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
Perth, Western Australia: Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person considering a career in health care (or hospitality) would do well to check out Marr Mooditj Training Aboriginal Corporation. It’s a registered training organisation (RTO) with 34 years’ experience of providing culturally sensitive training and assessment and holistic support, and a mission to maximise the employability of Aboriginal people.
Marr Mooditj students in a computer lab
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: Beginning in 1972 as a cooperative of community stores in seven communities, The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) is now the highest-earning corporation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). In 2015–16 it generated income of over $95 million—with a tidy $5 million surplus for its five member communities—Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Milingimbi, Minjilang and Ramingining. It’s a smart, diverse operation strengthened by a passion for bridge-building.
Yirrkala, Northern Territory: The Rirratjingu clan, traditional owners of land on the Gove Peninsula, is well-known for its leadership. In 1963, when the Australian Government excised over 300 square kilometres of land from the Arnhem Land reserve for bauxite mining— without consulting the traditional owners—five Rirratjingu brothers took action.
Top End, Northern Territory: Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (Aboriginal Corporation) (TEABBA) has operated in the Northern Territory for almost three decades. It first incorporated in 1989 and is registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). TEABBA has always been a non-profit organisation driven by and for members of the Aboriginal communities it serves; from Wadeye and Kalkarindji in the west, the Tiwi Islands to the north and Arnhem land and Groote Eylandt to the east.
