Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation's new headquarters in Spalding, Western Australia. (Image: supplied)
The Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation in Western Australia has found a new home, thanks to support from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
ILSC chipped in over $870,000 to help WYAC in securing its new 2,188 square-metre property on Wajarri Country in WA’s mid-west region.
The purpose-built Spalding headquarters will allow WYAC to better manage the Native Title rights and interests of the Wajarri Yamaji community and its more than 4,500 members, as well expand its existing Heritage function.
With room to grow and a solid foundation, WYAC plans to welcome 20 new team members and establish eight new Indigenous enterprises, with up to 500 Indigenous people participating in training and 50 people placed into employment.
Joe Morrison, the ILSC Group Chief Executive Officer, is thrilled to see WYAC embark on this exciting journey, highlighting that the ILSC’s support is all about helping Indigenous corporations achieve self-determination.
“It means that they’ve got a secure base where they can start developing their capabilities. I understand that they want to establish a ranger program to help with the management of their Country and to look at other economic opportunities in that area as well.”
“I look forward to seeing what WYAC will achieve as a result of their new space, and how it will impact the community in the years to come.”
Graham O’Dell, WYAC’s CEO, expressed gratitude for ILSC’s unwavering support, emphasizing how this property purchase is a huge milestone in the Wajarri Yamaji People’s journey toward owning their own office.
“The assistance received from the ILSC in the purchase of our new premises is a significant event in the Wajarri Yamaji Peoples’ aspirations to own their own office,” said Mr O’Dell.
“We are thankful for the help the ILSC has provided in enhancing the capacity of the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation to service its over 4000 members and manage the native title rights and interests of the Wajarri Yamaji People”.
The new Headquarters is just the tip of the iceberg for WYAC. who will be signing an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the CSIRO and launching the Square Kilometre Array Project with the Federal Government.
