Gumala News - Christmas Edition 2012

GUMALA NEWS 

GUMALA 

Aboriginal 

Corporation 

ICN 2744 

CHRISTMAS 2012 EDITION 

When reading this publication and sharing it with family 

and friends, please be mindful that it may contain images 

and/or names of people who have since passed away 

When reading this publication and sharing it with family and friends, please be mindful 

that it may contain images and/or names of people who have since passed away

GUMALA NEWS CHRISTMAS 2012 EDITION GUMALA NEWS CHRISTMAS 2012 EDITION 

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Chairman’s comment 

Thunurrdu! (Welcome!) 

With the festive season upon us, 

I’d like to share a few thoughts 

about recent happenings at 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation 

(GAC). 

AGM 

GAC Chairman Stephen Peterson 

Firstly, I’d like to thank all GAC 

Members for coming along to the 

AGM on November 24, and also 

to the Elders who attended the 

Elders Meeting the day before the 

AGM. Both meetings were very 

successful. It was an opportunity 

for everyone to provide 

feedback to the Board, which was 

conducted with respect and order 

by all participants. 

I’d like to congratulate the 

three new Directors voted in by 

the Members at the AGM: Roy 

Tommy (Innawonga), Susan Bung 

(Nyiyaparli) and Karen Tommy 

(Banyjima). 

I’m sure these three Directors, 

whose appointments commence 

30 days after the AGM, will 

continue the great work of 

outgoing Directors Doreen 

James (Innawonga), David Stock 

(Nyiyaparli) and Archie Tucker 

(Banyjima). I was privileged to 

be re-elected as Chairman, and 

congratulate Deputy Chairman 

Stuart Ingie Snr and Secretary 

Director David MacLean on being 

re-elected. 

I look forward to continuing our 

work together in the future. 

LISTENING TOUR 

The days leading up to the AGM 

were very busy for myself and the 

CEO, as we went on a Listening 

Tour in several towns where many 

of our Members live. 

The Listening Tour gave us 

the opportunity to gather vital 

feedback from our Members. 

This was an important exercise 

which also allowed us to inform 

our Members of Gumala’s recent 

achievements. We were there 

to listen to the feedback from 

Members on how we could 

continue to improve our service 

and support. 

LORE TIME 

I’d like to express my best wishes 

to all the young men going 

through Lore ceremonies over 

this summer. During this very 

important time in their lives, it’s 

important that they embrace the 

experience and take in all the 

knowledge the Elders pass on to 

them during Lore time. 

SPECIAL 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

The festive season is a time for 

families to come together and 

enjoy good food, laughter and 

fond memories. However some 

families who have lost loved 

ones recently will be doing it 

tough during this time. I’d like 

to especially acknowledge the 

Robinson family for their sad loss. 

Our thoughts are with you during 

this very sad and difficult time. 

THE YEAR AHEAD 

Finally, I’d like to wish all of our 

Members and their families a safe, 

healthy and happy festive season. 

2012 was a successful year for 

Gumala and I am confident that 

this momentum will continue in 

2013. I appreciate the commitment 

and support of the Board as we 

continue to work together to serve 

all of the Members’ best interests. 

Stephen Peterson 

Chairman 

Front cover photo: Taeshallyn 

Egan (daughter of Gumala 

Member Bradi Tucker). Photo 

by Elly Lukale, GAC. 

GUMALA NEWS 

is a Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation (ICN 2744) 

publication. 

Chief Executive 

Officer’s comment 

WA LISTENING TOUR 

It was refreshing and a valuable 

experience for the Chairman and 

I to have travelled throughout WA 

recently. 

We visited over 10 localities and 

met with many Members as part 

of directly engaging with the 

membership and receiving their 

feedback – both good and bad. 

Overall, Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation (GAC) is being 

recognised as providing 

many services that benefit the 

Traditional Owners. 

However, there are many 

challenges still ahead, 

notwithstanding that over the 

past five years the membership 

has doubled and the operational 

budget has increased from $2 

million to $20 million per annum. 

It was heartening to listen and 

to share conversations with 

our Members and to have a 

better appreciation of what 

their expectations are for their 

organisation moving forward. 

The Chairman and I express 

our appreciation to everyone 

who was involved in what I hope 

will become a more regular 

occurrence. 

Steve Mav pictured with Irene Coffin 

during the recent WA Listening Tour 

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH 

During the year significant 

changes were adopted at GAC 

to modernize and enhance our 

operational systems, controls, 

policies and procedures, to 

reflect having become one of the 

largest Aboriginal corporations in 

Australia. 

This included the need to 

strengthen our service delivery 

and to better meet the needs of 

our ever growing membership. 

These changes were accelerated, 

following the Federal Regulator 

issuing a Compliance Notice 

which necessitated immediate 

changes. 

It was a significant chapter in our 

history to have implemented all 

the necessary changes in 2012 

and to have received a clean 

bill of health from the Office 

of the Registrar of Indigenous 

Corporations (ORIC). 

This was in addition to another 

unqualified audit for the financial 

year. 

GAC Chief Executive Officer Steve Mav 

ALASKA/CANADA STUDY 

TOUR 

As part of adopting international 

best practice and becoming 

Australia’s leading Indigenous 

organisation, GAC has established 

a dialogue with some of 

the world’s most innovative 

and reputable Indigenous 

organisations in North America. 

A recent Board delegation 

attended the Alaska Federation 

of Natives Annual Convention in 

Anchorage. Over 4000 delegates 

and representatives participated 

in one of the most significant 

Indigenous conferences around 

the globe. 

It was evident in our meetings 

with officials that international 

partnerships and a borderless 

world are creating new 

opportunities to better achieve 

strong, progressive and innovate 

Indigenous organisations. 

The delegation was fortunate 

to be briefed on contemporary 

Continued > 

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4 

> CEO Comment continued 

governance practices, economic 

and social development programs 

and a number of initiatives that are 

improving the lives of Indigenous 

people throughout the world. 

We also had the opportunity 

to visit, first hand, Indigenous 

communities in the arctic and 

remote parts of Canada. 

The Study Tour is allowing us to 

review our current programs with 

the view of better meeting the 

expectations of the Traditional 

Owners whom we represent. 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

GAC held a successful AGM in 

November with approximately 200 

Members travelling from around 

the State to attend the meeting in 

Paraburdoo (on Innawonga land). 

The sentiment of the meeting 

was overwhelmingly positive 

and a significant decision was 

made by the Members to revisit a 

merger between GAC, the parent 

company and its independent 

trustee to the General Gumala 

Foundation, Gumala Investments 

Proprietary Limited (GIPL). 

Gumala Member Robert Dhu Snr with Steve Mav during the WA Listening Tour 

The Members expressed a 

desire for greater strategic 

alignment and the realisation of 

cost efficiencies across our entire 

operations. 

Congratulations to the Chairman 

(Stephen Peterson), Deputy 

Chairman (Stuart Ingie Senior) 

and Secretary (David MacLean) 

GAC’s Chairman Stephen Peterson and CEO Steve Mav pictured with GAC Members 

during a WA Listening Tour session in Onslow. The listening tour covered several localities 

where many Gumala Members live. 

who were all re-elected. It is 

expected a decision on a new 

structure will be put to the 

Members in the second half of 

2013. 

FINAL NOTE 

This has been a year of continued 

growth and further proof that GAC 

is on its way to becoming the 

leading Aboriginal corporation in 

Australia. 

Whilst there is still much more 

work to do there is no doubt that 

the recent capacity building 

achievements at GAC are 

advancing self-determination 

and improving the lives of the 

Traditional Owners. 

Together with the Board, 

management and our Elders, 

GAC will continue its journey of 

transformational change in the 

New Year. 

Wishing you a prosperous festive 

season and celebrations for those 

currently involved in the ancient 

and important Lore and Culture 

ceremonies over the Christmas 

period. 

Best wishes 

Steve Mav 

Chief Executive Officer 

Education Minister signs partnership 

agreement for Gumala’s unique Early 

Childhood “3A” Project 

WA Education Minister Peter 

Collier has signed a partnership 

agreement between Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation and Tom 

Price Primary School for the 3A 

(Abecedarian Approach Australia) 

Project”, Gumala’s innovative 

Early Childhood Program at the 

Wakuthuni community. 

Minister Collier: “I want to 

congratulate the Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation and the 

Department of Education, through 

Tom Price Primary School, for 

entering into a partnership to 

deliver a program that is designed 

to improve children’s oral 

language, social and emotional 

skills and wellbeing. 

“The program is about 

strengthening links between the 

community and the school and will 

be run in a purpose-built early 

learning studio in the Wakuthuni 

community with fully qualified 

early childhood teachers.” 

The partnership agreement will 

also provide resources for a 

welcome centre for Aboriginal 

students at Tom Price Primary 

School. 

Mr Collier said the Welcome 

Centre at Tom Price Primary 

School helps students with access 

to uniforms, food and basic care 

before, during and after school. 

“This centre is really important as 

it helps all students to enjoy their 

school day without worrying about 

whether or not they have a lunch 

packed or the right uniform,” he 

said. 

The 3A Project is a partnership 

between Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation, The University 

of Melbourne and the Tom 

Price Primary School. It is a 

pioneering model of early 

childhood education that has 

been specifically created for this 

Indigenous community. 

The 3A project (Australian 

Abecedarian Approach) involved 

the design and construction of 

the early childhood education 

facility in the Wakuthuni homeland 

community. Gumala then 

collaborated with University of 

Melbourne Graduate School of 

Education and Tom Price Primary 

School in order to establish the 3A 

education program. 

Gumala Chairman Stephen 

Peterson: “This is an exciting 

development in the life of the 

Wakuthuni early childhood 

centre’s development. This early 

childhood centre is one of the first 

centres in Australia to implement 

the 3A approach. 

“The project was commissioned 

at the request of the local 

community, who identified a 

need to improve the educational 

and developmental outcomes of 

their children. Education is an 

exceptionally important issue for 

Gumala because the Traditional 

Owners constantly remind us 

that the future of the Banyjima, 

Innawonga and Nyiyaparli 

peoples lies in the future of their 

children, their children’s children, 

and future generations.” 

Gumala Chief Executive Officer 

Steve Mav: “Over the last few 

years Gumala has increased its 

spending and focus on education. 

This partnership will allow us to 

continue to focus on education 

being a key developmental tool 

for our Members, especially in the 

early childhood years. 

“The 3A project has been a 

ground breaking project given 

the increasing awareness of the 

significance of early childhood 

education in setting children’s 

learning trajectories and closing 

the education gap. 

“The 3A approach uses learning 

strategies which incorporate 

educational games, conversational 

reading and enriched care 

giving. The approach also assists 

parents by educating them 

about appropriate care-giving 

and learning activities for their 

children.” 


wishes to acknowledge the West 

Pilbara Communities for Children 

for its support of the 3A Project. 

5


Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s highlights reel for 2012 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s list of achievements and milestones in 2012 is the strongest in our 

corporate history. Our financial and operational successes, together with our strengthened corporate 

governance and organisational restructuring, have gone hand in hand with transformational growth 

that now sets us apart as the benchmark for other Aboriginal corporations to follow. Some of our many 

highlights for the year include: 

• A complete clean bill of health 

from the federal regulator, ORIC. 

This tick of approval by ORIC 

is significant and demonstrates 

that GAC is a benchmark for 

other Aboriginal corporations 

throughout Australia, in terms of 

good corporate governance and 

international best practice. 

• GAC’s exceptional financial 

management performance, 

formally recognised in successive 

Annual Reports by way of 

independent unqualified audit 

reports in all respects of GAC’s 

financial operations. 

• Strong relationships with our 

key Stakeholders and Partners, 

including: Rio Tinto, GEPL, 

Compass Group, The University of 

Melbourne, Murdoch University, 

and many others. 

• During the financial year ended 

June 30, 2012, over $10 million 

of funds were spent by Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation on various 

Income Utilisation Categories 

(IUCs). Approximately 43 per 

cent of the funds spent were on 

the Health & Well-being IUC, 

while approximately 25 per cent 

was spent on the Community 

Development IUC. 

The Bellary Springs Community Centre was made possible thanks to an innovative 

partnership between Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, Lotterywest and The University of 

Melbourne. Rio Tinto provided significant in-kind assistance during the construction phase. 

Professor Collette Tayler (The University of Melbourne; 3A Project) pictured with 

Benjamin Limerick. Gumala’s relationship with its key stakeholders, including The University 

of Melbourne, went from strength to strength during 2012. 

• Further programs were 

developed during the year, 

including the Utilities Program 

and the Country Vehicle 

Maintenance and Repair Program. 

GAC now offers over 25 Member 

Services programs (five years 

ago we only had a few programs), 

including Health and Well-being 

Programs and Lore & Culture 

Programs. 

• The design, construction and 

official opening of the Bellary 

Springs Community Centre, in 

partnership with The University 

of Melbourne and Lotterywest. 

This followed on from a successful 

partnership forged during 2011 

which culminated in Gumala’s 

highly successful Early Childhood 

Centre at Wakuthuni. 

• The implementation of the 3A 

Project, a Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation / University of 

Melbourne joint venture. The 3A 

Project is making great gains in 

addressing the need for early 

childhood education within 

GAC’s homeland communities. 

The 3A Project (incorporating 

the Abecedarian Approach 

to learning) and its success 

represent a first for Western 

Australia. Gumala is the first 

organisation in WA to implement 

the Abecedarian Approach in an 

early childhood centre. 

• Capital Works, Community 

Services and Assistance. This 

includes continual improvements 

to existing facilities, maintenance 

and upkeep and installing 

new facilities at our remote 

communities (including those 

communities’ Lore Camps). 

• This year marked the 15 year 

anniversary of the signing of 

the Yandi Land Use Agreement, 

which was the first major land 

use agreement between a 

mining giant and an Aboriginal 

corporation. 

• Housing Projects. Gumala 

progressed its housing projects 

significantly. The South Hedland 

Housing Project is about to enter 

its construction phase, while 

significant gains have been 

progressed Above: The Bellary in bringing Springs Community the Tom Centre The (photo result: taken 15 on years the day later, of the the official Yandi 

Price opening: Elderly June 29, Complex 2012). Inset: project Image taken during mine the has construction become Australia’s 

phase 

largest iron ore producing mine. 

and the Tom Price Housing Project 

to fruition. 

• Health and Education Needs 

Analysis program, in partnership 

with Murdoch University in 2012. 

Murdoch University delivered 

the “Health and Education Needs 

Analysis of Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation Members” report 

which included results and 

conclusions of a comprehensive 

survey of Gumala Members. The 

report also outlined a range of 

detailed recommendations. GAC 

intends to take steps to implement 

some of these recommendations. 

• Highly successful Elders 

Meetings and Annual General 

Meetings at Karijini National Park 

(March 2012) and Paraburdoo 

(November 2012). 

During the financial year ended June 30, 2012, over $10 million of funds were spent by Gumala Aboriginal Corporation on various 

Income Utilisation Categories, including a range of Health & Well Being, Education and Lore & Culture programs for the benefit of all of 

Gumala’s Traditional Owners, young and old. Pictured is young Kira Stream. 

6 

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g 

8 

Construction of South Hedland 

homes about to commence 

Gumala’s South Hedland Housing 

project is on track to enter the 

construction phase early in 2013. 

The Design contract with 

Fleetwood Pty Ltd has been 

CANE RIVER 

Lore Time at Cane River is expected to start in December. Lore Camp upgrades are 

progressing well, with electrical and plumbing works underway. 

WAKUTHUNI 

Perspective View - 4x2 House 

The Lore Camp upgrades at Wakuthuni commenced in October. Key upgrades 

recently completed: 

• Reticulation water system completed in the family camp 

• Fencing around the generator and windmill 

• General repairs 

Wakuthuni’s Lore Time started in November. A study will be done on the effectiveness 

of the recent upgrades and repairs once Lore has finished. 

YOUNGALEENA 

There was no Lore ceremony at Youngaleena this year. However, electrical works have 

been organised for the Lore camp. 

BELLARY SPRINGS 

signed for 10 pre-fabricated 

modular homes. These three and 

four bedroom homes will be prefabricated 

in Perth and delivered 

to South Hedland. 

The design concept of Gumala’s South Hedland homes (design concept subject to change) 

Update on Lore camp 

upgrades 

19 Jewell Parade 

North Fremantle, Western Australia 6159 

T 08 9335 5220 

F 08 9335 5281 

www.formworks.com.au 

© Copyright Formworks Architecture 2012 

There was no Lore ceremony at Bellary Springs this year. However, works are being 

organised to complete water supply works to the Lore grounds. 

The homes will be erected on lots 

of land in the Demarchi Estate in 

South Hedland. 

Gumala is also making initial 

steps to engage a consultant to 

put a tenancy allocation process 

in place. 

Once the South Hedland Housing 

project is underway, Gumala will 

concentrate on bringing the Tom 

Price Housing project and the Tom 

Price Elders’ Complex to fruition. 

Gumala’s housing strategy aims 

to source land and construct 

appropriate residential 

accommodation for our Members 

throughout the Pilbara. This will 

incrementally address the chronic 

accommodation shortage that 

exists for Gumala Members living 

in Pilbara regional centres and in 

Homeland communities. 

Official opening of Perth CBD office celebrates 

a prudent investment in our future 

Perth’s central business district 

officially welcomed its new 

residents in October as the 

General Gumala Foundation, 

its Trustee and its Manager, 

celebrated the official opening of 

Gumala’s Adelaide Terrace office. 


(GAC) and Gumala Investments 

Pty Ltd (GIPL) moved to the 

prominent 165 Adelaide Terrace 

address following the purchase of 

three floors as part of the General 

Gumala Foundation’s investment 

portfolio. 

GIPL Chairperson Dianne Guise: 

“The Adelaide Terrace purchase 

represented a prudent investment 

which would be for the long 

term benefit of the Foundation’s 

Traditional Owners.” 

WA State Government representative 

Andrea Mitchell MLA 

Ms Guise said the opening 

ceremony was an opportunity 

to celebrate the on-going 

relationship between the General 

Gumala Foundation and Rio Tinto. 

“This coincides with the 15 year 

anniversary of the Yandi Land Use 

Agreement in 2012. The Yandi 

Land Use Agreement signed in 

1997 enabled Rio Tinto to develop 

the Yandicoogina mine on our 

Traditional Owners’ land. It is now 

Australia’s biggest iron ore mine 

and the revenue stream stemming 

from the agreement continues to 

provide long-term benefits to the 

Foundation’s Beneficiaries.” 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s 

Chairman, Stephen Peterson: 

GAC Chairman Stephen Peterson watches Gumala Elders (and two of the original 

signatories to the Yandi Land Use Agreement) Gordon Yuline and Naydene Robinson 

during the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

“It was important for GAC, as 

Manager of the General Gumala 

Foundation, to find an office 

that could host an area for our 

Beneficiaries to come and use 

computer facilities, phones and 

Alex Bates, Rio Tinto General Manager - 

Yandicoogina 

printing so that they can apply 

for jobs, send or print their CVs, 

make important phone calls or 

seek funding assistance. It is also 

important that the Traditional 

GIPL Chair 

Di Guise 

addresses an 

audience of 

over 100 

special guests 

who attended 

the official 

opening 

ceremony 

Owners are proud of their 

organisation’s building, feel 

comfortable to come and use the 

facilities and get to know the staff.” 

Mr Peterson emphasised that 

GAC’s Head Office will always 

remain in Tom Price. 

“The heart of Gumala lies in the 

Pilbara and the Head Office of the 

organisation will always remain 

in Tom Price. This is where our 

connection to country is and 

where our traditional roots are.” 

Ms Guise: “Today the relationship 

between Gumala Investments, 


and Rio Tinto remains strong and 

transparent and we are committed 

to the future of the Foundation’s 

Beneficiaries and their future 

generations as we work at the 

heart of the issues to ‘close 

the gap’ between Indigenous 

Australians and the wider 

community.” 

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GUMALA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION ELDERS MEETING & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IMAGES – NOVEMBER 23 & 24, 2012 

Approximately 200 Gumala Members plus their families attended the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) 

2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday November 24, 2012. The AGM, as well as the Elders Meeting 

held the day before, were highly successful and rewarding events. 

GAC Board Members and the CEO 

Alec Tucker 

Eileen James and Tadgee Limerick 

Stuart Ingie Snr and David 

MacLean 

Bonny Tucker, Suzanne Parker and Gladys Tucker 

Winston Bobby 

GAC Chairman Stephen Peterson and CEO Steve Mav 

Timothy Parker 

10 

Nicholas Cook chaired the AGM 

Claude Cox and Slim Parker 

11



Food and drinks catered for the big gathering of Gumala 

Members and their families at the AGM 

Byron Black, Delena Drage, Meachum Kelly Jnr, Zandra Parker, Shona 

Hayes, Georgina Hubert, Tanya Hubert, Charmaine Parker, Grant 

Hayes and Tremelle Hubert 

Johnell Jones 

Julie Walker 

Archie Tucker 

Bev Hubert 

Lauren Lyndon with Taeshallyn Egan 

Kathleen Johnny and Tadgee Limerick 

Brad Hall and Dorothy Hall 

12 

April Stream 

BonnyTucker and young Quaylisgha Martin 

13



Dawn Hicks 

Todd Jones and Tyrone Jones 

Jada Whalebone 

Bruce Bung 

May Byrne, Bev Hubert and Thelma Parker 

John Todd 

Michelle Hubert, Delena Drage, Meachum Kelly Jnr and Charmaine Parker 

David Cox, Betty Peterson and Doreen Aitchison 

Kurtis Hayes, Tremelle Hubert and Byron Black 

Karen Mitchell 

14 

15



Guy Parker 

Margaret Parker and Daliah Parker 

Patricia Anne Derschow and July Namok 

Edward Dhu Senior 

Dwayne Namok and July Namok 

Winston Bobby 

Ken Ingie Snr 

Maitland Parker 

Stephen Peterson and mum Betty Peterson 

Keith Hall 

Debbie Cox and kids Traceilyah Parker and Joshua Cox 

16 

17



Gordon Yuline 

Alberta Roy 

Tracon Parker Jnr 

Roy Tommy 

Brett Derschow 

Charlie Smith 

Dynah Namok 

Kira Stream 

18 

19


A young Banyjima student 

excelling at school has been 

selected for Western Australia’s 

first academic enrichment 

program for Indigenous students, 

The Aspiration Initiatives (TAI) 

academic enrichment program. 

Brock Parker (14), was one of 30 

Aboriginal students in WA to be 

selected for the program earlier 

this year. 

The program provides Aboriginal 

and Torres Strait Islander students 

with thorough educational 

support throughout the academic 

year and school holidays for five 

years. 

In October, Brock attended the 

TAI’s first residential camp where 

the students came together to 

20 

Academic excellence is just the 

beginning for young aspiring pilot 

Brock Parker pictured beside his aunty Natalie Parker 

meet, develop learning skills 

including public speaking and to 

participate in activities such as art. 

“The best part of the first camp 

was making new friends,” said 

Brock. 

Brock who is from the Youngaleena 

Community, did most of his 

education with Port Hedland 

School of the Air. 

This year he is studying Art, 

Maths, PE, Science, and is in the 

top English class for his year 

alongside his favourite specialist 

subject – Skywest Aviation. 

SKYWEST AVIATION COURSE 

While Brock may be performing 

well at school, he aspires to either 

be a commercial pilot or gain a 

position in other areas of aviation 

when he graduates high school. 

This year he took up a specialist 

paper “Skywest Aviation”, which 

he will continue for the next four 

years of his high school career. 

The course, which is a partnership 

with Skywest Aviation, will set 

him up to walk away with a pilots 

degree and pilot experience by 

the end of year 12. 

Over the next two years, the 

course will provide him with 

comprehensive theory about how 

planes are made and the ins-andouts 

of the industry. 

In year 11, Brock will be able to 

put his theory to the test when the 

junior pilot will be able to learn 

how to fly the school’s very own 

Cessna 152 and 172 planes. 

FOLLOWING HIS DREAM 

Being a pilot is a dream that he 

has had his heart set on since he 

was four years old. With great 

family support around him, Brock 

has also been inspired by his pop 

Patrick Tittums’ achievements 

which include putting himself 

through flying school and nearing 

on completion to gain his wings to 

become a pilot. 

“It’s always been my aspiration 

to be a pilot. I have always been 

fascinated with planes since I was 

younger,” he said. 

Brock’s aspiration of being a 

pilot also stems to his growing 

collection of commercial plane 

models such as Qantas, Jets Star, 

Tiger and Virgin airlines which he 

says he either buys on Ebay or at 

the airport. 

”One day I want to travel to 

Malaysia because the country 

interests me and I want to see 

the Twin Towers (the Petronas 

Towers).” 

Top Melbourne Girls College graduate 

helps break down stereotypes 

Dedication and hard work 

is paying off for a Gumala 

Scholarship student at Melbourne 

Girl’s College and she hopes to set 

an example for fellow Indigenous 

students in ‘closing the gap’ in 

education in Australia. 

Year 12 student, Karri Walker 

(18), knows that studying hard 

and taking advantage of the 

opportunities when they are 

offered goes a long way. 

Last year she was awarded two 

awards of recognition. The first 

was for her level of achievement in 

Food Technology. 

The second was a special award 

called the Madeline Hawkins 

Perpetual Award. Karri was the 

first recipient of this award, which 

is awarded to a student who 

embodies the philosophies of the 

school and who demonstrates 

tenacity, motivation and dedication 

to the school. 

Karri is studying a full course of 

Food and Technology, Business 

Management and her two 

favourite subjects English and 

Legal Studies - two subjects which 

have influenced her career path 

next year; a double degree in 

Arts and Law at The University of 

Melbourne. 

YEAR 12 EXAM 

PREPARATION 

Year 12 student Karri Walker 

In the lead up to her exams 

in November, she had been 

studying hard and is determined 

to graduate at the end of the 

year with a 90 ATAR score which 

will see her gain entrance into 

University. 

“This year I have been spending 

a lot of my time at the library 

studying. I haven’t dropped 

below a 90 percent average in my 

grades”, she said. 

FUTURE GOALS 

For the young Nyiyaparli woman, 

studying hard at school and 

having a goal is an example 

that she wants to set for other 

Aboriginal students. 

According to the 2011 census, 25 

percent of Aboriginal and Torres 

Strait Islander people completed 

year 12 or equivalent in Australia 

in 2011. 

“There are scholarships that are 

available to Aboriginal people 

and amazing opportunities. If 

you make use of the resources 

available and the opportunities 

offered to you, you can achieve 

your dreams.” 

“The greatest thing is if Aboriginal 

students can do well they can 

break those racist stereotypes that 

others have of Aboriginal people,” 

she said. 

It is her own Aboriginal 

background that she attributes to 

giving her drive to studying hard 

in school. For now, she hopes that 

one day she will be able to use 

a law degree to give back to the 

community and help Aboriginal 

people who do not have easy 

access to legal facilities. 

Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation scholarships 

are currently provided 

to over 80 Gumala 

students (Members/ 

Beneficiaries) in order 

to assist in their goals of 

outstanding achievements 

in their chosen fields. 

This includes academic 

(school, undergraduate and 

postgraduate), the arts, 

music and sport. 

21


22 

Praise for Gumala’s three 

out-going Directors 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) wishes to whole-heartedly thank our three out-going 

Directors whose appointments end on December 24, 2012. We thank each of you for your 

important contributions and hard work on the Board, as well as the invaluable guidance and 

wisdom each of you have provided to the Board. 

David Stock 

DIRECTOR 

ELDER 

Nyiyaparli 

David is from traditional 

Nyiyaparli land in Mount Newman. 

David has served on previous 

GAC Boards, and has also been 

a long-time heritage survey 

adviser to Rio Tinto. One of David’s 

life-long passions has been the 

preservation of traditional culture, 

heritage and language. 

Doreen James 

DIRECTOR 

ELDER 

Innawonga 

Doreen has served on previous 

GAC Boards and is also the 

current Chairperson of Ashburton 

Aboriginal Corporation. 

Doreen is a traditional and proud 

Innawonga Elder and resides in 

Tom Price. 

Archie Tucker 

DIRECTOR 

ELDER 

Banyjima 

Archie is a long-standing member 

of the Board and a former 

Chairman. He was born at Giralia 

Station and grew up in Wittenoom 

with his brother and two sisters. 

He is a hands-on man that has 

always worked tirelessly in the 

communities. 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation’s three newly elected 

Directors, Roy Tommy (Innawonga), Susan Bung (Nyiyaparli) 

and Karen Tommy (Banyjima) join the nine existing 

Board Members on the GAC Board: Stephen Peterson, 

Chairman (Nyiyaparli), Stuart Ingie Snr, Deputy Chairman 

(Innawonga), David MacLean, Secretary (Banyjima), Slim 

Parker (Banyjima), Keith Hall (Nyiyaparli), Nicholas Cook 

(Innawonga), Natalie Parker (Nyiyaparli), Shane Derschow 

(Banyjima) and Cecil Parker (Innawonga). 

Nyiyaparli artist takes inspiration 

from family history & the Pilbara 

A well-known Gumala Member 

and Aboriginal artist took her 

paintings to the world stage in Port 

Hedland in October. 

Arron Yarran travelled to the 

coastal town to showcase her 

artwork to the first of many 

international tourists arriving in 

the Pilbara by cruise ships this 

summer. 

“It was a good learning curve 

when I went to meet the cruise 

ships. There are more trips 

planned for the coming year. “ 

Arron is a humble Nyiyaparli 

woman who wears many hats: 

Mother/Grandmother, youth 

worker, nationally qualified trainer 

and artist. 

Arron has always had a passion 

for art and has sold art works that 

have gone all over the world. In 

addition to being a professional 

artist, Arron has a long history of 

working with people in a variety of 

settings. 

She ran a series of very successful 

art projects with young Indigenous 

people who had solvent abuse 

issues. This resulted in many of 

them making positive changes 

to their behaviours. She also 

managed an urban art project with 

young graffiti artists, delivered a 

ground breaking art project run by 

Aboriginal women for Aboriginal 

women in Bandyup prison, 

designed and ran school based 

art classes with truant children 

and numerous other art related 

projects with youth at risk. Arron 

also volunteers with the elderly 

when time permits. 

Arron has numerous art works 

for sale in galleries throughout 

Perth and with many sold through 

the Kings Park Art Gallery. Her 

artwork is inspired by her family 

history and the people and the 

scenery in the Pilbara. 

“It’s hard to describe going up to 

my country. It really gets into my 

heart. Sitting in the bush is tranquil 

and peaceful. It’s really beautiful. 

I get inspired by the colours, the 

feeling of being in the bush and 

the strong living culture.” 

This year Arron has worked 

with Gumala to facilitate the 

development of her business. In 

August Arron went on a road trip 

from Perth to Port Hedland where 

she pitched her artwork to local 

galleries and outlets and held a 

stall in the Shire of Port Hedland to 

market her artwork. 

Outside of working on her 

business Arron has been back in 

the classroom teaching art at Swan 

View Primary school to seven to 

twelve year olds. 

The children are inspired to tell 

their story through art and realise 

the importance that education 

plays in their lives. 

“I get them to write their story out 

first and then I encourage them to 

paint their story.” 

“When I see people with the skills 

to do art, I get emotional,” she 

added. 

Next June Arron plans to hold an 

exhibition ‘The Stolen Ones’ at 

Kings Park. The exhibition will 

focus on the Stolen Generation 

with stories inspired by her family 

history including those of her 

Mother and Grandmother. 

Arron’s Grandmother was stolen 

from Roy Hill and put in Mogumba 

in the Moore River settlement. Her 

Mother was stolen from Geraldton 

and put into Sister Kate’s Homes. 

23


A young Gumala Member 

received a special visit from a 

very special AFL footy star while 

recovering from a serious car 

accident in Shenton Park hospital 

in October. 

Banyjima teenager, Kyle Eaton, 

was a happy patient when he 

received a special visit from 

fellow Gumala Beneficiary and 

professional footballer Gerrick 

Weedon. 

Kyle was in Shenton Park hospital 

in Perth for two months following 

24 

Footy star pays a special visit to 

fellow Gumala Traditional Owner 

a car accident in Roebourne 

which could have claimed his life. 

He was hit by a car and suffered 

major injuries including a broken 

leg, pelvis, arm and wrist. 

Kyle’s mother, Gumala Member 

Denise Smith, said that Gerrick’s 

visit lifted her son’s spirits. 

Before the accident Kyle was 

studying at Carmel College in 

Perth (on a Gumala scholarship) 

and was a talented football player. 

Gerrick sat and talked to Kyle 

in hospital for a couple of hours 

Gumala Member and footy star Gerrick Weedon presents Gumala Beneficiary Kyle Eaton 

with a signed West Coast Eagles shirt at Shenton Park hospital 

and presented him with a signed 

Eagles shirt. 

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY 

Kyle’s recovery in hospital 

initially hindered his bones from 

healing due to stressing about his 

recovery, the lack of having his 

friends around and the hospital 

food that he didn’t particularly 

like. 

Kyle’s mother Denise had cooked 

up and brought in some food to 

the hospital to ensure that he was 

eating. 

Denise said that while in the 

hospital she noticed that another 

boy in the ward seemed to have 

a quicker recovery by having his 

friends around him. 

“So we flew a couple of Kyle’s 

friends to Perth to see him. It did 

help... he was healed within a 

week,” said Denise. 

ON THE MEND 

In mid-October Kyle returned to 

his home in Roebourne. While he 

will not be able to return to school 

in Perth until next year, he was 

able to keep up with his school 

work in hospital with a laptop 

and school books which were 

provided by Gumala. 

However, the enthusiastic 

footballer will not be able to 

return to the field for another six 

to twelve months. 

Denise said: “I’m very grateful to 

Gumala and their staff for their 

support, including phone calls to 

check on Kyle’s recovery.” 

Denise is also thankful to her 

partner, Troy Eaton’s family, in 

particular, his grandmother Doris 

Eaton and older cousin brother 

Renan Eaton, for supporting Kyle 

during his lonely time in hospital.” 

A passion for helping others drives 

young nursing student 

As the spotlight continues to 

focus on the health of Aboriginal 

people, one Gumala Member 

has been working hard towards 

a nursing qualification at an 

Aboriginal registered training 

organisation this year. 

First year nursing student, Rueben 

Robinson, has been studying 

towards a Diploma in Nursing at 

Marr Mooditj, a registered training 

organisation that specialises in 

health care courses for Aboriginal 

and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The Diploma in Nursing is a fulltime 

18 month course which runs 

in three week blocks and gives 

students a two to three week break 

to return to their communities. The 

course is packaged with lectures 

Monday to Friday between 9am 

and 4pm and six practicals (prac) 

at hospitals across Perth which 

consists of nine hour shifts. 

Marr Mooditj is equipped with 

on-going support for its students 

including a nurse mentor and 

team leader visits on practicals, 

study groups and lectures. 

Accommodation is provided on 

the campus whilst the students are 

studying. 

“Being on prac and having the 

one-on-one patient contact, 

talking to them, and then seeing 

them getting better is definitely 

the best part of nursing. It is what 

makes my studies to be a nurse 

worth it,” said Reuben. 

Reuben first discovered his 

calling for nursing when he was 

working as a Liaison Officer and a 

volunteer ambulance paramedic 

at Meekatharra hospital in 2009. 

“Helping out with emergencies 

and resuscitations in the 

ambulance was an adrenaline 

rush but dealing with death is the 

hardest part of the job,” he said. 

Whilst his experience at 

Meekatharra hospital gave him an 

initial calling and insight into the 

medical world, Reuben also was 

given a big eye opener during 

his time as the Chairperson for 

the Kids After Dark program in 

Meekatharra. 

HELPING YOUTH AT RISK 

Kids After Dark is the first of its 

kind. Funded by Rio Tinto, the 

program helps youth at risk. 

Every Thursday and Saturday 

night, volunteers find youth 

wondering the streets after dark 

and take them to a safe house 

where they talk to them about 

why they are out late and try to 

figure out what is going on at 

home. 

The volunteers also assist in 

communicating with the families 

to find a solution to any problems 

at home. The children have an 

option to stay at the safe house for 

a night and are given breakfast in 

the morning before being sent off 

to school. 

“The kids gave me the 

confidence to interact with 

people and to know how to deal 

with different situations including 

juvenile kids and justice kids. 

It was an eye opener at such a 

young age,” he said. 

A life lesson he says has made 

Rueben Robinson 

him more empathetic towards his 

patients. 

Today at 25, the young Banyjima 

man has discovered that 

education, hard work and 

commitment will help you achieve 

your goals and get you where you 

want to be in life. 

“It doesn’t matter how old you are. 

My class has a range of people 

from all over Western Australia 

and different ages ranging from 

17-60 years old. Anybody who 

wants to study, do what you want 

to do and do not let anyone stop 

you.” 

However, he realises that for many 

people undertaking a full time 

course is not always easy due 

to family commitments and the 

ability to go back to school and 

take up full-time study. 

Already in his first year of nursing 

he has seen many class mates 

struggle and leave the course for 

different reasons. 

“The first six months were the 

hardest. We started the year with 

a class size of 20 people and now 

we are down to seven within nine 

months. If you can make it past 

block four (medications), then it is 

easier.” 

Many people who want to study 

are put off by the idea because 

they have young children at home. 

However, Rueben advises that if 

they do have family support back 

at home to mind the children while 

they are away studying in Perth, 

then it is easier. 

Rueben will graduate in June next 

year but he doesn’t plan to stop 

there. Following his Diploma, he 

plans to start an 18 month full-time 

Registered Nursing Degree. 

He says after he has completed 

his studies he wants to spend 

a year remote nursing in the 

Northern Territory and then head 

overseas to Vietnam and Africa as 

a volunteer nurse. 

25


26 

Member Services notices 

Privacy and 

security of 

information 

The privacy and security of Gumala Members’ 

information is of utmost importance to Gumala 


For this reason, when you call the Member Solutions 

Team, security information (password and date 

of birth) is required before we can discuss your 

application. 

All Members must be mindful that the Member 

Solutions Team are not able to discuss any details or 

information about another Member. 

The only exception to this is if a Member provides 

specific written authority to Gumala for another 

Member to act on their behalf. 

Processing 

efficiencies 

During the period 1st July to 31st October 2012 

Gumala’s Member Solutions Team has received 6773 

applications from Gumala members. 

The Member Solutions Team strive to process 

applications from Members within seven working 

days and during this period approximately 90 per 

cent of applications were finalised within this seven 

day timeframe. 

In addition our Member Solutions Team receives, on 

average, 200-300 phone calls each day. 

The Member Service Team is therefore an extremely 

busy place and we would like to thank all Members 

for their patience and understanding during these 

busy periods. 

Christmas 

Office closure 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation wishes 

to advise all Members that our offices 

will be closed for several days during the 

Christmas and New Year period. 

We will be closed from Friday December 

21 at noon, and will re-open for business 

as usual on Monday January 7 2013. 

For EMERGENCIES only, please call 1800 

486 252 and leave a message. 

Members advised 

to get Lore 

applications in 

early 

Gumala Members who wish to apply 

for Lore & Culture funding during 

Lore Time are advised to submit their 

applications in advance. 

Any applications that are received 

at the last minute run the risk of not 

getting approved in time. 

Young Banyjima woman takes 

out Pilbara Girl 2012 title 

A young Banyjima woman was 

crowned Pilbara Girl 2012 at the 

annual Pilbara Girl competition in 

Karratha in August. 

Gumala Member, Lisa-Marie Rodd 

(16), took out the competition 

ahead of eight other finalists in 

the contest. 

It is the first year that the year 

11 Karratha Senior High School 

student has entered in the 

competition and has now become 

the first Karratha girl to win the 

competition since it started in 

2004. 

Lisa-Marie who is regarded by 

her friends and family to be of a 

placid and reserved nature said 

that entering into the competition 

has increased her confidence, 

given her life skills, grooming and 

development confidence and has 

provided her with the opportunity 

to be a role model to other 

Indigenous girls in Australia. 

“I don’t know how to explain 

it, I was really shocked. I didn’t 

expect my name to be called out. 

I was just sitting there and I was so 

happy and excited. I didn’t think I 

was going to win I just went there 

to have fun, learn new things and 

experience modelling,” said Lisa- 

Marie. 

Lisa-Marie’s grandmother, Kaye 

White, said: “Lisa-Marie’s mum 

and I were definitely over the 

moon when she was announced 

the winner. We can’t express how 

proud we were of her.” 

The competition is designed to 

target young Indigenous women 

between 16 and 25 to build their 

confidence, host structured 

workshops and events about 

contemporary issues including 

helping contestants to overcome 

the impact of social, economic, 

and isolation disadvantages and 

to bring the community together. 

Incidentally, each contestant 

wore a dress that was designed 

by Gumala Member and fashion 

designer, Lilla Gagliano. Since 

being crowned Pilbara Girl 2012, 

Lisa-Marie has gained exposure to 

the modelling world, having done 

modelling for Kandina Designs in 

August. 

She has also attended events 

around Australia to represent the 

Pilbara and to encourage other 

Indigenous girls. 

In October she made a visit to 

Broome and she also attended 

Kimberley Girl to tell them about 

what it was like to be Pilbara 

girl, and to inspire the other 

Indigenous girls. 

“I want to encourage the other 

girls to not be shy and just 

be yourself and build your 

confidence up.” 

For now, alongside being a role 

model and Pilbara Girl 2012, Lisa- 

Marie wants to focus on the last 

two years of her schooling and 

eventually study at University to 

become a veterinary nurse. 

Photos courtesy of Goolarri Media. 

27


Rio Tinto has been awarded the Chief Executive Safety Award for 

its Yandicoogina Iron Ore mine. 

In announcing the safety awards, which were awarded to two of 

Rio Tinto’s global mining sites, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Tom 

Albanese said the award recognises the exceptional safety 

culture exemplified by a passion for and dedication to zero harm. 

“The outstanding quality of this year’s nominations made the 

task of judging so difficult that we have decided to award the 

main Chief Executive Safety Award jointly. Our first winner of 

this award, Yandicoogina, was felt to have a deeply embedded 

culture that everyone can help make a difference,” Mr Albanese 

said. 

“The 13 nominations were submitted by a product group chief 

executive or functional head – each in recognition of these sites’ 

excellent performance and strong zero harm safety culture. 

“An assessment panel, made up of senior leaders from across 

the business, visited each of the nominated sites, before 

passing their recommendations on to me. In evaluating the 

sites, the panel reviewed safety performance data, but were 

also especially interested in the strength of the locations’ safety 

culture and leadership. 

“What they found at each site was evidence of hard work, 

passion and an outstanding commitment to safety improvements 

and innovation. They are an inspiration to us all.” 

28 

Yandi Mine crowned with 

international safety award 

Since the Yandi Land 

Use Agreement was 

signed in 1997, a 

strategic partnership 

has been forged and 

strengthened between 

Rio Tinto and Gumala 


Gumala’s Members 

are the Traditional 

Owners of the land on 

which the Yandicoogina 

(Yandi) mine operates. 

Above: a recent aerial shot of the Yandi mine (image courtesy of Rio Tinto) 

Below: Current GAC Deputy Chairman Stuart Ingie Snr, current GAC CEO Steve Mav, and former GAC Chairman 

Darren Injie - image captured at the Yandi mine in March 2010 by current GAC Chairman Stephen Peterson 

Yandi Facts 

Mining at Yandicoogina was originally 

approved in 1997. The project is Rio Tinto’s 

biggest operating iron ore mine in Australia, 

producing up to 60 million tonnes per annum 

(Mtpa). The upcoming Yandi Phase 2 works 

will include: 

• developing Junction South West deposit 

• construction of new 28Mtpa wet processing 

plant at Junction South East and associated 

infrastructure to allow below water table 

mining 

• upgrades to existing Junction Central dry 

plant 

• expansion of existing Yandi construction 

camp and permanent village and associated 

works and services 

• Junction South West to replace Junction 

Central mine 

Life changing artistic outlet sets Kaye 

on an exciting new path 

There are many talented Members 

amongst our Membership, some 

of which have been fortunate 

enough to unexpectedly discover 

life changing creative outlets that 

have set them on a new path…. 

GAC Member, Kaye Jones 

(married name), or better known 

as Kaye White (Traditional Owner 

and artist name), unlocked a life 

changing creative outlet when 

she moved to Karratha three years 

ago. 

Unbeknown to Kaye, for several 

years she had been secretly 

harbouring away an artistic talent 

that would see her become an 

up-coming artist, selling out of 

her artwork at Rio Tinto’s art 

exhibition this year. 

Kaye first discovered her artistic 

flair when she and her daughter, 

Sally White, both decided to try 

their hands at canvas painting. 

“I just thought I would buy some 

canvas and try my hand at it. I 

started off painting with a paint 

brush and was constantly looking 

for new designs and shapes,” said 

Kaye. 

“The paintings were a bit shaky 

at first but after awhile I got better 

and the paintings improved.” 

For Kaye, painting also became an 

outlet where she could channel 

the energy from the everyday 

grind into a painting. 

“It channels my energy from a 

negative day to having a good 

day. When I sit down and I paint 

it gets me into a happy, relaxed 

mood. It helps me to stay positive 

and gives me confidence that I am 

doing something good that I love.” 

“Looking at the end result and 

the colours is what I love about 

painting and what inspires me the 

most.” 

Today the humble Banyjima 

woman is a full time artist. While 

she doesn’t see painting as her full 

time work, instead merely calling 

it a “hobby art”, she has managed 

to go from strength to strength. 

Over the last two years Kaye has 

moved away from the paint brush 

and taken up tooth pick patterns. 

In September of this year, Kaye 

featured four pieces of her 

artwork in Rio Tinto’s ‘Colour of 

the Country’ art exhibition in 

Perth. This included exhibiting 

two emu eggs, which was her first 

trial run of tooth pick painting on 

emu eggs. 

Artist Kaye White (Jones) with one of her paintings 

Within the first week of the 

opening of the exhibition, all four 

of her pieces sold out. 

“I was so excited to know that 

people love my work.” 

Kaye attributes her success to 

artistic role model Patricia Floyd 

at Yinjaa-Barni Art. Several months 

after she began painting, Kaye and 

Sally both got up enough courage 

to take half a dozen framed 

canvases to Patricia. 

“We were sitting in the car 

together for a while before we 

went in because we were both 

really nervous. I told Sally to go 

in first but we eventually ended 

up getting the courage to go in 

together.” 

When they went inside the well 

known Yinjaa-Barni artist picked 

a canvas each and instructed the 

new-found artists to go home and 

paint a bigger one. 

“That’s how it all started,” said 

Kaye. 

Three years on from when Kaye 

first picked up a paint brush, she 

wants to continue painting and 

have more paintings ready for the 

next exhibition Yinjaa-Barni art 

has in 2013. 

One of Kaye’s painting (pictured above) 

featured as artwork in Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation’s 2012 Annual Report 

29


Letters of appreciation from Members 

The following letters of appreciation were recently sent to 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) by Gumala Members. 

Dear GAC, 

I would like to share this positive 

story with you. 

I had a phone call from my 

daughter yesterday, Cassandra 

Jevdenijevic who lives in the NT. 

Cassandra had good news to tell 

me, which is unusual as Cassandra 

recently lost all her vision from a 

disease and is now legally blind. 

Cassandra’s 15 year old son, my 

eldest grandson, Dennis had a 

phone call from his rugby coach 

and was selected for recruitment 

training and development for the 

Cowboys Rugby League Club. 

The development and training will 

be with the NT Rugby League. What 

a proud moment for Dennis. 

This is a young man who is the 

primary carer for his mother and 

youngest brother, Jayden, who is 

nine years old. 

Dennis has done a marvellous job 

caring for his family. Dennis is listed 

with the NT Carers Association; 

I was amazed when I attended a 

meeting with my grandson, and the 

NT Carers Association on how many 

young people who are primary 

carers of adults or younger siblings. 

The NT Carers Association assists 

the young carers to join sports and 

recreation, and education to ensure 

that these young people have the 

same opportunities as others. 

Dennis attends the Palmerston 

Senior College, year 10, and is 

part of Clontarf Football Academy, 

and recently played in the NT Cup 

which is an Indigenous program. 

Dennis was recently selected from 

his club the Palmerston Raiders to 

play in the Nationals to represent 

the NT in the 15 yrs, rugby league, 

against all the other states. 

The NT won the competition by 

winning against WA in the finals. 

Dennis is the grandson of Evelyn 

Kroczek (nee Crowe) and greatgrandson 

of Irene Coffin. 

I would like this opportunity 

to say thank you to GAC who 

sponsors Dennis under the Sports 

(Scholarship) Program. 

Thanks for funding Dennis which 

has enabled him to play rugby 

league, which has given my 

grandson this fantastic career 

opportunity. 

Kind Regards, Evelyn Kroczek, 

Nyiyaparli 

Dennis (doing the “number one” signal) pictured with his rugby team 

To whom it may concern, 

I am writing on behalf of 

myself (Rachel Thomas) and 

my son Kieran Thomas. I have 

been very lucky in being given 

two very bright boys that have 

always excelled academically. 

Many a time I have been 

frightened for their future 

education and wondering 

as a single Mum if I could 

even come close to giving 

their bright minds what they 

require. 

Children like Kieran and 

Jamie can quite easily become 

targets of bullying because 

of the way they conduct 

themselves and it is noticeably 

different to a normal 

mainstream child. 

I have always had fears 

whether I have the ability to 

see them through, to help 

them meet their full potential. 

Thank you to the Gumala 

staff and their ability to 

always make me feel able to 

approach you all on many 

different issues. I have found 

my fears subside dramatically. 

I want to thank Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation and 

staff endlessly for the support 

you have given me over the 

last twelve months in seeing 

my son Kieran thrive because 

of the high standard of 

education he has been lucky to 

receive by the funding given to 

us by Gumala. 

My household runs a lot 

smoother in more areas than I 

even realised. I can’t express 

the thanks I would like to give 

to the wonderful staff that I 

have dealt with on a regular 

basis and wish you all the best 

for the future. 

Sincerely, Rachel Thomas 

Dear Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation, 

Thank you once again for your 

support this year. 

Without your contribution 

towards exhibitor stands and 

accommodation my attendance at 

the Fashion Exposed Melbourne 

Exhibition August 26-28 would not 

have been possible. 

Thank you also for the initial 

funding of computer and software 

that was also fundamental in the 

preparation for the exhibition. 

I was able to successfully launch 

a new website, produce my own 

images for the site and develop 

marketing material and lookbooks 

in time for the exhibition. 

The exhibition itself was a great 

learning experience. I was able 

to network with fashion agents, 

photographers, manufacturers and 

other designers. 

And although there were low 

attendance records from buyers 

because of the financial situation I 

am pleased to say I have picked up 

three retail buyers and one fashion 

agent, making the exhibition very 

successful for what we wanted to 

achieve. 

In the next few months I will be 

following up on other buyers from 

the exhibition and contacting stores 

nationally and hopefully pick up 

some more retail buyers. 

How to contact Gumala News 

Lilla Gagliano 

I am very grateful for the support 

you have offered me in the 

development of my business 

Kaninda Pty Ltd. 

I know that without your support 

I would not have been able to 

achieve my goals this year. 

Sincerely, 

Lilla Gagliano, 

Gumala Member 

Any Gumala Members who have a great 

yarn to tell about themselves or their 

loved ones, please feel free to contact 

us so that we can share it with the rest of 

the Gumala community. Please contact 

Gumala’s PR & Communications team on 

1800 486 252. 

30 

31


An artistic piece of photography 

selected this year for the Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) 

2012 Annual Report front and back 

cover conveys important symbolic 

meanings. 

The photograph, which was taken 

by GAC staff member Elly Lukale, 

is a snap shot of a reflection in a 

waterhole at Karijini National Park. 

Elly: “Reflections are always 

interesting to look at, whether it’s 

reflections on glass, reflections in 

a rain puddle or in this case in a 

water hole. 

“This reflection was captured 

at Kalamina Gorge at Karijini 

National Park. 

“It was a steaming December day 

and being near the water was a 

nice, calm, cool feeling. 

“What drew my attention to this 

reflection were the colours from 

the surrounding landscape; the 

sky, the earth (rock formations) all 

merging and blending into some 

sort of abstract oil painting on 

water. 

32 

“Karijini Reflection” symbolises 

water, earth and sky 

“There was a slight warm breeze 

sending small ripples across the 

surface, gently pushing the blue, 

bronze, red, greens, gold, orange 

and white into each other. 

“In most cultures water, earth and 

sky are very important elements 

and all signify an important part of 

our existence. 

“They all play a different role but 

Elly Lukale holding a copy of the 2012 Annual Report, featuring her front and back cover 

wrap-around image, “Karijini Reflection”. 

when they come together like 

this reflection in the water hole, 

the elements blended into one. 

Gumala means all together.” 

Elly, who worked as part of the 

Member Solutions Team and is 

now working for Gumala Radio, is 

also a talented photographer who 

has contributed many photos for 

Gumala publications. 


Corporation’s 2012 

Annual Report has 

been nominated for the 

prestigious Australasian 

Reporting Awards. 

Electronic copies of our 

current and past Annual 

Reports are available for 

download via our website: 

www.gumala.com.au 

Hard copies are available 

by visiting our Tom Price 

or Perth offices or by 

calling us on: 1800 486 

252. 

Gumala Member’s children’s 

book debuts in theatre 

A talented illustrator, author and 

Gumala Member’s successful 

children’s book has been adapted 

into a play for the first time since it 

was published. 

Bronwyn Houston’s book, Staircase 

to the Moon, was showcased to the 

public at the Broome Multipurpose 

Arts Centre in November. 

The play was a local production 

of the story which was inspired by 

the natural phenomena that occurs 

over Roebuck Bay in Broome each 

year when the moon shines over 

the bay and creates a ladder like 

illusion over the mudflats at low 

tide. 

The main characters, a young girl, 

Rosie, and her grandfather, are 

based upon Bronwyn as a young 

girl and her grandfather. 

The story follows their journey 

together through the landscapes 

of Northern WA including 

mangroves, frangipani and giant 

boab trees to climb the staircase 

to the moon. In fact, Rosie is based 

on Bronwyn as a young girl and 

her grandfather. 

THE PLAY ADAPTATION 

“The play was a really good 

adaptation of the book. I thought it 

was very well done. The kids loved 

it and the adults got a good laugh 

out of it,” said Bronwyn. 

The play adaption of the book 

featured local actors including 

Bronwyn’s aunt and GAC Member, 

Lorrae Coffin who was the Musical 

Director for the play. 

A multi-instrumentalist, Lorrae, 

in her own right, is a renowned 

composer, musician and 

performer in the Indigenous music 

industry. 

Lorrae was one of the first to 

graduate with an Associate 

Diploma in Music Theory and 

Practical from the Aboriginal and 

Torres Strait Islander School of 

Music in 1993. 

She is also the Chairperson of the 

Indigenous Arts Board for The 

Department for Culture & the Arts 

WA, and is one of the co-founders 

of Marrugeku Company. 

It was the first time she has written 

music for a play. 

“It was great. For me as a musician 

and a writer, it was my first time 

writing a musical score on my 

own. It was also great to see and 

hear other people playing it 

especially for theatre so it was a 

new experience for me. 

It was great working with the kids 

and today everyone still comes 

up to me in the shops and tells 

me how great the show was,” said 

Lorrae. 

Lorrae is now thinking about 

releasing a sound track of the 

Staircase to the Moon. 

THE BOOK 

The Staircase to the Moon book 

was released in 2011 and has sold 

over 3,000 copies per year and is 

currently in its second print run. 

While it is Bronwyn’s first book 

that she has written and illustrated 

herself, it is her second book 

that she has published through 

Magabala books. 

Magabala books are a not-forprofit 

Indigenous publishing 

company in Broome which actively 

seeks Indigenous stories to 

publish Australia wide. 

“Magabala books paid for 

everything. I would encourage 

other GAC Members who feel 

they have a story to tell to get it 

published. 

Magabala books were really 

helpful and they work closely with 

illustrators and authors. 

Whether it’s a history story or a 

children’s book, it doesn’t have to 

be perfect, they will help you with 

publishing it.” 

UP AND COMING FULL TIME 

AUTHOR 

Bronwyn holds a certificate in 

art and design from TAFE and a 

graphic design degree and fell 

into writing and illustrating when 

she worked at Magabala books. 

As a full-time Mum of two young 

children, Summer (3 years ) and 

Ben (19 months), Bronwyn has had 

to juggle a full time writing career 

around her children’s schedule. 

“I usually fit my creative time in 

around our busy schedule and 

nap times but on Tuesday’s I get a 

whole day to do the creative stuff 

when the children are with their 

Nana” 

However, she says her inspiration 

and story ideas mainly come from 

her children. 

“My children love reading so I 

notice what books aren’t available 

to read and I write them. I also 

draw inspiration from things they 

do because I think well if they do 

that they can’t be the only kids 

that do that. Then other children 

reading my books will be able to 

identify with the characters in the 

book based on things kids do.” 

UP-COMING BOOK: 2013 

Earlier this year Bronwyn 

illustrated her third book, ‘My 

Home Broome,’ written by Tamzyne 

Richardson. She is now gearing up 

to begin writing a fourth book at 

the end of the year. 

“The book is about counting in the 

garden and it will feature different 

Australian insects and wildlife 

including Galahs and it should be 

released next year!” 

33


A Gumala Elder sat down to share 

his story with Gumala News last 

month. 

Innawonga Elder, Claude Cox, 

is one of many respected Elders 

in the Gumala Membership. A 

charismatic man, Claude is always 

happy to sit and talk with Gumala 

staff and fellow Members. 

However, if you talk to Claude 

long enough one will discover the 

moving and inspirational story he 

has to share. 

Claude was born in Nanutarra 

Station. The third eldest, he was 

one of four children. His mother 

was from Rockley Station and his 

father was a Traditional Owner 

from Jigalong. 

Claude’s connection to Innawonga 

country lies through his 

grandfather, Traditional Owner 

Frank Cox. 

34 

Gumala Elder Claude Cox reveals 

insight into his colourful life 

Gumala Elder Claude Cox 

Growing up, Claude was the eldest 

brother to his sister, Gumala 

Member, Nancy Ashburton. Sadly, 

when he was younger he was 

the only sibling to see his older 

brother, David, who has sadly 

passed away. Gumala Member and 

oldest brother Ken lives in Darwin. 

“I used to be the big brother to 

my younger sister. I used to sing to 

her the song, ‘come on baby, let’s 

go home”, said Claude. 

Like many Aboriginal Elders, 

when he was five or six his mother 

put him in Carnarvon Mission. 

However, unlike other children 

who were taken from their 

homeland and families, Claude’s 

story has a memorable twist. 

He was fortunate enough to be 

able to maintain a close bond 

and connection to his mother as 

she worked in the laundry at the 

mission. 

“I was really close to my mum. I 

didn’t know my Dad in those days 

and she worked in the laundry at 

the mission so I would see her and 

she would sneak me treats.” 

Having his mother at the Mission 

is a special memory imprinted in 

his mind. Although he was at the 

Mission she was able to still teach 

and discipline him. 

“My mother did everything for 

me. She paid for my education. 

She used to tell me off. If I didn’t 

tidy up my things or do the dishes 

or made a mess, she told me off.” 

ONE WAY TICKET BACK TO 

THE HOMELAND 

When Claude was fourteen or 

fifteen he ran away from the 

missionary. 

“They asked where I was going 

and I said I was going for a walk. 

That was it, I was gone. I had a one 

way ticket out of there.” 

His mother at the time was in 

Onslow. Claude followed the river, 

surviving on fish and turtles and 

then followed the Moore River 

Road hitching rides from passing 

cars from Carnarvon to Onslow. 

“I walked in the river and followed 

the flow of the river. I worked out if 

I walked in the water, nobody can 

follow my footprints.” 

Interestingly, Jigalong Traditional 

Owners, Molly, Daisy and Gracie 

from the Rabbit Proof Fence movie 

are Claude’s aunties. 

THE PILBARA IN THE 1960s: 

RECONNECTING TO THE 

HOMELAND 

When Claude returned to his 

homeland in the mid-1960s, the 

Pilbara was a different ‘country’ 

compared to the Pilbara of today. 

There were no mining companies, 

the towns were policed and 

everyone had to work, with many 

people taking up jobs on cattle 

stations. 

“In those days everyone had to 

work. The police would come 

around and ask if you were 

working. If you weren’t working 

they would put you in jail for three 

months for begancy. We used to 

hide from the police when we 

saw them coming. We would duck 

around the corners, in trees, in the 

river and in pools. They didn’t see 

us.” 

With the law stating that all 

Aboriginal people had to work, 

Claude had to learn how to ride a 

horse in order to gain a job on the 

cattle stations. He gained his first 

job at Manutarra Station (his birth 

place), near Onslow where he reunited 

with his mother. 

“She didn’t know I was coming. It 

was a surprise.” 

FINDING HIS PARENTS 

He later got a job at Mount Vernon 

Station where he was taught by a 

saddler how to plat and do leather 

work. He stayed on the station and 

became the head stockman. 

However, someone was still 

missing from his life...his father. In 

the late 1960s when he was about 

17 or 18 years old, he started to 

make inquiries into his father’s 

whereabouts. His inquiries led him 

to Ethel Creek Station where his 

father was working as a stockman. 

“I saw this huge guy walking 

towards me and I thought ‘who is 

this guy?’. He asked me who I was 

looking for and I said my father 

and he said, ‘Come here my son.’ 

He gave me a huge hug. I never 

knew my father until then.” 

Whilst Claude never knew his 

father until he was a late teenager, 

he has been blessed to father his 

own daughter, Gumala Member, 

Claudine Cox. 

Garry Parker joins the 

Gumala team 


Corporation (GAC) Member 

Garry Parker joined GAC 

earlier this year as the new 

Indigenous Liaison Officer. 

He has a solid background in 

cultural knowledge. Originally 

from the Pilbara, Garry is 

a traditional Banyjima man 

who grew up and worked on 

Peedamulla Station. 

Before joining Gumala, Garry 

worked at the Tom Price mine 

for Rio Tinto as an Earth Works 

Operator at the plant. 

As the Indigenous Liaison 

Officer, Garry wants to see 

several positive outcomes for 

the Banyjima, Innawonga and 

Nyiyaparli peoples. 

This includes positive 

outcomes in the communities 

and Lore camps for the benefit 

of the Banyjima, Innawonga 

and Nyiyaparli peoples. He 

also wishes to promote and 

encourage cultural education 

for young members in order 

to maintain and continue the 

traditional culture and heritage. 

“I have one daughter, Claudine. 

She is my special angel,” he said 

with a twinkle in his eye. 

CLAUDE’S ADVICE 

Claude has seen the changes 

occur in the Pilbara over the years. 

Yet, his advice to the younger 

generation is simple: 

“Don’t drink too much. If you don’t 

drink too much it keeps the body 

in good shape. Stay healthy. I walk 

for exercise. Watch your diet, don’t 

eat too much sugar, take-away 

food and don’t drink too much 

GAC’s Indigenous Liaison Officer, 

Garry Parker 

Garry also wants to educate 

the wider community about 

Aboriginal culture and 

heritage in order to create a 

greater understanding of the 

history, people, culture and 

heritage in order to close 

the gap between Indigenous 

Australians and non- 

Indigenous Australians. 

alcohol. It increases your risk of 

diabetes. Eat lots of vegetables 

and good meat and it will 

decrease your risk of diabetes.” 

ADVICE FOR THOSE GOING 

THROUGH LORE IN 2012 

With Lore starting for the summer, 

Claude’s advice for the young 

Members going through Lore is: 

“Keep strong. Once you have 

finished Lore, stay strong and 

keep your head high. Do as the 

Elders tell you to do and there will 

be no problems.” 

35


Gumala reaches out with 

Ear Health Radio Campaign 


has been a part of the National 

Indigenous Ear Health Campaign 

funded by the Department of 

Health and Ageing called “Care 

for Kids’ which aims to increase 

the awareness of Otitis Media 

(OM) and loss of hearing in 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander communities. 

Otitis Media is a significant 

problem in Australia, especially 

with Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander children. Some studies 

suggest that up to 91per cent 

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander children in remote 

communities present with Otitis 

Media (more often called ‘ear 

infections’). 

Left untreated, ear infections 

can lead to hearing loss which 

may limit a child’s capacity to 

develop socially and emotionally. 

Ear infections can also adversely 

affect educational outcomes. 

As a part of the campaign Gumala 

Radio was involved by visiting 

our Aboriginal communities of 

Wakuthuni, Youngaleena and 

Bellary Springs where ear health 

sessions were conducted by 

Health Professional (Community 

Nurses). During these sessions 

information was provided to 

parents and carers as well as 

children in these local remote 

communities. 

Our local Community Nurses in 

Tom Price also ensured that the 

right and appropriate messages 

were being communicated to our 

communities and have been a 

great support to the campaign. 

The Gumala Ear Health Campaign 

team also visited schools within 

the Shire of Ashburton. The 

schools that were involved are as 

follows: Onslow Primary School, 

Paraburdoo Primary School and 

Tom Price Primary School. The 

campaign also involved one of our 

local senior high schools. 

The ear bus, which conducts 

ear screenings, was also visiting 

schools during the campaign and 

Gumala Radio also promoted 

the great service that the ear 

bus provides to our Aboriginal 

children in schools. 

Tom Price Senior High School 

students attending the Tom Price 

Enrichment Centre provided key 

health message of awareness to 

the younger generations in the 

Primary years to take care of their 

ears at an early age and to be 

positive role models within our 

local community. 

The campaign’s main focus was 

to provide awareness of ear 

health and to endorse the main 

symptoms and preventions. 

Gumala Radio’s objective was 

to conduct pre-recordings of 

by GAC’s Indigenous Coordinator Mentor - 

Pilbara, Ronnelle Hicks 

key ear health messages to 

inform Gumala members and 

the wider community people. 

By broadcasting over Gumala 

Radio we can reach out to all 

Gumala listeners within the 

local community and wider 

surrounding communities 

throughout the Pilbara. 


provided a BBQ lunch and 

distributed ear health information 

and ear care bags to the schools 

and acknowledged the support of 

the students who conducted a prerecording 

ear health messages for 

the campaign. 

A big thank you to all the children 

and community people who were 

involved in the Gumala Ear Health 

Campaign. 

Gumala children photographed during 

encourage community participation. 

Radio can be used as a powerful tool for communication into the Gumala and the wider 

community to explore and speak about issues and current events that are relevant to its listeners 

and bring communities together. 

Gumala Radio wants your voice 

Gumala Radio is looking at expanding its programming in 2013 and providing fresh new content. 

Gumala Radio is a beacon for to explore and speak about 

If you would like to get involved 

For this to be successful Gumala Radio would like to extend an invitation to any Gumala member 

promoting Indigenous news, issues and current events that are in any way, whether it is through 

culture, stories community and local member music that has relevant any story to its ideas listeners or topics and bring that they would like to hear on the 

participating in a program, being 

to the communities radio. of Tom Price, communities together. 

interviewed or providing ideas 

Paraburdoo, Bellary Springs, 

Wakuthuni, If you Youngaleena, would like Onslow to get involved 

Gumala 

in any 

Radio 

way, 

is 

whether 

looking 

through 

at 

about stories and programming 

participating in a program, being 

and Roebourne. 

expanding its programming in please feel free to send your 

interviewed or providing ideas about stories and programming please feel free to send your 

2013 and providing fresh new requests through to radio@ 

The aim of requests a community through radio to radio@gumala.com.au content. for consideration or if you gumala.com.au have any feedback for consideration about 

station is not only to provide 

our programming. 

or if you have any feedback about 

local content for its listeners For this to be successful Gumala 

our programming. 

but also encourage community 

Gumala Radio will be closing midday, 

Radio would 

24 th December 

like to extend 

2012 

an 

and re-opening Monday 7 th January 

participation. 

invitation to any Gumala Members We would like to wish you all a 

2013. We would like to wish you all a very safe and Merry Christmas and stay tuned to Gumala 

Radio can be used as a powerful or community members that have very safe and Merry Christmas 

Radio in 2013. 

tool for communication into the any story ideas or topics that they and stay tuned to Gumala Radio in 

Gumala and wider community would like to hear on the radio. 2013. 

Gumala Broadcaster John "Tadam" Lockyer 

the Ear Health Campaign: (L-R) – Keelan Hayden, Johnell Jones and Jada Whalebone 

Listen to Gumala Radio Live at 

www.gumala.com.au 

36 

37


Gumala Member’s consultancy 

firm secures contract with a Pilbara 

Registered Training Organisation 

A GAC Member’s HR consultancy 

enterprise has gone from strength 

to strength this year, having 

successfully secured an auspicing 

arrangement with a Pilbara based 

Registered Training Organisation. 

Nyiyaparli Traditional Owner, 

Jahna Cedar’s business, Cedar 

Consultancy Enterprises, secured 

a contract with a Registered 

Training Organisation in Port 

Hedland earlier this year to 

deliver accredited training 

through the organisation’s scope. 

PROVIDING INDIGENOUS 

PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO 

TRAINING 

As the Principal Consultant for 

Cedar Consultancy Enterprises, 

Jahna intends to enable 

Indigenous people in the Pilbara 

to access accredited training 

in Diploma Management, Cert 

IV Front Line Management and 

Diploma of OHS, Rail Infrastructure 

training as well as plant and 

machinery operation. 

Two years ago Jahna and her 

husband Richard, started up their 

Indigenous owned and operated 

HR Enterprise, which specialises 

in the creation and delivery of 

non-accredited and accredited 

training. 

“The business started because 

I could see a gap in the market 

at a time when there was a lot of 

projects happening in the Pilbara. 

There were limited resources on 

who could advise at the grassroots 

level about the community. 

They were out-sourcing people 

from Perth to come in and tell our 

communities what we already 

knew. 

“It was also at a time in my life 

where starting my own business 

Talented and driven Gumala Member 

Jahna Cedar 

would tackle the flexibility of 

being a Mum and working,” said 

Jahna. 

This year Jahna has celebrated 

several successes including the 

introduction of a Pilbara specific 

cultural diversity training package 

including Torres Strait and 

Aboriginal culture for people in 

the workforce. 

COMMUNITY LEADER 

Jahna is a strong Indigenous 

community leader who has 

devoted herself to promoting 

equal employment opportunities 

for Indigenous peoples through 

her company. 

Since she started her own 

business, the mother of two has 

become the face for inspiring 

jobseekers in the Pilbara. 

“Since the company started, it has 

moved from HR and consultancy 

to more accredited training 

which is where my passion 

lies. I love being able to show 

people what skills they have. I 

love seeing people excel and 

build self-confidence and gain 

qualifications.” 

MULTI-AWARD WINNER 

In March this year, Jahna was 

inducted into the International 

Women’s Day WA Women’s Hall of 

Fame 2012. 

The induction was recognition 

that Jahna has been a stand-out 

supporter for her community, 

having sat on boards and 

committees. 

Last year Jahna was named 

NAIDOC person of the year – Port 

Hedland, and was nominated for 

2012 Australian of the Year. 

In 2011, she represented Australia 

at the United Nations in New York 

for the Commission on the Status 

of Women. 

In August, Jahna presented a 

speech outlining the importance 

of cultural diversity and 

appreciation within the workplace 

at the Indigenous Employment 

and Economic Development 

forum in Hedland. 

Alongside developing her 

business, Jahna has been working 

part-time as a Project Manager at 

the Centre for Excellence in Rail 

Training in Perth. 

For now, she says the next step 

in the new year is to develop her 

business, increase her marketing, 

secure-long term contracts and 

go-full time in her own office 

space. 

Desert Feet rocks Youngaleena 

and Wakuthuni 

Touring educational children’s 

band, Desert Feet, made a star 

appearance in two Pilbara 

communities earlier this year. 

Youngaleena and Wakuthuni 

children were serenaded by the 

band in a special educational 

concert about diabetes at the end 

of Desert Feet’s mid-year tour. 

A concert with children in 

Youngaleena was held on 24 July, 

2012 and with the children at 

Gumala’s Early Childhood Centre 

at Wakuthuni on 27 and 28 July, 

2012. 

Gumala Members, Jacintha 

Stevens, Alicia Stevens, Zyndel 

Parker, Colden Smith, Janett 

Parker and Trea Parker performed 

in the concert in Youngaleena. 

The concert was a joint venture 

between Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation, the WA Education 

Department, BHP Billiton and 

Diabetes Australia and gave the 

children an opportunity to learn 

how to play instruments and learn 

about topics such as diabetes 

prevention and healthy eating 

through the songs. 

Desert Feet is an educational 

program which brings music 

concerts and workshops on 

healthy eating and diabetes into 

remote Indigenous communities. 

Thank you to Cultural 

Awareness Trainers 

HEALTHY EATING MESSAGES 

AND WORKSHOPS 

Alongside the healthy eating 

messages and workshops, a BBQ 

was put on for the communities 

with healthy food such as meat, 

vegetable skewers and fruit at the 

concert. 

Gumala Members, Shirley Tittums, 

Rex and Loraine Parker, Laurissa 

Bobby, Joshua Pat, Samal Bobby, 

Wesley Munda, Thelma Parker, 

Nuola Parker and Rachael Parker 

also attended the concert in 

Youngaleena. 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation wishes to thank Gumala Members Stuart 

Ingie Snr, Darren Injie and Ronwyn James, who provided Cultural Awareness 

training sessions to Gumala staff during the year. These sessions represented 

highly valuable learning experiences for all Gumala staff. 

Wishing you a joyous 

festive season! 

The Management and Staff of Gumala Aboriginal 

Coporation would like to wish all our Members and 

their families a happy and healthy and safe festive 

season. If you are travelling, please stay safe on the 

roads. Happy New Year and we will see you in 2013! 

38 

39

GUMALA NEWS 

CHRISTMAS 2012 EDITION 

The Green Machine pays 

Gumala Radio a visit 

Gumala Radio broadcaster 

John ‘Tadam’ Lockyer got the 

opportunity to interview world 

champion boxer Danny Green 

while he was having breakfast 

at the Tom Price Bistro on Friday 

December 7, 2012. 

“The Green Machine” toured 

several Pilbara towns in early 

December to do some fundraising 

for community groups in each 

town. 

Tom Price (Head Office): 

1 Stadium Road 

Tom Price, Western Australia 

Perth (Administration Office): 

Level 1, 165 Adelaide Terrace 

East Perth, Western Australia 

GUMALA 

Aboriginal 

Corporation 

40 

ICN 2744 

Phone: 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA) 

Fax: (08) 9219 4555 

Postal Address: PO Box 3167, East Perth WA 6892 

Email: gac@gumala.com.au Web: www.gumala.com.au

Gumala News - Christmas Edition 2012

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