Yamatji Region News

Yamatji Arts showcase

Posted: March 7th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Artist, ACDC Gallery, arts, Geraldton, Midwest, Yamatji.

Geraldton’s ACDC Gallery is preparing for chock-a-block year ahead.

They’ve kicked things off last month with the Yamatji Arts showcase displaying brilliant work of some of the Midwest’s Aboriginal Artists. On display are paintings, baskets and beautiful decorative pieces from a wide range of artists.

The Yamatji Arts showcase will be running until 15th March at the ACDC Gallery located at 33 Marine Tce in Geraldton. For more information on this and other upcoming exhibits click here to visit their facebook page.

CAMPFIRE YARNS WITH CLARRIE CAMERON

Posted: February 19th, 2014

Filed under: Clarrie Cameron, Free Event, Magabala Books, Perth Writers Festival, Tropical Grove, University of Western Australia, Yamatji., yarns

YMAC member and Nhanhagardi man Clarrie Cameron who launched his book Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns last September will be appearing at the Perth Writers Festival this weekend.

Clarrie will share his stories at a free event on Saturday, February 22 at 4pm at the Tropical Grove in the grounds of the University of Western Australia.

For more information click here.

Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns will be available for purchase on the day. If you’re unable to make it to the festival it is also available from all good bookshops and online from Magabala Books for $19.95.

Badimia Country Job Opportunity with Minjar Gold

Posted: December 13th, 2013

Filed under: Badimia, Minjar Gold

Minjar Gold is currently seeking to recruit an experienced Site administrator for their gold mine project located in the Gascoyne region of WA. Badimia people are invited to apply. Applications close Tuesday 17^th Dec 2013. (more…)

Land agreements give pastoral station access to Traditional Owners

Posted: December 6th, 2013

Filed under: agreements, Budina, Clive Lyndon, Emu Creek Station, Lyndon Station, Middalya Station, Pastoral leases, Towera Station

The Budina People have entered into a series of Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) with pastoralists on their traditional country, approximately 150kms east of Coral Bay.

The agreements formalise how the Traditional Owners and pastoralists will co-exist on the land. The ILUAs deal with issues of land access, protection of Budina heritage sites, and many of the practical arrangements that allow both parties to enjoy their rights to the land.

Budina Elder Clive Lyndon said, “These agreements change the relationship between our community and the station owners. It’s recognition of our connection to this country. We’re happy with this outcome.”

Click here to read the full story.

On Badimaya Country- at the WA Museum

Posted: November 14th, 2013

Filed under: Badimia, Bidi Bidi Centre, Bundiyarra Irra Wanga language program, Geraldton, Mid West Development Commission, Mount Magnet, WA Museum, Wirnda Barna Artists

On Badimaya Country is a joint photographic and language documentation project between the Combined Universities Centre for Regional Health, the Bundiyarra – Irra Wangga Language Centre in Geraldton, the Bidi Bidi Centre of the Mount Magnet community and the Mid West Development Commission via Royalties for Regions funding.

Documenting a collection of experiences captured in photo and film over a 3-month period, the On Badimaya Country exhibition highlights the beautiful Aboriginal culture and country of the Badimaya people of Mount Magnet.

The exhibition also features artworks from Badimaya artists of Wirnda Barna Artists Inc., a not-for-profit Aboriginal arts centre in Mount Magnet.

This free exhibit is on at the WA Museum in Geraldton from 15 November to 2 February 2014.

Badimia strike agreement with Minjar Gold

Posted: November 1st, 2013

Filed under: agreement, Badimia, Midwest, Minjar Gold, Mount Magnet

The Badimia People, Traditional Owners in the Mid-West of WA have signed a native title  agreement with Minjar Gold for its proposed mining operations and future expansions, approximately 400kms north-north east of Perth.

“The Badimia people are looking forward to a beneficial relationship with Minjar Gold,”  said Reg Yates, Chairperson of the Badimia Working Group. “It is important that this  agreement gives preferential contracts to Badimia businesses. That is very valuable,  because it allows us to be partners in the process, and gives Badimia people a sense of  pride.”

Click here to read the full media release, or

check out the story on ABC here.

Have your say on pastoral lease issues

Posted: October 22nd, 2013

Filed under: Carnarvon, Pastoral leases, Port Hedland, WA Parliament, WA State Government

The Standing Committee on Public Administration will hold public committee hearings for its inquiry into pastoral leases this November. The Committee will be travelling to Carnarvon for a public hearing on 5 November and to Port Hedland for a public hearing on 6 November.

The outcomes of the inquiry will impact on the way pastoral leases are administered into the future. Click here for more information and to view the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Members of the public can sit in on the hearings, but to have your say to the committee, contact Lauren Mesiti on 9222 7376 as soon as possible, as places are limited.

Preserving Badimia Language

Posted: September 19th, 2013

Filed under: Badimia, language, Ollie George

Watch this inspiring story from ABC Mid West on on Badimia Elder Ollie George and the great work being done to preserve languages in the Yamatji region…

https://vimeo.com/72701701

‘Elephants in the Bush’ Launches tomorrow at Big Sky Festival

Posted: September 12th, 2013

Filed under: Big Sky Festival, Clarrie Cameron, Elephants in the Bush, Geraldton

“Clarrie Cameron’s recently released storytelling collection is nothing less than a force of life, almost a diary of culture and history.” Darcy Hay, Midwest Times

YMAC member Clarrie Cameron, from the Nhanhagardi tribe of Champion Bay, has lived in the Midwest Region all his life, travelling around from Geraldton to Wiluna. From station life to dusty outback towns, new book of Clarrie’s campfire yarns reflect his country, culture and identity….

• A huge snake takes refuge under the body of a napping grandfather.
• One 16-year-old girl keeps 300 head of cattle together for weeks without losing a beast.
• Trackers lead police deep into the desert to find a murderer and rescue an abducted woman.

Now others can read them on the pages of his new book Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns.

Clarrie will share his book of short stories at Geraldton’s Big Sky, Readers and Writers Festival. Hear about Carrie’s experiences and get your book signed at the festival launch on Friday, September 13.

Hear Clarrie being interviewed on ABC’s Bush Telegraph here.

Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns is available from all good bookshops and online from Magabala Books for $19.95.