November Newsletter : 2024 It’s a Wrap
As the year comes to a close, Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) is proud to share the highlights of 2024, a year of significant milestones and achievements. Across our departments, the dedication of our staff and the support of our members have driven positive change, strengthened our governance, preserved cultural heritage, empowered businesses, and nurtured our environment.
This newsletter reflects on our collective efforts and the exciting opportunities ahead as we continue working toward a brighter, more sustainable future for the Yamatji Nation.
CEO Report
2024 has been a transformative year for Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation, one filled with progress, collaboration, and hope for the future. Through your unwavering support, YSRC has made substantial advancements in governance, cultural preservation, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.
This year, we celebrated:
Enhanced Governance: The endorsement of the new YSRC Constitution has set a strong framework for accountability and transparency, ensuring our operations reflect the aspirations and priorities of the Yamatji Nation.
Cultural and Environmental Stewardship: Programs such as the Land and Sea Rangers have empowered participants with skills in sustainable land management while deepening their cultural connection to Country.
Economic Achievements: Yamatji Fresh Produce distributed 1,000 tons of cucumbers nationwide, while Yamatji Business Support assisted 65 businesses, fostering economic independence and resilience.
These milestones reflect the strength of our collective efforts. Together, we are building a foundation for self-determination, growth, and opportunity for all Yamatji people. On behalf of the YSRC team, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to YSRC's mission.
Warm regards,
Luka Gray
CEO, YSRC
Heritage
The YSRC Heritage team has been at the forefront of preserving and promoting Yamatji cultural heritage in 2024. From collaborating with key stakeholders to empowering Traditional Owners, this year’s achievements demonstrate our dedication to protecting our heritage and advancing cultural awareness.
Key Highlights:
Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthened partnerships with Development WA and Midwest Ports through regular meetings and transparent communication, integrating cultural management plans into development projects.
Return of Materials: Progressed efforts to reclaim heritage items, particularly materials related to the Oakajee Port. Further meetings with Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation are planned for 2025 to expand this initiative.
Increased Heritage Participation: Yamatji Heritage Advisor attendance at site visits improved significantly, with only four missed opportunities compared to over 70 in 2023. This ensures economic opportunities for Advisors while safeguarding heritage.
Notable Discoveries: Monitoring efforts uncovered significant artefacts such as spearheads, grinding stones, and skeletal remains, all treated with the utmost respect and care.
Education Success:
The Certificate III On-Country Management Program and Certificate II Heritage Advisor Program were successfully completed, equipping participants with skills and opportunities for employment. These programs garnered national attention and showcased YSRC’s ability to manage large-scale, high-profile projects.
With improved communication processes and ongoing dedication, the Heritage team is set to achieve even greater outcomes in 2025.
Lands
YSRC’s Lands Department achieved several critical milestones this year, focusing on land management, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability.
Key Achievements:
Land Transfers: Ten parcels of land have been successfully delivered, with efforts underway to secure rate exemptions and expand these transfers further.
Lot 601 Recognition: This prime economic land parcel was included in the Tourism WA Investment Document, attracting significant investor interest. YSRC has also applied for $4.2 million in funding to support its development.
Renewable Energy Initiative: The Clean Energy Scoping Project, supported by over $100,000 in grant funding, is the first of its kind in empowering an Aboriginal corporation to lead in renewable energy decision-making.
Tourism Planning: Feasibility studies are ongoing for Pink Lake and Lucky Bay, assessing their potential for tourism development while preserving cultural and environmental values.
The Lands Department remains committed to unlocking the potential of Yamatji land assets while ensuring sustainability and cultural respect.
Yamatji Rangers: Your Partners in Environmental and Heritage Project
2024 has been a monumental year for the Yamatji Rangers. Through comprehensive training and hands-on experience, our Rangers are now fully qualified and ready to take on contract work. If you’re seeking skilled professionals for your next project, look no further than our team.
Why Choose Yamatji Rangers?
Our Rangers bring a unique blend of traditional knowledge, cultural insight, and technical expertise to every project. With qualifications in environmental management, cultural site preservation, and on-ground conservation, we deliver results while respecting Country.
Services We Offer:
Heritage and Cultural Site Management: Safeguarding sites of cultural significance with care and expertise.
Environmental Conservation: Coastal monitoring, erosion control, and vegetation management.
Invasive Species Control: Specialised techniques for managing Boxthorn and Prickly Pear.
Revegetation Projects: From seed collection to tree planting, we help restore ecosystems.
Wildlife Surveys: Experienced in monitoring bird colonies, sea lions, and lobster populations.
Ocean Plastics Testing: Conducting beach clean-ups and assessing ocean health.
Recent Achievements:
This year, our Rangers supported wildfire management in Jurien Bay, contributed to infrastructure development in conservation areas, and collaborated with Elders to enhance cultural storytelling for younger generations.
The Yamatji Rangers are ready to partner with you. For quotes or inquiries, reach out to our office today.
Yamatji Enterprises Limited & Yamatji Fresh Produce
2024 has been a pivotal year for Yamatji Enterprises Limited, with joint ventures and business development initiatives advancing economic independence for the Yamatji Nation.
Yamatji Fresh Produce (YFP): Official operations commenced in May, with the first 100 greenhouses completed. YFP is set to become Australia’s largest cucumber farm, powered by sustainable water and energy systems. Recruitment of Yamatji staff has been a priority, providing meaningful employment opportunities.
Asset Transfers: YEL continues to oversee government asset transfers, ensuring they benefit the community.
Business Support: Tailored assistance has been provided to 71 Yamatji businesses, from funding to operational guidance.
Joint Management Body
In 2024, the Joint Management Body made significant strides in safeguarding Yamatji Country through collaboration, innovation, and responsiveness. With a strong focus on cultural and environmental stewardship, the team has set a benchmark for co-management practices that preserve the land’s integrity and honour its cultural significance.
Heritage Protection Initiatives
Working closely with the Cultural Committee, the Joint Management Body prioritised the identification, documentation, and preservation of culturally and historically significant sites. These efforts included:
Advanced Mapping Technologies: Utilised cutting-edge tools to map heritage locations accurately.
On-Ground Assessments: Conducted comprehensive fieldwork to ensure the protection and sustainable management of key sites.
Strategic Safeguarding Plans: Developed and implemented strategies to guarantee long-term conservation of Yamatji heritage.
These initiatives have strengthened the alignment between cultural knowledge and modern conservation methods, ensuring the legacy of Yamatji heritage is respected and preserved for future generations.
Partnership with DBCA
A robust partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA) was a cornerstone of 2024’s achievements. The Joint Management Body worked hand-in-hand with DBCA to:
Align Management Priorities: Ensured co-management plans reflect both cultural and environmental values.
Enhance Resource Sharing: Improved operational efficiency and access to critical resources.
Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Hosted regular workshops that fostered collaboration and strengthened working relationships.
This partnership has exemplified the power of teamwork in achieving mutual goals for cultural and environmental sustainability. A big thank you to Curtis Robinson from DBCA for his conrinued involvement with projects.
Conservation Efforts in Emergencies
The Yamatji Rangers, supported by the Joint Management Body, played a pivotal role in responding to environmental emergencies in 2024. Their efforts included:
Fire Response Operations: Mobilised resources to mitigate the impact of fires in Jurien Bay, Wedge Point, Cervantes, Perth Hills, and as far south as Pemberton.
Ecosystem Protection: Acted swiftly to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems from fire damage.
Recovery Support: Contributed to restoration efforts, ensuring the resilience of affected areas.
These actions demonstrate the Yamatji Rangers’ capability and commitment to protecting Country during critical situations.
Key Achievements in 2024
Development of heritage site protection strategies in partnership with the Cultural Committee.
Strengthened co-management partnerships with DBCA.
Comprehensive conservation support during emergencies, including extensive fire response efforts.
The Joint Management Body’s dedication to preserving Country, empowering Yamatji Rangers, and fostering cultural knowledge exchange has set a strong foundation for continued success in 2025 and beyond.
Proponent Progress
Introduced in April 2024, the Proponent Coordinator role has become a cornerstone of YSRC's engagement strategy, serving as a bridge between the corporation and external stakeholders. This role ensures clear communication, identifies growth opportunities, and fosters positive experiences for all parties.
Purpose of the Role:
The Proponent Coordinator supports YSRC by:
Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Advocating for cultural and commercial opportunities.
Facilitating seamless communication to enhance collaboration.
Role Achievements:
Since its establishment, the Proponent Coordinator has addressed over 50 stakeholder requests, including:
Providing key information and facilitating consultations.
Coordinating Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies.
Responding to cultural awareness program inquiries.
Supporting collaborative ventures with tailored letters of support.
Capacity-Building Initiative:
YSRC has secured funding through the 2024/2025 Capacity-Building Program by DPLH to develop a bespoke stakeholder database system. Partnering with Indigenous Data Management and leveraging their AIM system, this initiative will streamline:
Membership management.
Stakeholder engagement tracking.
Lands and heritage data integration.
This system will enhance efficiency and provide valuable insights into our stakeholder relationships.
Stakeholder Engagements:
Since March 2024, YSRC has engaged with 117 stakeholders, including:
Government agencies.
Mining and energy companies.
Private sector organisations.
Aboriginal corporations.
These interactions span diverse YSRC departments such as Commercial, Lands, Heritage, Culture, Rangers, Yamatji Business Support, and more. This progress underscores YSRC’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships and advancing its mission.
Employment Opportunities
Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation continues to grow our workforce with new job opportunities. If you want to join a team that is innovative, inclusive, and invested in developing your skills and talent, see below vacancies open for applications.
YSRC promotes diversity and embraces a high standard of equal opportunity, health and safety, and ethical practice, and opportunity for Yamatji people. All employees are required to always comply with relevant safety procedures/guidelines and equal opportunity principles.
YSRC is seeking skilled professionals for several key positions:
Independent Directors
Expert Trust Director
Expert Economic Director
Visit our website for details. Applications close 15 January 2025.
To apply for any positions, please email your CV relevant to the position and a cover letter addressing your experience for the job roles.
Membership Review
YSRC is beginning a membership review to ensure our records are up-to-date and meet the eligibility criteria set out in our Constitution. This process is an important step to strengthen our governance and maintain the integrity of our membership.
What You Need to Know:
Members will receive a notification about the review, outlining any updates that may be needed for their records.
There will be a three-month period to provide any missing information, with YSRC staff available to offer support if required.
We encourage all members to participate in this process to ensure their membership remains current and compliant with our guidelines.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work through this important update. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
If you are a current member turning 60 years of age in 2025 please note our membership officer will be in contact to update your details to receive the Elders Gift Card as part of our program process.
Season Greetings
Please note our office is closed from Friday 13th December 2024 and will re-open Monday 13th January 2025
From all of us at the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation, we wish you a safe, joyful, and happy holiday season.
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Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year.
We look forward to continuing our journey together in the year ahead.
Warm wishes, The YSRC Team x
If you have any questions or feedback for our team, we would love to hear from you so please reach out via our contact form.