Celebrate NAIDOC week!

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 

YMAC Christmas Shutdown and Heritage Surveys

For many Aboriginal Communities in the Midwest and Pilbara, December to January is a special time of year to observe cultural obligations and practices.

Out of respect for these traditions, YMAC will not be conducting any heritage surveys between Monday 17 December 2012 and Friday 1 February 2013.

Any heritage survey requests received after 17 December will be scheduled to commence after 1 February.

Thank you for your understanding.

All YMAC offices in Perth, Geraldton, Karratha, South Hedland and Tom Price will be closed during the festive season from Thursday 20th December 2012, re-opening on Wednesday 2 January 2013.

YMAC’s Board of Directors, Pilbara and Yamatji Regional Committees, Management and Staff would like to wish you a happy and safe festive season.

Congratulations to all players in this year’s Wadjemup Cup!

On Saturday 10th November, students from Clontarf Football Academies from across the State competed in a round robin AFL football competition held on the Sports Oval Rottnest Island. The students were selected to participate in the Wadjemup Cup based on their school attendance, commitment to their studies and upholding the values and behaviours of their respective academies.

The carnival saw involving approximately 120 students aged 12 to 15 years, competing as 5 teams from around the state:

• Superstars (Northam, Yule Brook and Coodanup),
• Titans (Carnarvon & Midwest),
• Allies (Katanning, South West & Great Southern),
• Stingrays (Roebourne, Karratha & South East)
• Swans (Clontarf, Goldfiekds and Gilmore)  

For more information on this and Clontarf's many other programs, visit www.clontarf.org.au

 

Pilbara women meet African women in mining



photo courtesy AAPF / AusAID

 

Last week, senior women from Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation met with a visiting delegation of women involved in mining and development issues from various nations across Africa.

 

The delegation included representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Madagascar and Mozambique. The group visited the Pilbara as part of a Mining Study Tour funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Organisers of the tour included the International Mining for Development Centre and the Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility.

 

The women came together in Karratha to share their experiences working with the mining industry at local, regional and national levels.  They also discussed significant expansion of the mining, and oil and gas industries in Africa, the long history of mining on traditional Aboriginal country in the Pilbara and the challenge of channelling the benefits of these industries into sustainable community development.

 

Njamal elder and Co-Chair of Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Mrs Doris Eaton, said the meeting was an excellent opportunity to learn more about women leading their communities in Africa, and share the experiences of mining and development in the Pilbara.

Singers and Stall Holders Wanted for the Red Earth Arts Festival 2012

The Red Earth Arts Festival 2012 kicks off later next month in the Shire of Roebourne, and organisers are seeking people to perform in a mass choir at the 'Voices and Lights' event taking place on Sunday 2 September 2012 at Hearson's Cove.

You don't need to be a 'singer' to join the choir, just the enthusiasm to take part!

There will be a series of rehearsals leading up to the event, starting on Monday 20 August 2012. For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Tangiora Hinaki on 0437 921 445 or email reafchoir@gmail.com

Organisers are also looking for stall holders to take part in the Karratha Community Celebration, which will be held on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September 2012. The KCC is will be the final event of the festival, and is expected to attract an audience of over 5000 local community members.

This is a great opportunity for you to sell and showcase your wares. Both food and crafts-related stalls are welcome, and community/sporting groups who are looking to attract new members are also encouraged to apply.

If you are interested, please contact Tamsin Young on 0414 540 900 or email tamsin.y@paninternational.com.au by Friday 3 August 2012 to apply.

The Red Earth Arts Festival 2012, run by PAN International, will take place from 31st August to 23rd September 2012 across Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson.

Under this year's theme, “Bringing the World to the Pilbara", the REAF aims to give both local and external artists from a wide range of backgrounds the chance to exhibit their work. The festival will present creative and professional development workshops, performances from local arts and cultural groups, and entertainment from across the country. For more information, visit the festival's website.

Are You The Next Pilbara Girl?

The final heats for Pilbara Girl 2012 are coming up, and after the success of this week's workshops in Port Hedland, there are still a few places left to be in the running for the crown.

Workshops will be run in Roebourne from Monday 23rd July to Friday 27th July, followed by a final heat on the Friday evening at 7pm. The workshops and heat will both take place at the Roebourne Community Hall.

The final contestants will then attend workshops in Karratha the following week from Monday 30th July to Friday 3rd August at the Youth Shed, before partaking in the final pageant on Friday 3rd August at 7pm, at the Tambrey Centre, Karratha.

The workshops aim to promote leadership skills and build self confidence, while the pageants showcase the beauty of our local Indigenous women and culture to the wider community.

Indigenous women aged 16 to 25 from Karratha, Roebourne and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply. If you are interested, please contact Nommie Wade on (08) 9195 5333, or email events@gme.com.au

The program is also looking for volunteers for the Roebourne final heat on the 27th July, and the Karratha final pageant on the 3rd August. Six ladies are needed to help the girls change backstage on both nights.

There is also the opportunity for community groups to fundraise on each night.

The organisers are additionally looking for an Indigenous person to share their personal journey with the girls during the workshops. If you have a story about overcoming obstacles that you think will inspire his year's Pilbara Girls, please contact Tangiora Hinaki on 0437 921 445, or email hinakihard@bigpond.com 

For more information on previous Pilbara Girl programs, visit Goolarri Media's website.

Community Grants available through resource companies

Applications are now open for community grants from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt.

BHP Billiton's Community Grants Program provides financial assistance for initiatives that enhance community life in the areas of Indigenous wellbeing, environment, twonship amenity, quality education, health and wellbeing and community involvement.

Applications for BHP's Community Grants Program close on 1 May. For more information email waironorecommunity@bhpbilliton.com or call 9173 6680 (Port Hedland), 9175 3505 (Newman) or 6224 4243 (Perth)

Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt is offering financial assistance to short-term community projects in the Carnarvon, Dampier, Karratha and Port Hedland areas that are unique, innovative, address community and education issues, or require infrastructure.

Applications for Dampier Salt's Community Grants Scheme close on 29 June. For more information visit the Dampier Salt website, or call 9270 9252

Computers available for low income families in the Pilbara

Families in Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, South Hedland and Port Hedland can now apply to the Smith Family to receive a refurbished home computer, a four-week basic computer training course, and a year of internet access, all for free.

The Smith Family’s Technology Packs initiative, in partnership with Royalties for Regions and BHP Billiton, was designed to provide families with a computer connected to the internet at home at an affordable cost. To be eligible, families must have school aged children, have proof of low income status (health care or pension concession card), and not already own a home computer.

The Smith Family is a children's charity that helps disadvantaged children. Click here to learn more about the Smith Family.

The "Tech Pack Project" aims to improve community digital literacy, equipping children and their families who may otherwise not be able to afford computers, with the technological skills that are now prerequisites for participation in lifelong learning and social inclusion.

According to the Smith Family, research shows that access to ICT (information, communication and technology) can increase study and employment opportunities for parents and young people, improve the capacity of parents to support children at school, increase the engagement of children at school, and improve individual’s self-esteem and overall wellbeing.

To find out more about the Tech Packs Project, or to register for a computer, contact Daphne Trevurza or Carol Warren (Karratha) on 9144 1854 or tsfkarratha@thesmithfamily.com.au,  or Nia Hadenfeldt  (Hedland) on 9172 2408 or tsfhedland@thesmithfamily.com.au

The search is on for the next Pilbara Girl

The Pilbara Girl workshops and competition are back again for 2012 and the search is now on for the next group of contestants.

Indigenous women aged 16-25 from Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and surrounding communities are encouraged to enter. The Pilbara Girl program, now in its third year, is based on the successful Kimberley Girl program that has been running since 2004.

The contestants participate in a series of workshops in Port Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne promoting leadership skills and self confidence. The workshops are followed by pageants that give the girls new skills and opportunities and promote Indigenous culture within the wider community.

For more information and to download an entry form visit Goolarri Media's website.

Aboriginal theatre company is coming to the Pilbara



Good Lovin' cast members Alyssa Thompson,

Zac James, Shakira Clanton and Ian Wilkes.

Photo courtesy of Yirra Yaakin 

Perth-based Indigenous theatre company Yirra Yaakin is coming to the Pilbara this week to present Good Lovin', an original commission by the WA Health Department, written by Palyku playwright David Milroy.

The play will be presented for free to schools and communities in the Pilbara region from 20-23 September 2011.

David Milroy is an award-winning playwright (Waltzing the Wilarra, Windmill Baby), and has written Good Lovin' to promote positive lifestyle choices.  

The Good Lovin' performance will be followed by a theatre and health workshop to encourage and support young people to make choices about what’s right for them by using hip hop and humour.

The performance and workshop program of Good Lovin' will visit schools and local communities in Karratha on 20 September, Roebourne on 22 September, and Onslow on 23 September.

For more information visit http://www.yirrayaakin.com.au/

A chance for Pilbara young women to shine

Pilbara Girl is an annual event which aims to showcase the beauty of local Indigenous women to the world and reflect the diverse culture and heritage of the Pilbara communities. Through professional development, deportment and grooming and modeling workshops, young women build confidence, self-esteem and pride to become the next role models and mentors for these communities.

All young Indigenous women between the ages of 16 and 25 from Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and surrounding communities are called to participate.
The workshops will be held in Port Hedland August 15-19 and Roebourne and Karratha on August 22-26.

Entry forms are available from Goolarri Media. Deadlines for entry are August 7 for Port Hedland and Roebourne and August 14 for Karratha.

For more information contact Buna-Tuaty Poelina on 08 91955333 or buna-tuaty.poelina@gme.com.au

NAIDOC profile: The Bartlett Brothers

The Bartlett Brothers is an Indigenous rock band made up of sing-songwriter multi instrumentalists Phil and Jason Bartlett, their younger brother Azrael on drums and bassist Rob Findlay. They describe their music as “soulful rootsy pop rock sounds with soaring harmonies”, and they draw imagery and inspiration from their country and heritage.

Set to be stars of NAIDOC in WA this year, the band is appearing at NAIDOC festivals in Perth and Karratha. “NAIDOC is important for everyone, not just indigenous people,” said Phil Bartlett. “It gives everyone a chance to feel indigenous culture.”

The Bartlett Brothers are no strangers to travelling up to the Pilbara. Although their family’s roots are in the Midwest and the Southwest regions of WA, the brothers went to schools in the Pilbara and the Kimberley. They have had plenty of chances to go back and visit, as the hard-working band has been playing gigs and touring for many years.

“What I’m most proud of is how hard we’ve worked. We’re now becoming recognised and well known, and it’s all through hard work. We’ve been doing this for fifteen years, it didn’t just happen,” said Phil.

The band is gaining plenty of recognition, as their list of awards keeps growing. They have received awards from the Too Solid Awards, WA Music Industry, NAIDOC, and Next Best Thing, and Jason made it to the top 24 of Australian Idol.

Phil says that the band draws inspiration from Indigenous musicians that came before them, like Archie Roach, who will also be performing at the Karratha NAIDOC community festival. “To be playing with Archie Roach is fantastic. Back when he started out it was pretty hard for Aboriginal musicians, but people like him set the way for us,” said Phil. “Indigenous music is getting bigger and bigger. There are more pathways, more money, more opportunities for Indigenous artists, and more and more of us are touring, recording albums, and putting up websites. It’s only a matter of time before the next big Aboriginal act becomes a household name.”

You can see the Bartlett Brothers at the Perth NAIDOC ball on Friday, 8 July and at the Karratha NAIDOC closing community festival on Sunday, 10 July.

Across Australia every July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In honour of NAIDOC 2011 YMAC is featuring a series of Aboriginal people and organisations that contribute to the vibrant Aboriginal culture of the Midwest and Pilbara. For more information on NAIDOC including its history and events happening near you, visit http://www.naidoc.org.au/.  



Applications open for Community Liaison Officers

YMAC is seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals who have a strong desire to work with Aboriginal communities within the Yamatji and Pilbara regions and advancing their interests through the native title process.


There are positions based in YMAC's Geraldton, Karratha and South Hedland Offices.

You would be working to ensure claimants are informed and can participate in the management of their native title claims. You would also be acting as a source of information to the community about the organisation, the native title act and other relevant matters.

To be considered for this position, you must address briefly in your letter the following selection criteria:

• Ability to effectively and sensitively communicate and work within a team environment

• Excellent verbal, written, communication skills

• Proficiency with computers

• Good understanding of Aboriginal people, their culture and decision making processes

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills

• Current unrestricted manual ‘C’ class license is essential.

For further information about this position, please contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000.

Under S.50 (d) of the Equal Opportunity Act, an applicant’s Indigenous background is a genuine occupational qualification.

Job descriptions and an application form are available on our website www.yamatji.org.au, or contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000 or email jobs@ymac.org.au.

All applications must include a covering letter, completed application form, resume, and a statement addressing the selection criteria.

Applications can be posted to PO Box 3072, 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000, faxed to (08) 9268 7049 or emailed to jobs@ymac.org.au


Closing date for the above positions is 4.00pm Friday 20th May 2011