Pilbara Region News

Will you join us?

Posted: September 24th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Yule River

The State Government’s proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act will lead to even weaker protection for Aboriginal heritage sites than we have now. Join us this Friday 26 September to show the State that Aboriginal people care about their heritage and need to have a say in what happens to it.

All Aboriginal people from WA are invited to attend an on-Country meeting at the traditional Yule River meeting place (55kms south of Port Hedland) at 11 am this Friday to discuss the proposed changes. You will have a chance to ask questions, and listen to speakers ranging from respected elders to academics and politicians.

Click here for more information about the meeting and about the issues.

It’s time to strengthen Aboriginal heritage protection

Posted: September 12th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA), heritage protection, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Petition, WA State Government

Join us in petitioning the State Government

As you probably know, YMAC is organising a meeting on Country on 26 September 2014 to discuss the proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, at the request of the Pilbara Regional Committee.

We are now circulating a petition urging the State Government to develop a meaningful framework for reform of the Act that empowers Aboriginal people and builds on previous reviews of Aboriginal heritage legislation.

Click here to download your copy of the petition.

This petition is not limited to the Aboriginal community. Please circulate it as widely as possible, through your professional and personal networks, to make an impact on the WA State Government.

Original signatures (not scans) need to be returned to YMAC at PO Box 3072, 249 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6892 by 31 October 2014 so it can be presented to the State Parliament.

For more information on the changes or the reviews referred to in the petition, go to www.aboriginalheritage.net.au.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you on 26 September at Yule River.

Applications open for the SKILLED student vacation program

Posted: September 11th, 2014

Filed under: Karratha, Mining, Opportunities, Pilbara, Rio Tinto, SKILLED, Vacation employment

SKILLED and Rio Tinto are offering students aged 15+ the opportunity to engage in vacation employment over the summer school holidays. Placements will be with the Iron Ore Ports division with two areas available – Clerical and Workshop / Trades Assistant.

There are two employment rounds available:

• Group 1:  8 December to 19 December 2014 (Year 11&12 only)
• Group 2:  5 January to 16 January 2014 (Year 10,11 & 12)

Placements are only available to students who live locally. To apply contact the SKILLED Karratha branch for an application form on  (08) 9186 7100 or email karratha@skilled.com.au

NITV Documentary – Our Footprint

Posted: August 12th, 2014

Filed under: Badimaya, Film and Television Institute WA, Indigenous Community Stories initiative, Jurruru, NITV, ScreenWest, Wajarri

Tomorrow night NITV will be showing the documentary Our Footprint featuring Wajarri Traditional Owner Ross Boddington.

The film is part of the Indigenous Community Stories initiative, a joint project from ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton, Ngarda and the Film and Television Institute (FTI) WA. The initiative has captured many stories from across Western Australia. Among them are stories from Jurruru, Wajarri and Badimaya. For more information on the project click here to visit the FTI website.

Our Footprint with Ross Boddington will be shown on NITV at 7.30pm, 13th August.

Bloodwood Tree Career Expo in Hedland

Posted: August 1st, 2014

Filed under: Bloodwood Tree Association, Career Expo, Port Hedland

Bloodwood Tree Association is holding a Career and Try-A-Trade Expo at the Hedland Senior High School oval on 29 August 2014, from 8:30 am – 2pm. The Expo is an annual event to allow people to explore a wide range of career opportunities on offer in Port Hedland and beyond.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is an Aboriginal Corporation established in 1977 which helps support the community in many ways, including training and work ready programs, substance abuse support, and support for the homeless. For more information on the Career and try-A-Trade Expo email hradmin@bloodwoodtree.org.au or call 9138 3000.

YMAC News issue 24 now available for download

Posted: June 16th, 2014

Filed under: Banjima, Gnulli, High Court of Australia, Kuruma Marthudunera, Ngarla, YMAC News

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available for you to download. Our cover story is about the Banjima people’s on-country native title determination at Karijini National Park, and includes lots of photos from the day.

There is also a story about a significant win in the High Court by the Ngarla people that will have ramifications for native title claims nation-wide.

The Kurama and Marthudunera people and the Gnulli people have both entered into agreements with resource companies that are featured in this issue.

Click here to read these stories and more.

You can send your feedback to editor@ymac.org.au. Thank you for reading this issue of YMAC News!

Congratulations to Miss NAIDOC winner Ashlea Walley

Posted: June 5th, 2014

Filed under: Miss NAIDOC, NAIDOC, Nyiyaparli, Yamatji.

On Saturday 24th May Noongar/Yamatji woman Ashlea Walley was announced as 2014 Miss NAIDOC Perth at the final ceremony held in the Perth Concert Hall.

Ashlea joined nine other finalists from across the state including Yamatji woman Jaimee Coster and Noongar/Nyiyaparli woman Amy Groves in celebrating the completion of the Miss NAIDOC leadership and empowerment program.

YMAC would like to congratulate Ashlea and all the Miss NAIDOC finalist on their achievement.

Durack Institute of Technology Class of 2013

Posted: May 9th, 2014

Filed under: Carnarvon, Durack Institute of Technology, Education, Exmouth, Geraldton, Graduation, Indigenous Education

On Friday 28th March, Durack Institute of Technology held its annual ceremony for the graduating students and award winners at Geraldton Grammar School.

The Class of 2013 saw almost 2000 students graduate with from  a range of courses with graduates coming from towns across the west coast including Geraldton, Carnarvon and Exmouth.

As part of the celebrations a number of awards were presented to students, including the Aboriginal Student of the Year Award. Among four finalist Regina Richardson was named the winner of the 2013 Rio Tinto Aboriginal Student of the Year.

Congratulations to Regina and all the 2013 Graduates from Durack Institute of Technology.

For more information the Durack Institute of Technology visit their website.

Kuruma Marthudunera Traditional Owner Jason Masters recognised for excellence

Posted: May 8th, 2014

Filed under: 40under40, awards, Business News, Community, Kuruma Marthudunera

Kuruma Marthudunera Traditional Owner, Jason Masters, has been recognised for excellence at the 40 under 40 awards hosted by Business News.

Jason was recognised for his strong commitment to his community and for success in managing the trustee company Kuruma Marthudunera Limited on behalf of his people. Through his work Jason is involved in the management, governance and distribution of financial benefits arising from the negotiation between mining companies and the Kuruma Marthudunera people.

Congratulations to Jason on his outstanding achievement and his ongoing dedication to the Kuruma Marthudunera community.