Aboriginal Advisory Committee
The Aboriginal Advisory Committee was established as a result of a community consultation in Port Augusta in 2000. It aims to be an advisory and consultative committee to Port Augusta City Council in regards to Aboriginal issues, as well as providing consultation to organisations and services in and for the region.
Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc
The Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (SA) Inc (ADAC) was established as a direct response to recommendations contained within the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody. The South Australian Indigenous community agreed that there needed to be a State substance misuse organisation. ADAC was incorporated in 1993 and has a State Council made up of over 27 rural, remote and urban organisations.
ADAC aims to develop and implement a state-wide strategy to address Aboriginal alcohol and other drug misuse. It assists in the integration of programs within existing community and agency services to ensure that Aboriginal interests are addressed and promoted. ADAC also positively promotes harm minimisation as an effective preventative measure.
Aboriginal Housing Company (Redfern) Ltd
The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) was established in Redfern in 1973 in response to difficulties experienced by Aborigines in the private rental market. It was the first urban land claim and the first housing organisation in Australia. The AHC is governed by the community which is made up of mixed tribes from around Australia. It provides affordable housing that is owned and managed by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people.
The AHC is finalising a model for the redevelopment of the Block in Redfern. The redevelopment is focused on the next generation and providing them with a safe environment where they can prosper and have access to good role models and opportunities.
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) pursues social justice and wellbeing for Aboriginal peoples of South Australia. It exists to strengthen, promote and enhance the legal, cultural and social rights of Aboriginal people through the provision of legal services. ALRM's role is to advance the legal interests of Aboriginal peoples of SA by providing legal and support services and to ensure those interests and rights are protected by law and not adversely affected by abuse or misuse of any powers under the law.
ALRM's Constitution provides for a 10 member Board whose members are appointed by a Board Appointment Committee. All interested individuals apply by addressing the selection criteria and then they are appointed following a detailed selection process. Successful candidates represent the three ATSIC regions in SA.
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation
The Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation (AHAC) was established 20 years ago in Tennant Creek to enable Aboriginal people to be actively involved in identifying health care needs, determining models of health service delivery and participating in the management and delivery of those services. AHAC aims to be the number one primary health care provider and advocate for the community service needs of Aboriginal people in the Barkly region.
AHAC runs four core programs: the Health Centre; Public Health Program; Stronger Families Program; and Active Life Program. It recognizes and promotes traditional practices, bush medicines and many other local customs. All of its facilities are designed to cater for the Aboriginal practices and beliefs of the 16 language groups in the Yapakurlangu region so that the community feels a sense of ownership of AHAC premises as culturally safe environments.
Bardina Pty Ltd T/A Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
Bardina Pty Ltd trading as Kooljaman at Cape Leveque (Kooljaman) was formed by the communities of One Arm Point and Djarindjin to run an Aboriginal wilderness style camp on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. It was set up to further social well being of these two communities and to provide a sustainable economic future for them.
As well as acting as a business incubator for the many micro Indigenous tourism businesses that provide services to the 18,000 annual visitors to the area each year, Kooljaman also provides training and employment opportunities for the local community people.
Brisbane Indigenous Media Association
Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA) was established in 1992 to provide a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the media, and to contribute to the maintaining of culture and economic growth of Indigenous people in south-east Queensland.
BIMA provides an essential service to Indigenous communities locally and nationally by giving them regular updates on Indigenous issues, promoting traditional and contemporary culture, and providing a forum for the promotion and discussion of issues of importance such as health, nutrition, licit substance usage, drug abuse, suicide and crime. BIMA also has a commitment to the development of young people as future community leaders, and to developing strong networks between elders, young people and community organisations.
Bungala Aboriginal Corporation
Bungala Aboriginal Corporation was established as a CDEP to provide opportunities for Indigenous people in the Port Augusta area. The Corporation has a vision to provide participants with opportunities for training and employment that lead to the acquisition of skills aimed at developing and improving their economic, social and cultural status. The Corporation's service area ranges from Port Pirie in the south to Coober Pedy in the north and includes several small communities in the Flinders Ranges. Its service area was recently expanded to include satellite projects in Whyalla and Oodnadatta.
Bungala is a partnered registered training organisation through Jobs Australia and has the capacity to deliver nationally accredited training packages in carpentry, horticulture, business services, tourism and small business. Current development includes the establishment of an Indigenous Art Centre with a retail outlet and gallery, and further expansion of the transportable home construction division to a site in Port Augusta.
Bunuba Inc.
Bunuba was established to develop, manage, administer and advance all aspects of social, economic and cultural well-being for people in the Bunuba Communities. The Bunuba constitution has been constructed to ensure that a balance of clan independence and Bunuba unity is exercised, along with the ability to implement consensual decision-making processes.
Bunuba Business is the commercial arm of Bunuba Inc established by the Council to invest in profitable businesses, support the development of community and family-owned businesses, and to create employment. Bunuba Business has interests in a book-keeping service, a mechanical workshop, a cattle company, a roadhouse, residential houses that are commercially let to other organisations and businesses, and a Trust that owns two hotels, a supermarket and a caravan park.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
Congress began at a meeting held in June 1973. At the meeting many people from both the town and bush talked about the need to safeguard and promote the interests of Aboriginal people. Congress was set up to be the voice for Aboriginal people in central Australia. It now provides comprehensive primary health care services to the Aboriginal community of Alice Springs and to outstations within a 100km radius of Alice.
Congress provides a wide range of services including a medical clinic, outreach programs to young mothers with children under two, frail aged and disabled clients, a chronic disease program, on site au+diologist/hearing program and visiting specialist clinics, Alukura women's health and birthing centre, male health, dental, social, emotional and youth programs as well as training programs for Aboriginal health workers.
Coolgaree Aboriginal Corporation for CDEP
Coolgaree Aboriginal Corporation for CDEP is a community controlled organisation formed in 1997 to provide opportunities for employment and training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on Palm Island. The main objective of Coolgaree is to empower its participants through training and development in various trades and disciplines, with the view of changing economic dependence on social services support to earning income through meaningful, full time jobs.
Coolgaree has several major plans to develop as an organisation and also to benefit the Palm Island community. These include the Sponges Project employing 32 people by end of 2006, a service station and kiosk, market garden operations, a major parks and gardens program to develop community recreational infrastructure and acquiring qualifications in the area of mechanics to enable the undertaking of accredited training.
Daguragu Community Government Council
The Daguragu Council in the Northern Territory provides local Indigenous community members of Kalkaringi and Daguragu with an effective voice in governing their community and in the delivery of all services.
It has been primarily involved with the provision of local government essential services such as the maintenance of roads and housing, as well as garbage collection and a dump maintenance service. Daguragu Council now provides a wider range of services to its residents including the management of CDEP programs, the Warnkurr Sports and Social Club and smaller enterprises such as the mechanical workshop, civil works, bakery, and arts and craft. It also manages the community housing stock with respect to auditing, repairs, maintenance and the co-ordination of all types of housing funding.
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) in NSW was established to improve, protect and foster the best interests of all Aboriginal people within the local area. The purpose of the Council is to provide land rights for Aboriginal people, to vest land in the Council, to acquire, establish and operate enterprises and also to acquire, construct, upgrade or extend accommodation for members of the local community.
Activities in which the DLALC are currently engaged include operating a Community Development Employment Program and also an Indigenous Employment Centre, public housing, sustainable housing, a funeral fund and the Darkinjung Cattle Company.
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (DYHS) was established to address the health needs of Aboriginal people within the Perth metropolitan region and to ensure access to culturally appropriate health care. The service provides holistic health care which promotes and maintains Aboriginal people's physical, spiritual, social, economic and cultural wellbeing.
DYHS is an Aboriginal community controlled health organisation that is respective of and responsive to community needs, issues and concerns. It is a key advocate for health, social and wellbeing issues within the Aboriginal and wider community sectors to ensure that Indigenous issues are represented fairly. DYHS maintains a consultative approach to all areas within the health sector in order to assist in improving health outcomes for Indigenous people.
Embalgun Aboriginal Corporation
Embalgun Aboriginal Corporation in the north west of WA was established to provide Aboriginal people with employment opportunities, to enhance individual skills, community self-management, economic development and to improve community infrastructure. The governing body is elected by Family/Clan representation. It has seven committee members selected to run the community of 25 members.
Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation
Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation (GSAC) arose out of a community need for activities and programs that address problems and issues relating to young Indigenous people. The GSAC promotes early prevention and diversion and develops activities to reduce contact of Aboriginal youth with the criminal justice system. It facilitate projects and programs for young people to increase skills, knowledge and self esteem to go on to further education, employment and leadership roles, and aims to promote Aboriginal youth in a positive and culturally appropriate manner.
The GSAC initiated the Indigenous Youth Council which is now in its 5 th year. The Council aims to give young people leadership and role model qualities as well as the opportunity to gain training, and to attend workshops, forums and conferences. The Youth Council members develop skills by working with the community and every member has the opportunity to attend training camps with the GSAC.
Goldfields Land and Sea Aboriginal Corporation
The Goldfields Land and Sea Corporation (GLSC) was established in Kalgoolie in 1984 to give representation for Indigenous people of the Goldfields on a range of issues, particularly land matters, in local, State and national forums. The GLSC is the Native Title Representative Body for the Goldfields Region and has evolved to become the primary Aboriginal land organisation for the region, as well as the leading advocate for protection of Indigenous culture and social justice.
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative was established in Horsham in Victoria to service the community and surrounding district in the areas of culture, health, welfare, education, legal, youth and to provide support for elders. Its main objective is to provide a service in health and community welfare.
Within Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative, senior management believe it is important that all staff, regardless of their level of employment, be involved in sourcing funding. This is not only to help find funding for the co-operative but also for the benefit of staff to learn about this process.
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative in Warrnambool Victoria was established in 1982 to provide a culturally sensitive health service to the local community through education, promotion and support for families and individuals. It also aims to provide cross cultural information to mainstream and community health care providers.
Hunter Valley Aboriginal Corporation
The Hunter Valley Aboriginal Corporation was established after members of the Aboriginal community decided to form a corporation to deal with issues affecting the local community. The corporation focuses on all ages and all areas including health, education, sport, employment and housing as well as operating the Muswellbrook Community Night Patrol.
Institute for Aboriginal Development Inc.
The Institute for Aboriginal Development was established to assist community development among Aboriginal people and to provide opportunities for education between Aboriginal and other cultures. It is now an independent Aboriginal controlled organisation whose primary aim is to provide education for Aboriginal people up to and including tertiary qualifications.
The Institute's activities include education programs which range from literacy and numeracy to vocational and tertiary level courses; an Aboriginal language and culture centre which specialises in language, cross-culture and cultural maintenance programs, as well as providing interpreter services and language research; and IAD Press which produces material on the Aboriginal people, language and culture.
Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation
Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation is based in Katherine in the Northern Territory. It was established to advance and propagate education and learning, to encourage the continuation and preservation of culture, to establish public facilities and to represent and advance the views and aspirations of the Jawoyn clans.
Jawoyn Association aims to assist traditional owners of land with the management, protection, control and development of their lands and also to relieve poverty and provide for the social welfare of the Jawoyn clans.
Current Jawoyn Association business enterprises include the Nitmiluk National Park Joint Venture, a roadhouse, 2 caravan parks, a tourist kiosk and a freehold block being developed as a Resource Centre, Aged Care and Family Violence facility. Partnership agreements include tourist products, buffalo safaris and live export.
Kalkadoon Tribal Council Night Patrol
The Kalkadoon Tribal Council Night Patrol in Mount Isa is a crime prevention initiative that assists people at risk. It aims to assist homeless people and youth and intoxicated people at risk.
Kaltukatjarra Community Council
Kaltukatjarra Community Council was established in the remote area of Docker River in the Northern Territory to cater for the identified needs of the aged Indigenous community. The council aims to ensure that frail Elders can remain in the community in their last years and die on their country. The council also seeks to address, where culturally appropriate, the tri-boarder needs for palliative care with family support assistance.
The council provides flexible aged care services in a manner suitable for the local traditional people, in a safe, hygienic and caring manner of their choosing. The council offers choices and flexibility of care to promote independence.
KARI Aboriginal Resources Inc.
Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. is based in Moorebank in NSW and was established to provide community based services appropriate to the Indigenous community of south west Sydney. Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. is now recognised as the major Indigenous service provider in the region and recently won a NSW Government "Community Service Award". The service is managed by a Board of Management and there is no community membership.
Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. coordinates two programs. The first is a foster care service for Indigenous children and youth aged from 0 to 17 years. The second is a community capacity building program named the Enrichment Program. This program has 6 streams which include the Arts, Youth Transitions, IT, Business Development, Community Unity and Vacational Care. The service currently also operates a Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. clinic which offers full health assessments to all Indigenous children and youth that come into its care. The service aims to grow to provide a full medical service for the area.
Koorie Heritage Trust Inc
The Koorie Heritage Trust was established out of an immediate need for the cultural heritage of Koorie people to be owned, controlled and managed by them. It aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of the Indigenous people of south-eastern Australia, in particular that of Victoria. As an organisation established to protect and promote Koorie culture as a whole, the Trust acts as a 'cultural hub' for all Koories to come together to learn about their heritage, contribute artwork or participate in projects.
Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation
The Larrakia Nation was established in Darwin to ensure Larrakia people are provided with support, to promote respect for Larrakia law, language and Country and to hold titles to land in trust for Native Title holders. The role of Larrakia Nation is to relieve disadvantage, distress, dispossession, lack of employment, training, educational opportunities, poverty and ill-health of the Larrakia community by contributing to its cultural, social and economic development. This includes contributing to the process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Darwin and the wider Northern Territory and Australian communities via partnerships and joint venture arrangements.
Link-Up NSW
Link-Up NSW in the Blue Mountains is a non-profit Aboriginal organisation that was founded in 1982. It was the pioneer organisation from which all Link-Up organisations throughout Australia were founded on. Link-Up aims to reunite Aboriginal people removed from their families and community through past Aboriginal protection legislations and assimilation policies. The affects of removal have created cross-generational impacts that have contributed to ill health, substance abuse, family violence, increased incarceration and cultural breakdown in Aboriginal communities. Link-Up strives to address these issues by linking up and counselling family and community.
Link-up continues to view the past with an eye to preserving it and it has over 20 years of records, files, photographs and data to be preserved and collated.
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation was established to provide Aboriginal people in the region of far west NSW with a vehicle to have a greater say in the design and development of health services, and to allow for more Aboriginal people to be employed in the system. Maari Ma aims to develop a better balance between community based care and acute services, and to provide more services focused on surveillance, prevention, early intervention, health promotion and education.
Maari Ma exists so that the Aboriginal people it represents and serves can re-establish a strong sense of cultural identity and can build and sustain individual, family and community systems that engender self-respect and self-esteem through good health and wellbeing.
Mackay Coloured Co-Operative Society Ltd
The Mackay Coloured Co-Operative was established in 1974 to address the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing needs. The co-operative provides homes and units for long-term accommodation and for purchase, and encourages stability and home-ownership within the community. It does not rely on any funding and operates self-sufficiently by requiring all tenants to pay two weeks rent in advance.
The 9 member Indigenous Board of Directors meets every month to acknowledge correspondence, pass accounts, accept applications for housing and/or membership, decide housing allocations and discuss other general business. The office staff and the maintenance crew then work together to carry out the instructions of the Board.
Malabam Health Board Aboriginal Corporation
Malabam Health Board Aboriginal Corporation in the Northern Territory was established to give the community control of primary health care services and to unite the various service providers under one umbrella. It provides advocacy, policy and administrative support to health organisations in the Maningrida community and the surrounding outstations, as well as comprehensive primary health and substance use services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people serviced by the organisation.
Eight local language groups are represented on the Governing Committee, which is divided into two groups. One group represents the town people and the other group represents the outstation people. From these two groups a Chairperson for each is elected, with the Chairpersons taking it in turns to chair the monthly meetings. There is also an option for three extra members with special interests and/or skills to be co-opted onto the Executive.
Mawarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation
The John Pat incident and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in the 80's were the influencing forces in bringing about change within this community in Roeburne WA. The Mawarnkarra Health Service Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1985 with support from the then Department of Aboriginal Affairs and others. It is an independent Aboriginal community controlled health organisation set up to provide a comprehensive, integrated and culturally appropriate primary health care service to the Aboriginal people of Roebourne and related communities of the West Pilbara.
Mawarnkarra Health Service takes a holistic approach to health care delivery; its programs are designed not just to address the curative needs of the individual but also to improve the social, emotional and cultural well being of the Aboriginal communities in the region. The organisation has a client base of approximately 5000 and employs 29 staff including 2 medical officers.
Mount Isa Aboriginal Media Association
Mount Isa Aboriginal Media Association (MIAMA) was established to connect Indigenous residents with an outlet of media and music recording and to promote the local history, language, art and culture. On-air programmes reflect issues within the Indigenous community including special programming to capture oral histories of Elders and youth achievers. It also provides training within the media.
MIAMA plans to expand the current coverage area to even further reaches. It is currently establishing a network with the ABC and is applying for a community television licence. MIAMA prints a monthly newspaper across Queensland, Murri Views, and would like to see the paper printed every second week.
The Moyne Shire Reconciliation Committee for South West Indigenous Communities was established to progress reconciliation within the Moyne Shire in Port Fairy, Victoria, and to give guidance to Council on reconciliation issues. It aims to inform, educate and promote reconciliation activities within Council and across the municipality. The Committee has representatives appointed from the four local Indigenous communities, as well as a Council representative from each of the ridings in the shire.
Murrin Bridge Advance Aboriginal Corporation
The Murrin Bridge Advance Aboriginal Corporation in NSW was established to manage the general operations structure of the Murrin Bridge Aboriginal community, and to provide guidance in seeking community-based business enterprises that will eventually lead to financial independence and self determination for the community.
The corporation board members are elected on a triennial cycle to allow experienced members to contribute to the management process. All board members must have completed or be enrolled in the Indigenous governance program delivered out of the Lake Cargeiligo TAFE campus.
The Murrin Bridge management board has several business ventures in the early stages of development including Murrin Bridge Wines, which is the first Indigenous wine making enterprise in Australia, and Kal-Inga building construction corporation which employs young Aboriginal men and women as tradesmen, painters and decorators.
Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council
Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) in NSW was established to provide a mechanism for the procuring of vacant Crown Lands and their management, and to aim for a self-sufficient community through enterprise. MLALC represents the traditional Aboriginal owners of Mutawintji National Park and Mutawintji Nature Reserve, which was the first national park to be returned to Aboriginal ownership in NSW in 1998.
MLALC is contracted to provide guided tours and activities to visitors to Mutawintji National Park, and it is also the auspicing body for Mutawintji Heritage Tours, a community-owned tourism enterprise. MLALC provides employment and training opportunities for the broader community, as well as advice and direction to the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management.
Naramya Aboriginal Corporation
Naramya Aboriginal Corporation in Rockingham in Western Australia was established to enhance and conduct appropriate cultural activities unique to the local area. As well as facilitating the performance of Aboriginal ceremonies at local and national events, the corporation also promotes Aboriginal arts.
On Australia Day, Naramya organises Aboriginal dance and music demonstrations, as well as an Indigenous art exhibition. NAIDOC week is celebrated with a beach walk and a remembrance event along with arts and corroboree.
Nari Nari Tribal Council
Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC) was established to hold title to 11,300 hectares of riverine land, 30km west of Hay in NSW, along the Murrumbidgee River. It's purpose is to protect and enhance the local Indigenous culture and history, while encouraging and protecting the natural environment. In 2003 NNTC was named a State Finalist in the Landcare Awards.
The clan representation methods within this organisation are reviving the traditional roles within Aboriginal society, and knowledge is readily shared amongst young and old. Family units are encouraged to stay on country to help strengthen the bonds within each group.
North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health
North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health (NCACCH) was established out of the desire of the Indigenous people of the Sunshine Coast to have their own specific health service that would deliver culturally appropriate health care. The corporation provides health services to the Indigenous community in a cost-effective, efficient, professional, culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.
NCACCH has developed a 'decision-making matrix' for the Board to refer to when making decisions. Use of this matrix ensures all decisions are clearly focussed on the application of best practice guidelines, and all issues are evaluated by whether they 'fit' into the model that has been adopted.
Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation for Women's Business
Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation for Women's Business was established in the Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland to provide Aboriginal women with the base (the land) to rekindle their spiritual awareness, cultural heritage and pride. It maintains the local culture with integrity and respect so as to build strong families and communities. Members are encouraged to share, teach, learn and preserve their traditional heritage.
The corporation encourages women to become involved in the organisation and their communities, and it offers mentoring programs with Elders and youth. It also provides cultural educational programs for Aboriginal and non-aboriginal youth.
South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council
SWALSC was initially formed to take over as the Native Title Representative Body for the South West of Western Australia. Today it aims to bring relief to Noongar people from the effects of dispossession and disadvantage, and to obtain land, justice and economic development. SWALSC is also helping other organisations to ensure accountability, especially financial accountability.
SWALSC is governed by a Full Council of 57, which comprises 4 representatives from each of the 14 wards. It has approximately 1900 members, and Working Party meetings are held to ensure detailed discussions on sub-regional or family matters.
Sunrise Health Service
The Sunrise Health Service was established in response to the Jawoyn Elders concern at the health of their communities. Participation in the Commonwealth Government's second round of Coordinate Care Trials provided the opportunity to develop a community controlled health service to replace the former Department of Health and Community Services. Sunrise has been able to establish the health service infrastructure required to increase the range and type of health services to both Indigenous and non Indigenous people in the remote region east of Katherine.
In the two and a half years as a trial site Sunrise has recruited a staff of eighty five personnel, implemented an electronic health records system for 10 remote communities, provided extensive training and development of the Health Board and ten Community Health Committees and implemented a compulsory comprehensive orientation program to ensure that staff observe the cultural protocols of the region.
Tangentyere Council
Tangentyere Council was established in 1978 to assist Aboriginal people who were living in 'fringe camps' around Alice Springs, without essential services, to gain tenure to the land they were occupying so they could be provided with services and subsequently housing.
Tangentyere Council is the resource centre for 18 Housing Associations in Alice Springs, each of which is independently incorporated with its own constitution and rules. The Executive Committee of each Housing Association is elected from within its own membership. The Tangentyere Council Executive, or "parent" organisation, is then elected from the office bearers of the Housing Association committees.
Tiwi Islands Local Government
When the Tiwi Islands Local Government was formed in 2001 it was agreed that it was being set up to be the framework for a future regional governing body. The new organisation brought together the traditional land-owning leadership with the community leadership in a single forum. Eight of the Council's members represent the community as the traditional landowners and nine of its members are elected from the traditional skin groups.
The TILG was established to maintain observance and respect for those values and to join the responsibilities and structures of traditional authority with modern local government to achieve a high quality of life and a wide range of opportunities and choices. It has the capacity to evolve over time to co-ordinate and administer service delivery, promote sustainable economic development, and negotiate arrangements responsive to the needs of the Tiwi people.
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-op Ltd
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Co-op Ltd (WAMS) was established in 1986 to provide a service to the Aboriginal community and the general population in Walgett, NSW for health and social issues. These included people who were being turned away from hospitals, difficulty in accessing doctors, financial restrictions to travel long distances to see health specialists, advocacy referral and patient support as well as other health needs that were not being addressed.
WAMS provides high quality accessible and confidential health care and dental services. Services include clinics run by a General Practitioner, dental health, eye and ear health, antenatal and post natal clinics, mobile children's service, vacation day care during school holidays, drug and alcohol assistance and family, sexual and mental health. Many of these services are also provided on an outreach basis to more remote towns in the area.
Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation
Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1997 to provide services and support to Aboriginal families on remote communities in central Australia, in particular to support women's centres and family-oriented programs. Waltja aims to deliver appropriate transportation, sporting, communications, health and disability, education and homemaker services to central Australian people.
Waltja provides administrative and related resources to develop the community's capacity for self-management and self-determination. It also facilitates community participation in the planning, management and evaluation of community based services in the region, as well as securing employment and training programs.
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre was established in 1987 when Aboriginal people of the Pilbara came together to discuss how they could save and maintain the 30 Aboriginal languages of the region, and how they could educate others about Aboriginal languages and culture.
Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre aims to be recognised as a leading Aboriginal language and resource centre in Australia. By working with the elders of the Pilbara, they plan to use their expertise, knowledge and sensitivity to record and foster Aboriginal languages, culture and history.
Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation
Warlayirti Artists was established in 1987 following the success of an exhibition of more than 100 paintings from the Balgo area held at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Warlayirti Artists supports and encourages the development and expression of art and culture of Indigenous people in the Kutjungka Region in the southern Kimberley of WA. Through its Art Centre and Cultural Centre it represents more than 300 practicing artists, generating social and economic benefits from the production and sale of their art.
Warlayirti Artists employ the services of Little Fish to deliver effective customised governance and financial management training, and together they have developed effective visual tools such as the Money Story. The Chairperson, Philomena Baadjo, regularly tells people that before the governance training commenced the Committee and artists did not know the money story for Warlayirti Artists. She now states that one of the strengths of the organisation is the fact that "we have a clear money story."
West Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee
The West Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee (WAITOC) was established to accelerate the participation of Aboriginal people in the presentation of culturally authentic, sensitive and sustainable tourism activities by being the credible representative of Aboriginal tourism interests in Western Australia, and as a National leader.
Wuchopperen Health Services Ltd
In 1978 the Aboriginal community in far north Queensland elected a council to deal with its health conditions. Following a survey conducted in 1979 into Aboriginal health needs in the area, donations were raised to form Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd. The service was officially opened in 1981 on National Aboriginal Day.
The purpose of the organisation is to provide an efficient and effective community based primary health care service that is delivered in a culturally sound manner to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Wunan Foundation Inc
Wunan Foundation was established in 1997 as a central component of the ATSIC Wunan Regional Council's 'future-building' strategy, which aims to invest in education, employment and training, and commercial development within the East Kimberley. The future-building strategy identified the need for a specialist organisation that would develop a significant, sustainable and independent asset base as a foundation for long-term innovation in Indigenous socio-economic projects in the local area.
The Foundation's vision is for Aboriginal people to share equitably in the social and economic opportunities in the East Kimberley, and for Wunan Foundation to be a driving force for achieving that outcome. The Foundation aims to apply commercial principles to all activities and develop high quality governance structures and capacities, as well as to build an asset base to create resources for reinvestment in innovative projects.
Yabur Yulgun CDEP Aboriginal Corporation
Yabur Yulgun CDEP Aboriginal Corporation in Lismore, NSW was established to create a CDEP that was independent of land councils and cooperatives. It aims to organise and promote employment and education for Indigenous people in a culturally appropriate way.
There are twelve cell groups across the Bundjalung Nation and once a group has more than seven people it elects a member to represent them on the Governing Committee. There are also two young leaders on the Committee who are mentored by the General Manager.
Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation
The Yamatji Marlpa Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation (YMBBMAC) was first recognised as a native title representative body for the Yamatji region in WA in December 1994, and assumed responsibility for the Pilbara region in 2000. The primary role of YMBBMAC is to conduct facilitation, certification, notification, dispute resolution and agreement making functions on behalf of the native title claim groups it represents.
YMBBMAC has two operational divisions, the Yamatji Land and Sea Council and the Pilbara Native Title Service. It is driven by a governing committee and regional committees which provide policy directions and decision-making. Members of the Pilbara Regional Committee are nominated from each of the Pilbara Native Title Service working groups. Representatives on the Yamatji Regional Committee are elected from the eligible Yamatji Land and Sea Council membership. The twelve member governing committee has six representatives from each regional committee.
Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation
Officiated in 1993, Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation has evolved from a successful youth theatre project to Australia's leading Aboriginal theatre Company. It has the respect and support of the Noongar Nation, the distinct cultural group that the company is based on, and it is the Cultural Partner of the Perth International Arts Festival.
Yirra Yaakin tells the stories of the local Aboriginal community through theatre, with Aboriginal people involved in all stages of development to ensure authenticity. Its priorities are to ensure Aboriginal performing arts remain Aboriginal controlled and self-determined as well as to provide opportunities for Aboriginal artists in all levels of creation and production.
Yorganop Child Care Aboriginal Corporation
Yorganop Child Care Aboriginal Corporation was established in response to an expressed need by the local Indigenous community for an organisation which would focus on the wellbeing of the children in the community, primarily the children whose parents were no longer able to care for them adequately. Yorganop's purpose is to support Aboriginal children, families and communities of WA, at the regional and local level, to enhance their physical, social, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Yorganop aims to achieve this by providing stable placements through a carer-focused service which recruits, registers, trains, and supports Indigenous foster carers to take care of Indigenous children placed into out of home care. The training arm intends to ensure Indigenous child care agencies have skilled staff to administer and carry out their programs.
Yulella Aboriginal Corporation
Yulella Aboriginal Corporation was established to further the economic advancement of Aboriginal people in the Meekatharra area by encouraging and fostering training and employment. Yulella also supports other organisations in the region that have similar aspirations.
Amongst other projects, Yulella has four successful businesses that are providing employment and training opportunities for participants. The profits from these enterprises will support its Youth Employment Project and Employment Placement initiative.
Yumba Meta Housing Association Ltd
Yumba Meta Housing Association Ltd (YMHA) is a community controlled, non-profit organisation established in 1973 to provide long-term secure, affordable and appropriate housing to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Townsville region. YMHA's role is to promote the welfare of Aboriginal and Islander people, including the provision of housing and accommodation.
YMHA has specific plans to provide additional linked services such as Aged Care housing incorporating a holistic approach to care for the aged Indigenous constituents, developing housing for single persons and care for medical transients through development of short term accommodation for Indigenous people coming from the outer and remote areas for medical treatment.
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