Pilbara

Nominate a mate for the 2013 WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards

Posted: July 11th, 2013

Filed under: Pilbara, Regional Achievement and Community Awards

WA’s Regional Achievement and Community Awards recognise the individuals, groups and businesses from the Pilbara region who have made a difference in their communities.

Anyone can nominate or be nominated for one of the 10 awards covering a broad spectrum of community contribution. You can click here for more details regarding nominations.

Award winners will receive a $2000 Smart Access Account from the Commonwealth Bank.

Nominations close on July 23.

Entry forms are available through West Regional Newspapers, Commonwealth Bank branches or online.

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.

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.

Grants for Pilbara community groups

Posted: March 25th, 2013

Filed under: community grants, Easternwell, Pilbara, regional grants

Community groups in the Pilbara are now invited to apply for grants of up to $2000 from Easternwell, a mining and energy services company with operations in the Pilbara. Applications will be considered for projects that demonstrate long lasting benefits to the community in the areas of:

• Community
• Education and Training
• Health
• Indigenous
• Safety
• Youth

For more information and to apply go to http://www.easternwell.com.au/about-us/our-community/community-grants.html Applications close on 5 April 2013.

YMAC’s Regional Director in Pilbara Exhibition

Posted: February 12th, 2013

Filed under: FORM., Peter Jeffries, Pilbara, Pilbara Stories, The Pilbrara Project

Are you interested in finding out more about life and culture in the Pilbara region of Western Australia?

Perth’s FORM gallery is currently hosting Pilbara Stories, a photographic exhibition capturing the diversity and individuality of everyday Pilbara life.

The exhibition features YMAC’s own Pilbara Regional Manager, Peter Jeffries, and is open now at the FORM gallery in Perth until 20 April 2013, and the Courthouse Gallery in Port Hedland from 15 February to 11 April 2013.

Pilbara Stories is part of FORM’s ongoing ‘Pilbara Project’, which aims to encourage local people from the region to celebrate their own unique identity.

For more information, visit the Pilbara Stories website.

Yinhawangka People Sign Native Title Agreement with Rio Tinto

Posted: February 5th, 2013

Filed under: Darren Injie, Paraburdoo, Pilbara, Rio Tinto, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yinhawangka

Yinhawangka Country

Protection of Aboriginal Culture through Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park

Posted: January 30th, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal cultural heritage., Department of Environment and Conservation, Eighty Mile Beach, Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park, Karajarri, Ngarla, Nyangumarta, Pilbara

A new marine park created to protect the natural and cultural values of the Pilbara’s Eighty Mile Beach will for the first time in Western Australia include special recognition for sites of high Aboriginal cultural significance.

The Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is the result of collaborative efforts between the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Indigenous Traditional Owners who have worked together to ensure the protection of Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia.

Click to Enlarge