Category 1
Bindjareb Djilba Kaadadjan Bidi Yarning Circle
Bindjareb was founded in 2022 by three Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in response to the decline of the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel-Harvey Estuary) and of Bindjareb Noongar voices in regional decision making.
“It’s a really great example of governance excellence, or people coming together around a purpose, to break down silos of communication amongst the organisations, their interface with stakeholders, governments at all levels, and others who operate in and around this Country.”
– Ivan Ingram, Judge and Category 1 Chair
Northern Nunga Network
The Northern Nunga Network was established in 2021 to address the fragmentation of the service system in northern Adelaide by connecting health, council, police and other social service providers with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community.
“They’re filling the holes in services, they’re connecting people, and then they’re taking the hard edges off the mainstream system and actually teaching the mainstream system better ways of working.”
– Sarah Brown, Judging Panel Member
Wukul Yabang Aboriginal Health Research Panel
Wukul Yabang (One Path) was established in 2023 to help correct the pattern of health research being done about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, rather than with them. The Panel ensures First Nations have a meaningful say at every stage of the research process, and that genuine benefits are delivered to community.
“It’s innovative because it’s community coming together to address a challenge, to address a need, that hasn’t been otherwise dealt with in the silos that operated here.”
– Ivan Ingram, Judge and Category 1 Chair
Category 2
Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival Limited
Blak & Bright is Australia’s leading showcase for First Nations storytellers. Guided by the belief that Blak stories are for everyone, it has grown from a literary festival into a nationally-recognised organisation delivering year-round programming across the country.
“Their journey to become an organisation… in a creative and dynamic sector that is very competitive, to stick to their remit and maintain their integrity has been really, really impressive.”
– Kenny Bedford, Judge and Category 2 Chair
Ngrragoonda Aboriginal Corporation
Founded following formal recognition of Gudjala People’s Native Title rights in 2014, Ngrragoonda ensures Gudjala people exercise their decision-making authority over Country and creates long-term opportunities for their community in Charters Towers, Queensland.
“It’s going to be really exciting to see where this corporation goes. They’ve got big plans, a great strategic plan, and lots of people getting trained up to be the leaders of the future.”
– Sarah Brown, Judging Panel Member
Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation
Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation serves the Narungga community through land and asset management, youth programs, ranger initiatives, infrastructure projects and cultural activities.
“A real strength of the governance approach here is the continued approach to nation-building. Their multi-generational journey is not only thinking of their children and grandchildren but the values and direction their grandparents and great-grandparents wanted to go.”
– Matthew Walsh, Judging Panel Member
Category 3
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
Founded in 1992 in response to increasing pressure from mining, tourism and external management systems, Dhimurru manages approximately 550,000 hectares of Land and Sea Country in Eastern Arnhem Land according to Yolŋu traditions of rom (law), gurrutu (kinship) and wäŋa (Country).
“Dhimurru’s governance wheel brings together Yolnu and Western governance together, working side-by-side, with Yolŋu leadership steering the journey.”
– Karen Sinclair, Judging Panel Member
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation
Jabalbina was founded in 2007 following Native Title recognition for Eastern Kuku Yalanji people in Far North Queensland. Today, it is the central coordinating body for cultural, environmental, economic and community programs in the region.
“It’s been amazing not only to see the impact that Jabalbina are having in community but to see the cultural decision making and the procedures building cultural governance alongside corporate governance.”
– Jahna Cedar, Judge and Category 3 Chair
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2017 in response to strong community concerns about youth wellbeing, crime and anti-social behaviour. It is governed by community, with membership open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 16 living in Wyndham or the surrounding area.
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation was unable to proceed to the site visit stage of the judging process.
Take a look at the winners and finalists from previous Indigenous Governance Awards:
The Indigenous Governance Awards 2020 were postponed due to the pandemic.
