Pilbara Region News

Celebrate NAIDOC week!

Posted: July 8th, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Bundiyarra, Geraldton, Indigenous Arts, Indigenous Community Stories, Karratha, NAIDOC, Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963, YMAC

NAIDOC week is now well underway, and celebrations are happening all over Australia. The theme for 2013 is “We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963”.  The theme proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament. To read more about the significance of these petitions visit the official NAIDOC website.

There are a huge number of events going on across the Yamatji and Pilbara regions to celebrate NAIDOC this week. Check your local paper for a listing of events. Some highlights will be the Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd’s football carnival in Roebourne this weekend, free community events featuring food and music in Karratha on Friday and Sunday, and the NAIDOC awards celebration in South Hedland on Saturday, to name just a few.

YMAC has already been celebrating NAIDOC, with stalls at the Tom Price and Perth opening ceremonies on Sunday, as well as last week’s Bundiyarra cultural celebrations in Geraldton.

If you are in Karratha or South Hedland this week come say hello to YMAC staff at the community events on there.

Dawn service to commemorate 100 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Veterans in Service. 7 July 2013

YMAC stall at Bundiyarra cultural celebrations in Geraldton. 3 July 2013 

Download YMAC News Issue 21

Posted: June 21st, 2013

Filed under: Badimia, Dragon Energy, Indigenous Community Stories, Nyangumarta, Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Project Area, Rio Tinto, Top Iron, Ventnor Resources, Victor Mourambine, Yinhawangka, YMAC News, Yugunga-Nya

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available for download!

It features a cover story about YMAC’s work with Yamatji and Pilbara Traditional Owners to digitally record their stories on film for the Indigenous Community Stories initiative. There is news about mining agreements made between the Yugunga-Nya people and Ventnor Resources; the Yinhawangka people, Rio Tinto and Dragon Energy; as well as Badimia and Top Iron.

You can also read about the proposed Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Project Area (IPA) and the collection of the Nyangumarta people’s knowledge and stories, facts on Preservation evidence, and the management of traditional country.

There is also information on YMAC’s Community Liaison Officers, YMAC Directors, and new Co-Chair of the Board, Mr Victor Mourambine.

Click here to download YMAC News Issue 21 from our website, or browse earlier issues here.

We hope you enjoy this issue of YMAC news.

Indigenous Storybook, Midwest and Pilbara edition

Posted: May 17th, 2013

Filed under: Geraldton, Mid West, Pilbara, Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, WA Indigenous Storybook.

The Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA is launching the third edition of their Indigenous Storybook at a celebration in Geraldton next week. The book showcases the achievements of Indigenous people who have contributed to health, social, economic and environmental outcomes for their communities.

The storybook includes 13 stories from the Mid-west and Pilbara regions, told by the people involved. They cover projects such as health and environmental issues, community gardens and employment, leadership and personal journeys.

The stories highlight issues that affect Indigenous communities across the Mid-West and Pilbara regions such tobacco awareness, substance abuse, crime prevention, sustaining culture and language and youth engagement.

For more information, and to download the previous editions, visit PHAIWA’s website or email phaiwa@curtin.edu.au.

Yinhawangka People Sign Pilbara Native Title Agreement with Dragon Energy

Posted: May 10th, 2013

Filed under: Dragon Energy, Gang Xu, Hardey River., Pilbara, Pilbara Iron Project, Roma Butcher, Simon Hawkins, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yinhawangka

Click to Enlarge Yinhawangka Community Members with Representatives from Dragon Energy and YMAC

The Yinhawangka people recently announced a native title agreement with Dragon Energy, paving the way for its flagship Pilbara Iron Project.

Under the agreement, Yinhawangka consent to all activities associated with the development of an iron ore mine at Dragon’s Rocklea Central and North deposits. It also allows for further mining leases within the area.

The Agreement follows 12 months of constructive consultation and covers milestone and production payments, employment opportunities as well as cross-cultural exchanges and consultation on environmental matters.

Yinhawangka representative Roma Butcher said, “It was a pleasure doing business with Dragon Energy. Dragon’s General Manager Gang Xu was so easy to talk to and clearly has a huge respect for Yinhawangka People.

“I feel that Dragon worked with us respectfully and understood things we had to say about the Country, the flora and fauna, and how these things are important for us, our community and our health. Dragon Energy had empathy for what we are trying to achieve, and that meant that in return we also wanted to work with them. Maybe some of the Chinese cultural values that Gang Xu brought to our meetings were similar and led to understandings of our Aboriginal culture.

“Our flora and fauna are very important to us – as our Country is – and it’s good to know that Dragon Energy respects that, and respects our knowledge of the Country and the river system, and have agreed to include Yinhawangka People in ongoing environmental management.”

Dragon Energy’s Managing Director, Mr Gang Xu, commented that the parties had developed an excellent working relationship and looked forward to this continuing with the development of Pilbara Iron Project.

“Our negotiations with the Yinhawangka People have been based upon a strong mutual respect and have focussed on achieving outcomes that will benefit of both parties.

“We look forward to working with the group to develop our Pilbara Iron Project and at the same time provide opportunities to the Yinhawangka community and preserve their heritage and customs.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said, “Dragon Energy listened to concerns the Yinhawangka People had regarding impact to the Hardey River and have put in place an ongoing program to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge. Both parties showed great flexibility which has led to a strong relationship.”

Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation Shortlisted for Social Enterprise Award

Posted: May 3rd, 2013

Filed under: AAC, Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, Ashoil, Indigenous Careers, Indigenous Employment and Training, Pilbara, Pro Bono Australia, Social Enterprise Awards

YMAC would like to congratulate Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation (AAC) for being shortlisted for Pro Bono Australia’s inaugural Social Enterprise Awards.

‘Ashoil’, a commercial enterprise run by AAC, trains indigenous youth from the Pilbara region of Western Australian to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuels. The initiative has been shortlisted in the ‘Social Enterprise Innovation’ category.

The Awards celebrate commercial ventures across all sectors of the Australian economy that deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes directly to the community.

Winners will be announced in Melbourne on Tuesday 28 May, 2013.

AAC aims to benefit Aboriginal people in the Pilbara through increasing employment and enterprise opportunities, and by providing education and training services.

Click here for more information about Ashoil, and here to see Pro Bono Australia’s full Social Enterprise Awards shortlist.

For more information about AAC, please visit their website.

Registrations Still Open for 2013 Welcome to Hedland Community Expo

Posted: May 1st, 2013

Filed under: North West Telegraph., Port Hedland, Regional events, South Hedland, Town of Port Hedland, Welcome to Hedland Community Expo

There are still a couple of days left to register your organisation, group or business to take part in the 2013 Welcome to Hedland Community Expo, which takes place Friday 17 May from 5pm to 9pm at the South Hedland Town Centre.

The expo is an annual celebration of the Hedland region, giving community groups and businesses the chance to to connect with new residents and existing locals, with this year’s event shaping up to be the most exciting yet.

If you would like to host a stall, perform or do a demo at the expo, go to the Town of Port Hedland website or download a registration form here. For more information, call (08) 9158 9660.

Registrations close this Friday, 3 May.

Pilbara Indigenous Business Announces Mining Services Joint Venture

Posted: April 16th, 2013

Filed under: Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Nyiyaparli Engineering Mine and Maintenance Services, Western Plant Hire



Click to Enlarge L-R: Rear – Tom Edmonson, Luke Mateljan, Sue Bung, Francis Bung. Sitting – Ray Bushnell, Bruce Bung.

YMAC congratulates Nyiyaparli Engineering Mine & Maintenance Services Pty Ltd (NEMMS) and Western Plant Hire (WA) Pty Ltd (WPH) who have just announced an incorporated Joint Venture to conduct Plant Hire and Mining Services in the Pilbara.

NEMMS is an Aboriginal owned and run company, established in 2010 by members of the Bung family, who are Traditional Owners of Nyiyaparli country in the Pilbara.

WPH offers a complete plant hire service and Crushing Services with clients including Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) and Rio Tinto, among others. WPH have been working closely with NEMMS for the past 12 months at Fortescue Cloudbreak mine, providing several large items of mining equipment.

The joint venture agreement gives 50/50 ownership to each company and will be managed by a Board with equal representation.

Sue Bung, NEMMS Director, said the partnership was a way for her family to participate in the local economy and get back to her traditional country. “We started NEMMS because we wanted to get up and do something for ourselves. Western Plant Hire and Fortescue have really given us a start, and I’m thankful for this opportunity. It lets us get back onto Nyiyaparli country, to our songlines and sites, to keep our law and culture going. I look forward to getting our younger generation involved”.

Ray Bushnell, Chief Executive Officer, WPH said, “We have been working with NEMMs for over a year and got to know the Bung Family very well. We saw that we had similar values, that we could create a good partnership. It made sense to take things to the next level and set up a joint venture. Since day one, NEMM’s commitment to the process has never faltered. They have been so driven, keen to learn, do more and get involved in the business operations from a day-to-day perspective”.

Isak Buitendag, Fortescue Director External Affairs said that this agreement represents the culmination of 18 months of hard work and dedication by the Bung family, Western Plant Hire and Fortescue. “It is wonderful to see NEMMS reaping the benefits of their effort to secure this joint venture with Western Plant Hire to service the resources industry. We look forward to seeing this joint venture create employment opportunities and develop an economic base for the benefit of NEMMS and their community”.

Sue Bergersen, Business and Workforce Development Manager for Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, assisted NEMMS in the agreement negotiations. “This commercial arrangement is a very real and tangible example of the effort being undertaken by traditional owners in the Pilbara to change their futures. This partnership utilises current mining and market opportunities to build financial capacity, independence and employment pathways for family members”, she said. 

Perth Celebrates West Australian Aboriginal Art through Revealed Exhibition and Marketplace

Posted: April 12th, 2013

Filed under: Art Gallery of WA, Central Institute of Technology., Indigenous Arts, Perth Cultural Centre, Revealed, Revealed Exhibition and Marketplace, State Library of WA, Urban Orchard

Click to enlarge

Come down to the Revealed exhibition and marketplace in Perth this weekend for the opportunity to view and buy Aboriginal artworks directly from the artists creating them.

The Revealed exhibition presents work from new and emerging West Australian Aboriginal artists, and runs from 13 April to 4 May at the Central Institute of Technology in Northbridge.

To kick off the exhibition, the Perth Cultural Centre will come alive on Saturday 13 April with the Revealed marketplace, where visitors can both purchase art and take part in array of activities celebrating Aboriginal culture.

The State Library of WA will also be holding a free symposium in the afternoon, which explores current issues in the Indigenous art industry and highlights creativity and innovation from regional WA.

For more information on the exhibition and a list of activities taking place at the marketplace, visit www.revealed.net.au

Upcoming Indigenous Career Development Workshops and Expos in the Pilbara

Posted: April 2nd, 2013

Filed under: Bloodwood Tree Association, Indigenous Careers, Indigenous Employment and Training, Keys for Life Workshop, Pilbara, Work Ready Program

Are you interested in improving your career development skills?

The Bloodwood Tree Association is running a series of workshops and career expos in the Pilbara over the coming weeks which will enable Indigenous people to explore a range of career opportunities.

The Work Ready program, now in its second week, provides information on useful skills such as resume writing, financial management and career development. Workshops run 2-5 April 2013 and 7-11 April 2013.

Additionally, the Keys for Life workshop is a one-day ‘C’ Class Driver education program run every Thursday at the Bloodwood Tree main office in South Hedland.

For more information regarding the Work Ready and Keys for Life programs, contact Bloodwood Tree on (08) 9138 3000 or drop in to their office on 19 Hamilton Road, South Hedland.

The Hedland Career and Try-A-Trade Expo, held on Thursday 11 April 2013 at Hedland Senior High School, and the New Horizons Career Expo and Recruitment Drive, held on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at the Newman Recreation Centre, will provide students with the chance to explore career pathways and speak to representatives from many different professions.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is a non-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in South Hedland that seeks to help the Indigenous community in a variety of ways, including employment programs, services for homeless people and substance abuse programs.

For more information on the Bloodwood Tree Association workshops and training programs, visit their website, email events@bloodwoodtree or phone (08) 9138 2019.