Cross-border region of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory: The Anangu women of Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Aboriginal Corporation (NPY Women’s Council) know what they’re doing.
Founding members Nyurapaya Kaika Burton, Janet Forbers, Olive Nyalpingka Duncan Lawson, Nellie Patterson, Lala West, Ilawanti Ken and Panjiti McKenzie
Narooma, New South Wales: Seven years ago, the outlook for Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services (Katungul) was gloomy. Having provided holistic and culturally-appropriate wellbeing services for Aboriginal people on the south coast since 1993, the corporation was running at a loss. Today, Katungul has a new story to tell.
Robert Skeen, Katungul CEO
Moree, New South Wales: Yaama Ganu Aboriginal Corporation is a well-connected not-for-profit Aboriginal art gallery and café. It displays paintings, sculptures and other works from art centres in central Australia, the Kimberley, Arnhem Land and far north Queensland—as well as by local artists of the Kamilaroi Nation. The works are utterly lovely; the business model is smart, and the corporation’s standards are top-notch.
North-west South Australia: In 1993, a group of people living on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankatjatjara (APY) Lands were concerned at the lack of infrastructure, services and employment opportunities in the APY Lands. They wanted to look after all the local Anangu communities and in the process secure training opportunities and jobs for local people.
Forbes, New South Wales: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations with a large-scale, well-funded operation tend to have the highest profile. But many survive year after year on the strength of the commitment and sustained effort of their members and directors. Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre Indigenous Corporation is a great example. Its open-hearted determination is nourishing the whole community in and around Forbes.
Casino, New South Wales: Pastor Peter Boughey brings a quality of quiet determination to his role as chaplain at Acmena Juvenile Justice Centre in Grafton. Having worked in the system for years, he has seen many people return again and again. Some he could see were natural leaders, but instead of embracing that potential, they would go on to Kempsey gaol.
Kimberley, Western Australia: Many members of the Dambimangari community live in the Western Kimberley—in Derby, Mowanjum and other places—and some are as far away as Perth. Government policy and history have dislocated and fragmented them, but essential traditions and identity remain.
Rowena Mouda, chair of the board of Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation
Darwin region, Northern Territory: Having registered in 1998, for a full two decades now, Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation has represented the interests of Larrakia people and assisted some of Darwin’s most disadvantaged. In May 2018, its 600 members celebrated the corporation’s 20th birthday at a festive family fun day.
WARNING:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: please be aware that the following story contains images of unidentified people who are now deceased.
Clark Webb shows a group of children wombat berry at Yarrawarra Cultural Centre, the newest location for Goori learning centres
