Yamatji Region News

Opportunity to tell your stories

Posted: August 16th, 2013

Filed under: Film and Television Institute (FTI), Indigenous Community Stories, Ngarda Civil and Mining, Rio Tinto, ScreenWest

The Film & Television Institute (FTI) in partnership with ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton and Ngarda Civil & Mining is calling for applications from Indigenous communities, families and individuals who are interested in recording, preserving and archiving the stories, accomplishments and reflections of their community members.

Indigenous Community Stories is an initiative, which is aiming to film 100 Western Australian Indigenous stories and digitally archive them for future generations to view over the next 100 years and beyond. FTI is keen to hear from community coordinators or representatives who want to have their community’s stories recorded.

To find out more and to get your application, visit the FTI website. Applications are due on 6 September.

Toby Smirke filmed by FTI on Jurruru country

Earlier this year, YMAC participated in this initiative in three different communities. Check out some of the photos here, or read more below:

 Pilbara Traditional Owners record stories for future generations

Yamatji stories preserved for future generations

Murchison Astrofest 2013

Posted: August 9th, 2013

Filed under: CSIRO, Murchison Astrofest, Murchison Shire

Stargazing and Yamatji culture are coming together at Murchison Settlement for the 2013 Murchison Astrofest. CSIRO and the Shire of Murchison are bringing together science and traditional culture in a day and night of talks, films, bush tucker, music, camping, and of course, stargazing.

Bookings are essential, so make sure to complete your registration form and send it to Priscilla.clayton@csiro.au.

To find out more about the event, visit the Astrofest website here or contact (08) 9923 7755.

Grants for Geraldton community groups

Posted: August 5th, 2013

Filed under: City of Greater Geraldton's Community Grants Program, community grants, Geraldton

The next round of Community Grants from the City of Greater Geraldton is now open. The aim of these grants is to provide assistance to local community groups and organisations that make positive contributions to the quality of life in the Greater Geraldton region. Community groups that need funding for programs or equipment are encouraged to apply.

The closing date for applications in 22 August 2013. For more information visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au/residents/grants or call 9956 6993.

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 

Wajarri Yamatji Liaision Officer wanted in Geraldton

Posted: June 25th, 2013

Filed under: Geraldton, Indigenous Employment and Training, Mid West, Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd, Wajarri Yamatji

Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd (SMCL) are currently seeking a Geraldton-based Wajarri Yamatji Liaison Officer.

For details of the position and application requirements, please visit the SMCL employment page.

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.

Nominations for 2013 Mid West NAIDOC Awards closing soon

Posted: June 20th, 2013

Filed under: Geraldton, Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre, Indigenous Awards, Indigenous Communities., Mid West, Mid West NAIDOC Awards, NAIDOC week 2013

Do you know someone who deserves a NAIDOC award?

Time to get those submissions in, as nominations for the 2013 Mid West NAIDOC Awards close 5pm tomorrow, Friday 21 June.

The annual awards recognise outstanding achievements made by Indigenous Australians to improve the lives of Indigenous people, or promote Indigenous issues in the wider community.

If you know someone in your community who deserves to be recognised for their contribution, complete a nomination form in one of the following categories:

• Scholar of the Year
• Male Community Service of the Year
• Female Community Service of the Year
• Apprenticeship Award
• Musician of the Year
• Artist of the Year
• Hall of Fame
• Male Elder of the Year
• Female Elder of the Year
• Reconciliation Award
• Community Service Volunteer
• Youth of the Year
• Non-Indigenous Male Person of the Year
• Non-Indigenous Female Person of the Year
• Sportsperson of the Year

Nominations can be obtained from Laine-Rose Forsyth at the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre by emailing laine@edcentre.wa.edu.au

For more information about NAIDOC Week 2013, visit the NAIDOC website.

YMAC Congratulates Les Hill for Works Showcased in 2013 Good Heart Art

Posted: June 14th, 2013

Filed under: Good Heart 2013, Indigenous Arts, Les Hill, Mid West, Mullewa, Murchison., Oakajee Port and Rail Good Heart Aboriginal Art Project, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, YMAC

YMAC would like to congratulate one of our Community Liaison Officers, Les Hill, for being chosen to exhibit his artwork in the 2013 Good Heart Mid-West Art Exhibition, which finishes up in Perth this evening.

His collection of pieces reflects the everlasting wildflowers unique to his home town of Mullewa and the Murchison River.

This has been Good Heart Art’s sixth exhibition sponsored by Oakajee Port and Rail, and almost 200 pieces from over 50 new and established mid-west artists were showcased.
For more information on this year’s event, visit the Good Heart website.

If you would like to know more about Les and other YMAC Community Liaison Officers, read our blog post from March this year.

Seeing Stars SKA Art Prize 2013

Posted: June 7th, 2013

Filed under: 2013 National Congress, ASKAP, MRO, Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, Seeing Stars SKA Art Prize 2013, SKA, Square Kilometre Array, Wajarri Yamatji, Yarra Gallery

When completed, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be the world’s largest telescope, giving astronomers remarkable insights into the formation of the early universe.

Under the joint hosting arrangements in the international SKA program, Australia will host the SKA’s survey telescope at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), which is on traditional Wajarri Yamatji country in the Mid West region of Western Australia.

In celebration of this exciting event, the Department of Innovation are holding Seeing Stars, a national art competition where artists are invited to create pieces which express the SPA’s potential for discovery.

• The birth of stars and galaxies
• The mysteries of dark energy
• Alien life
• The genius of Einstein
• Giant magnetic fields of space

Entries close 11:59pm AEST, Friday 5 July 2013.

The exhibition of winners and finalists will be held in early August at the Yarra Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne.

For application eligibility requirements, visit the SKA website.