YMAC's Community Liaison Officers in this month's edition of Mulga Mail

Mulga Mail recently ran a short piece outlining the role and responsibilities of YMAC's Community Liaison Officers (CLOs).

CLOs are vital in the native title process, making sure that the community understands how native title works and how they can participate in their group's decision making. In turn, they also make sure that YMAC staff and consultants understand about the community to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that culture is respected.

YMAC's CLOs are:
Geraldton: Daniel Shiosaki, Carrum Mourambine and Les Hill
Karratha: Michael Gosper
South Hedland: Nyaparu Rose and Jerry Maher
South Hedland/Tom Price: Coralie Cooke and Victor Woodley

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For more information about YMAC's work structure, please visit www.ymac.org.au

Congratulations to YMAC’s Nyaparu Rose – Landcare Award Finalist

The finalists for the 2012 National Landcare Awards have been announced, and all Australians can get involved by voting in the 'People's Choice' category.

Landcare is a community based volunteer movement made up of individuals and groups who work on managing environmental issues in their local areas. The awards aim to showcase the breadth and diversity of the work undertaken by people across the country who volunteer their time to protect Australia's land and coast.

YMAC would like to extend a special congratulations to Nyangumarta woman, Nyaparu Rose, who has been selected as a finalist. Ms Rose has worked tirelessly with Pilbara Traditional Owners to ensure their voice is heard in discussions about the management of coastal and marine environments in the region.

Ms Rose helped to establish the Pilbara Indigenous Marine Reference Group (PIMRG), which includes representatives from six Pilbara Traditional Owner groups. The PIMRG aims to consolidate traditional knowledge from the region so that Traditional Owners can more effectively conduct negotiations with government and industry on cultural and coastal protection.

If you would like to vote for Nyaparu Rose in the National Landcare Awards, click here and follow the prompts. Ms Rose is in category 7, under 'WA - Yamatji Marlpa'.

Voting closes 4pm (EST) Tuesday 4th September, and winners will be announced that day at the Awards ceremony, held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

YMAC would like to congratulate all finalists who have been nominated for an award.

Click here for more information on Nyaparu Rose's achievements, and here for a list of all the other 2012 Landcare Awards finalists.

Eighty Mile Beach management plan now open for comment

Janet Stewart, Minister Marmion and Nyaparu Rose

Last week in Broome, the WA Minister for Environment Bill Marmion released the Indicative Management Plan for the proposed Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park. Nyangumarta traditional owners Nyaparu Rose and Janet Stewart attended the announcement on friday, as the Nyanguamrta people have had a significant involvement in the development of the Plan.

In a statement, Minister Marmion said, "The proposed Eighty Mile Beach marine park will provide protection for a unique and spectacular part of the lower west Kimberley coastline, while providing for sustainable tourism use and enjoyment of the area and the maintenance of Aboriginal culture and heritage."

Eighty Mile Beach is an area rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, and it is very important to the Nyangumarta people to use their vast traditional knowledge to manage the area responsibly.

The Management Plan, which will guide management of the park for the next ten years, is now open for public comment until 20 January, 2012. For more information or to download the Management Plan, go to http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6717/2323/ .

YMAC News issue 15 is here

YMAC is pleased to share the latest issue of YMAC News, which is now available It is filled with information about the great work being done by traditional owners and YMAC staff across the two YMAC regions.

Issue 15 of our newsletter highlights native title agreements for the Kariyarra and Gnulli people, a major step forward for the Bunjima people, some impressive achievements by YMAC staff and our organisation's firm resolve on the issue of constitutional recognition for Australia's original inhabitants.

We hope you enjoy the 15th issue of YMAC News.

Click here to download an electronic version  or email srosenfeld@ymac.org.au to request hard copies for yourself, your family, your business or workplace.

Nyaparu Rose features in North West Telegraph

This week, Nyaparu Rose featured in the North West Telegraph and The West online where she discussed her recent State Land Care Award for the Pilbara Sea Country Project and her plans for Nyangumarta self determination.

To view the article, click here or open attached PDF;

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/pilbara/a/-/news/10208628/rose-wins-care-award/

YMAC wins National Landcare Award

YMAC's Senior Community Liaison Officer, Nyaparu Rose, has today won the 'Leighton Holdings Indigenous Award' at the 2011 WA Landcare Awards.

The awards are part of a conference being held in conjunction with the 7th International Symposium on Digital Earth (ISDE7) at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Nyaparu Rose was nominated by YMAC for her work with Traditional Owners on the Pilbara Sea Country Plan project. Congratualtions Nyaparu on your success and we look forward to soon hearing more news about the successful project.