Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Exmouth Gulf Taskforce Final Report released – ‘whole-of-gulf’ marine park recommendation adopted

Posted: September 5th, 2025

It has been another wonderful day of celebration for Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation (NTGAC) – representing the culmination of several years’ work to better protect and manage Exmouth Gulf and its surrounds.

Recognising the internationally significant values of the area, the State Government has announced it will create a ‘whole-of-gulf’ marine park, which is to be jointly vested with and managed by NTGAC. This announcement was in response to the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce’s Final Report, which was released by the State Government today.

YMAC is extremely proud to have assisted NTGAC throughout the taskforce process and congratulates all who were involved in achieving this incredibly important outcome.

L-R: Member for the Pilbara Kevin Michel, Minister for the Environment Matthew Swinbourn, WA Premier Roger Cook, NTGAC Vice Chair Rachael Cooyou-Hicks, NTGAC Chair Karla Tittums, Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) CEO Paul Gamblin (Photo: Radhika Kayarat, YMAC)

Join us in congratulating Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation!

Posted: August 29th, 2025

Today, we congratulate Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation (NTGAC) and the Baiyungu and Yinnigurrura Peoples, as they celebrate the formal creation of new conservation estate on their Country.

The related Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) enables the creation of reserves, which include Jarralya National Park and Boologooro Nature Reserve. Together, these areas cover around 380,000 hectares of Country in the Gascoyne region.

Through the State Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, these areas will be jointly managed by NTGAC and the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

YMAC is proud to have been part of achieving this important milestone and acknowledges all of the hard work contributed by everyone involved in accomplishing it.

Jarralya National Park (Photo: Adrienne Cameron, YMAC)

Regional Aboriginal Events funding applications now open

Posted: August 20th, 2025

Applications have opened for Tourism WA’s Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme, supporting events across WA.

Funding between $5,000 and $40,000 is available towards regional events held in the state between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.  The funding is designed to attract visitors to regional areas, support economic growth in the regions, raise the profile of regions throughout WA, and promote wellbeing for regional communities.

To be eligible, the event must include Aboriginal activities and experiences through the leadership and participation of Aboriginal people.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 19 September 2025.

Find out more, including how to apply, on the Tourism WA Corporate website.

CHANGE OF VENUE – Yamatji On Country Mullewa Community Consultation

Posted: August 13th, 2025

PLEASE NOTE: The Yamatji On Country Community Consultation due to be held at the Mullewa Town Hall on Thursday 14 August 2025 has had a change of venue. The consultation will now be held at the following location:

Mullewa
Date: Thursday, 14 August 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Mullewa District Office, Corner Padbury St & Thomas St, Mullewa

This year, YMAC’s Yamatji Regional Committee offered a new way to connect with community ahead of the annual Yamatji On-Country event. Additional to the one central event, we’ve been hitting the road – hosting a series of community consultation workshops in Carnarvon, Meekatharra and Mt Magnet so far, with the final stop Mullewa! 

These sessions will build on the priorities raised in the 2024 Yamatji on Country Call to Action, focusing on:

• Systemic Change
• Housing & Accommodation
• Police & Justice
• Employment, Training & Economic Development
• Racism
• Education
• Health & Wellbeing

Why Get Involved?

• Have your say– Share your experiences and what matters to your community.
• Stay informed– Hear what’s happening on the ground and where things are headed.
• Drive solutions– Contribute ideas for Aboriginal-led change to be brought forward at the 2025 On-Country event.

This is your chance to be part of a movement that’s community-driven, culturally grounded, and focused on real change.

About the On-Country event
The Yamatji On-Country meeting is an annual forum created by and for First Nations people from across the region. Coordinated by YMAC, it responds to the Yamatji Regional Committee’s vision of a platform where community can come together to voice concerns, identify common goals, and propose solutions that are rooted in Country, culture, and community.

From 2022 to 2024, the gathering was held over two days at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation on Southern Yamatji Country in Geraldton. For 2025, we’ve expanded our approach—bringing more voices into the conversation by holding the community workshops ahead of the event.

Yamatji Regional Voices: Shaping the 2025 On-Country Gathering

Posted: August 4th, 2025

This year, YMAC’s Yamatji Regional Committee is offering a new way to connect with community ahead of the annual Yamatji On-Country event. Additional to the one central event, we’re hitting the road – hosting a series of community consultation workshops across the Yamatji region.

In August, workshops are being held in Meekatharra, Mt Magnet, and Mullewa, giving local people a chance to share their views, raise important issues, and help guide the direction of the 2025 On-Country gathering in Geraldton in September.

Workshop Schedule

Meekatharra
Date: Tuesday, 12 August 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Meekatharra Town Hall, Corner Main St & Savage St

Mt Magnet
Date: Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Anzac Hall, Corner Hepburn St & Naughton St

Mullewa
Date: Thursday, 14 August 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Mullewa Town Hall, Corner Maitland Rd & Jose St

These sessions will build on the priorities raised in the 2024 Yamatji on Country Call to Action, focusing on:

• Systemic Change
• Housing & Accommodation
• Police & Justice
• Employment, Training & Economic Development
• Racism
• Education
• Health & Wellbeing

Why Get Involved?

• Have your say – Share your experiences and what matters to your community.
• Stay informed – Hear what’s happening on the ground and where things are headed.
• Drive solutions – Contribute ideas for Aboriginal-led change to be brought forward at the 2025 On-Country event.

This is your chance to be part of a movement that’s community-driven, culturally grounded, and focused on real change.

About the On-Country event
The Yamatji On-Country meeting is an annual forum created by and for First Nations people from across the region. Coordinated by YMAC, it responds to the Yamatji Regional Committee’s vision of a platform where community can come together to voice concerns, identify common goals, and propose solutions that are rooted in Country, culture, and community.

From 2022 to 2024, the gathering was held over two days at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation on Southern Yamatji Country in Geraldton. For 2025, we’re expanding our approach—bringing more voices into the conversation by holding community workshops ahead of the event.

Deadly Jobs Expo

Posted: August 4th, 2025

The Deadly Jobs Expo will be held on Friday, 22 August.

The expo provides a space for First Nations people to meet face-to-face with local employers, ask questions, and explore new career pathways. A range of First Nations owned businesses will be there on the day, as well as live entertainment, a free community BBQ, prizes, and loads of job opportunities.

The event will run from 10.00am – 3.00pm at the North Metropolitan Tafe East Perth Campus, 140 Royal Street, East Perth.

Find out more on the North Metro Tafe website.

UPDATE: Free Aboriginal Family History Information Sessions for the Mid West in August – CANCELLED

Posted: July 30th, 2025

Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) has recently announced that, due to low registration numbers, the Aboriginal family history sessions scheduled for Mount Magnet, Mullewa, Meekatharra, Cue, Morawa and Yalgoo – and previously shared via various YMAC communication channels – have been cancelled.

The two Geraldton sessions on Friday, 8 August will still take place:

• Morning: 10am-12pm at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation
• Afternoon: 1.30-3.30pm at Geraldton Multipurpose Centre

And a new online session has been added, taking place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 5 August (10:30am-12:30pm).

For more information, and/or to register your attendance at any of the remaining sessions, contact Duane Kelly (P: 08 9427 3473; E: ahwa.outreach@cits.wa.gov.au).

Weekly Badimia Community Language Classes

Posted: July 23rd, 2025

As part of the Badimia Guwaga Project – and facilitated by linguists, educators and advanced language learners and speakers – the weekly Badimia language classes provide an opportunity to learn and practice using Badimia with others.

The classes are held in-person and online every Wednesday (10:30am-12:30pm (AWST)).

Join in-person by attending the Mount Magnet Youth Centre or Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language (Geraldton), or online via Microsoft Teams (meeting ID 453 458 790 213 8; passcode we2ca35y).

For more information contact Bundiyarra Irra Wannga Language Centre (P: (08) 9920 7900; E: language@irrawangga.org.au), or Project Coordinators Dr Kiara Rahman (kiara24@live.com.au) and Cecilia Kelly (cecilia.kelly@gsac.org.au).

Free Aboriginal Family History Information Sessions for the Mid West in August

Posted: July 21st, 2025

Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) and the State Library of WA Storylines are travelling to the Mid West for a series of free Aboriginal Family History Information Sessions this August.

The AHWA team can assist First Nations people in accessing information about themselves and their direct ancestors that is held in restricted State Government records. WA Storylines is an online archive with more than 12,000 images and other documents which can help people find information about First Nations people in WA.

The free sessions will provide attendees with information on the historical records kept by agencies, and will provide an opportunity to request copies of family history records.

Aboriginal Family History Sessions will be held at the following times and locations:

• Morawa – Monday, 4 August (2-4pm) at Morawa Community Resource Centre
• Yalgoo – Tuesday, 5 August (10am-12pm) at Yalgoo Arts Centre
• Mount Magnet – Tuesday, 5 August (2.30-4.30pm) at Mt Magnet Recreation Centre
• Meekatharra – Wednesday, 6 August (9.30-11.30am) at Meekatharra Sports Complex
• Cue – Wednesday, 6 August (2-4pm) at Cue Shire Hall
• Mullewa – Thursday, 7 August (1-3pm) at Mullewa Community Resource Centre
• Geraldton – Friday, 8 August (10am-12pm) at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation
• Geraldton – Friday, 8 August (1.30-3.30pm) at Geraldton Multipurpose Centre

Find out more and register on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website, or refer to the information provided in this flyer.