Centre
  • Wirnda Barna Art Centre, 79 Hepburn St, Mount Magnet.

2026 On-Country Bush Meeting at the Yule River Meeting Place

Posted: May 22nd, 2026

This year’s On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River is back again for its 11^th year, to be held on Wednesday, 29 and Thursday, 30 July on Kariyarra Country at the Yule River Meeting Place.

Join us to participate in important discussions on progressing the Yule River Call to Action and Solutions Roadmap (CTA) and the 2025 Community Priorities document. These documents outline the community’s calls to action in response to previous discussions held at the event, and are aligned with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Day One is for First Nations people living in the Pilbara only, with government representatives invited to join the conversation on Day Two.

Invitations for this year’s event have now been sent to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), government, and stakeholders, along with the coordination of workshops for government agencies to meet with ACCOs and community members ahead of the July meeting to discuss specific areas of the Call to Action needing more focus, attention and consultation.

PBCs and ACCOs are also invited to get involved in this year’s event by promoting the event through their networks, hosting a stall or activity, assisting your members to attend, and/or providing financial or in-kind support to the event.

Following last year’s government commitment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Hon Don Punch MLA met with the Yule River Working Group in March this year alongside other senior government officials from the Department of Premier and Cabinet to discuss issues facing the region as well as progress in the key priority areas outlined in the CTA.

As part of his commitment, the Minister provided a detailed report against the CTA. This report will inform the work of the Yule River

Working Group as preparations continue for this year’s meeting, and will be shared with community members and ACCOs ahead of the event.

For more information and updates, keep an eye on the On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River events page.

ABS Census Field Jobs now hiring

Posted: May 8th, 2026

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is currently hiring over 30,000 people for the next Census, which will be held on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

Census Field Officers collect data which helps inform local services for the community. The ABS conducts a Census every five years, with the collected information helping government, businesses, and community groups plan for schools, health care, transport, and infrastructure.

Field Officers are needed all over Australia to ensure everyone is supported to participate and be reflected in the data, especially from regional and First Nations communities.

For the upcoming Census, ABS has a variety of temporary jobs available across YMAC’s representative areas. Field Officers can earn extra money while working flexibly across weekdays, weekends and evenings in roles including delivering Census letters and forms, answering questions from the public, and assisting households that haven’t yet responded. Some jobs can also involve managing a team of people on the ground.

Applications for Field Officer jobs are now open. The ABS is looking for a broad range of people to apply to reflect the diversity of Australian communities. No experience is required for these jobs.

Submit your application by Monday, 18 May 2026 . To apply and see all opportunities visit census.abs.gov.au/jobs.

Free three-day celebration of culture in Carnarvon this May

Posted: May 1st, 2026

Celebrate First Nations culture, community, and Country at the Gnulli Festival!

This three-day festival will be held on Yinggarda Country in Carnarvon from Friday, 22 – Sunday, 24 May, and has been developed through a partnership between Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation, Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation, and the Shire of Carnarvon.

The weekend welcomes local community members and visitors alike to a full program of theatre with Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, a community street festival with markets, cultural experiences, storytelling and live music, and an evening  celebration blending local and state music with art and food.

The lineups include Shane Howard and the Great Western Band, Caravana Sun, Kankawa Nagarra (Oliver Knight), and local acts Proud Mary and Raymond Edney. Special appearances will also be made by Brooke Blurton and Matt Moncrieff, with more to be announced.

Find out more on the Gnulli Festival website.