Gumala News - April 2012 - Community Edition

GUMALA NEWS 

COMMUNITY EDITION, APRIL 2012 

GUMALA 

AAboriginal 

Corporation 

ICN 2744 

AGM success in 

a truly unique 

location – the red 

heart of Karijini 

Disclaimer: 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 COMMUNITY EDITION, APRIL 2012 


Gumala holds successful AGM in 

truly unique setting: ‘on country’ 

Karijini 

National 

Park 

GAC Chairman Keith Hall pictured 

at the AGM beside fellow Gumala 

Member Linda Parker 

Newly elected Director Nicholas Cook 

Gumala Elders (left to right) Margaret Parker (Banyjima), Ken 

Ingie Senior (Innawonga), Brian Tucker (Nyiyaparli) & Elizabeth 

Dowton (Banyjima) 

Gumala Elder Slim Parker, 

who Chaired the AGM, 

was also elected onto the 

Board of Directors during 

the AGM 

Approximately 150 Gumala Members (Traditional 

Owners) plus their families attended the event 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation 

(GAC) has held a highly successful 

Annual General Meeting (AGM), 

Special General Meeting (SGM) 

and Elders Meeting at a truly unique 

venue. The official meetings took 

place in late March (March 30 & 

31) ‘on country’ at the majestic 

and iconic Karijini National Park in 

the iron-ore rich Pilbara region of 

Western Australia. 

Approximately 150 GAC Members 

(Traditional Owners) and their 

families travelled hundreds of 

kilometres - and in some cases, over 

a thousand kilometres - from all over 

the Pilbara, other parts of Western 

Australia and Australia to attend the 

event on their traditional land. 

The organisational aspects and 

logistics of holding such an major 

event in a remote location were 

enormously challenging, including 

transportation of supplies (including 

food and water), facilities and other 

essential items to the event to cater 

for approximately 300 people. 

One of the highlights of the 

meetings was the appointment of 

a new Board of Directors, who 

were voted in by the Members. 

The new Board of 12, consisting 

of 4 Directors from each of the 3 

language groups are as follows: 

Nyiyaparli Directors: 

Keith Hall, Stephen Peterson & 

Natalie Parker 

Banyjima Directors: 

Slim Parker, David MacLean, Shane 

Derschow 

Innawonga Directors: 

Stuart Ingie Snr, Nicholas Cook & 

Cecil Parker 

Chairman, Deputy Chairman, 

Secretary: 

The Chairman remains Keith Hall; 

The Deputy remains Stuart Ingie 

Snr; The Secretary remains Stephen 

Peterson 

The Elders were not standing for reelection, 

and therefore remain: 

David Stock (Nyiyaparli); Doreen 

James (Innawonga); Archie Tucker 

(Banyjima) 

GAC Chairman Keith Hall said 

the fact that GAC was able to 

successfully stage an Elders Meeting, 

SGM and AGM at Karijini National 

Park, with no existing infrastructure, 

represented a major triumph. 

“It was very important for our 

Elders that these meetings be 

held ‘on country’. Our spiritual 

beliefs, traditions and culture are 

closely related to the land and 

sky. Karijini National Park is part 

of our traditional lands, so holding 

these meetings ‘on country’, and 

respecting our cultural obligations 

as Traditional Owners, is very 

important to us.” 

The Chairman added that GAC’s 

Members should be applauded for 

their participation and for the robust 

debate that took place during the 

event. 

Additional highlights of the AGM: 

• Recognition of GAC’s financial 

management performance. GAC 

received an unqualified audit report 

(from an independent audit firm) in 

all respects of its financial operations 

for the 2011 financial year. 

• Significant year-on-year funding 

boosts (via Member programs) as 

detailed in GAC’s latest Annual 

Report: 

- GAC distributed over $1.5 million 

in direct funding on its Members 

and their children on Development 

Programs during the 2011 financial 

year. This figure was more than 

double the previous financial year, 

and is expected to at least double 

again during the current financial 

year. 

- GAC’s distribution of funds to 

Members on Health Programs during 

the 2011 financial year was $5.6 

million (compared to $2.6 million 

for the prior financial year). 

- Direct funding to GAC Members 

on Lore & Culture Programs totalled 

just over $1 million during the 

2011 financial year, compared to 

about $577,000 during the 2010 

financial year. 

- Total spending by GAC on 

Projects (Community Development, 

Education and Lore & Culture) 

reached $2.5 million in the 2011 

Financial Year, compared to 

$952,000 the previous financial 

year. This will increase substantially 

in the 2012 financial year as Gumala 

progresses its housing project, elderly 

complex project, early childhood 

Karijini National Park is located just 

north of the Tropic of Capricorn, 

approximately 1400 km north 

of Perth and approximately 80 

km from Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation’s head office in Tom 

Price. 

centre project, health needs & 

analysis project, and community 

upgrades projects. 

- Overall, GAC is expected to 

distribute just under $20 million in 

grants to members in the current 

(2012) financial year. That 

compares to about $1 million just 

four years ago. This is a remarkable 

achievement. 

GAC Chairman Keith Hall: 

“Moving into 2012 and beyond, 

GAC will keep its eye firmly 

on the ball. Our key objectives 

Karijini National Park is located 

within the traditional heartland of 

Banyjima country (Banyjima is one 

of the three language groups that 

GAC represents). The national 

park is ranked in the top five visitor 

experiences for the State. The 

Gumala Group owns the multi-award 

include: continuing to strengthen 

our already strong levels of Best 

Practice and Corporate Governance; 

continuing to support our Members/ 

Beneficiaries through the various 

programs and projects we fund 

(including the core areas of 

education, health & well-being 

and lore & culture); training and 

employment initiatives; economic, 

community and social development; 

and the preservation and protection 

of our heritage, culture and 

languages.” 

winning tourism asset Karijini Eco 

Retreat, which is located within 

Karijini National Park. Since its 

grand opening in 2007, Karijini 

Eco Retreat has grown in sales and 

prominence to become one of the 

most outstanding tourism brands in 

WA. 

Page 2 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 3


Gumala’s Perth office relocates to 

prestigious CBD address on the back 

of Senior Executive appointments 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) is scheduled to 

complete its Perth office relocation from Victoria Park to 

the Perth CBD in May 2012. 

The relocation of the Perth office has occurred following 

the purchase of three levels of a blue chip commercial 

property by the Trustee of the General Gumala 

Foundation, Gumala Investments Pty Ltd (GIPL). GAC 

and GIPL will both occupy space in the property, located 

at 165 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth (the corner of 

Adelaide Terrace and Bennett Street). 

GAC’s CEO Steve Mav: “Notwithstanding the 

investment in Perth, 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 roots are. GAC is hopeful 

that with the ongoing development of the Tom Price 

town centre, that one day in the not-so-distant future, 

Emma Kerslake and Stephen Scarrott pictured out the front 

of GAC’s Perth CBD office at 165 Adelaide Terrace 

the Tom Price office will also be able to move into a 

beautiful new building, much more suitable for one of 

the largest Aboriginal Corporations in Australia. The 

relocation of the Perth office was required due to the 

major expansion of the organisation that has taken place 

over the last three years, as well as the capacity-building 

constraints of both the Victoria Park and Tom Price 

offices (limited floor space).” 

MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS 

The office relocation coincides with several recent 

management appointments at GAC. The organisation’s 

specialised recruitment drive was required in order to 

allow GAC to have the capabilities of fully responding to 

the needs of our Members, the Traditional Owners. 

The two most senior executive appointments are that 

of Stephen Scarrott (Chief Financial Officer) and Emma 

Kerslake (General Manager Governance). Stephen and 

Emma bring a wealth of experience to GAC. 

Stephen is a Chartered Accountant, Fellow of Leadership 

WA and member of the Australian Institute of Company 

Directors with a vast national and international 

employment background, including the National 

Director of Finance at St John of God Pathology; and 

Cost management and Financial Accounting roles 

with National Power and Glaxo Pharmaceuticals (now 

GlaxoSmithKline) in the UK. 

Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts 

degree from the University of Queensland, as well as 

substantial Management experience including over a 

decade at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 

(DFAT). Emma’s role immediately prior to joining 

Gumala was Acting Director of DFAT’s WA State Office. 

She has also held other high level Executive positions in 

DFAT Canberra and at the Australian High Commission 

in Wellington and spent several years as an international 

legal officer for DFAT. Emma is an Indigenous Australian 

(Palawa heritage). 

GAC RAMPS UP ITS MANAGEMENT TEAM 

In recent months GAC has also appointed several highly 

specialised professionals covering specific areas of need, 

including Member Services, Housing and Community 

Projects, Education, Governance and Business 

Development. 

The Perth CBD property 

investment on Adelaide 

Terrace represents a significant 

commercial investment 

CEO Comment 


(GAC) has just celebrated the 15 

year anniversary of the signing of 

the ground-breaking Yandi Land Use 

Agreement (YLUA), which was the 

first major land use agreement signed 

in Australia. 

Signed in March 1997, the YLUA 

represented a pivotal turning 

point in the history between 

resource companies and Indigenous 

Australians – a mining company 

reaching agreement with the 

Traditional Owners which would 

enable that company to develop 

a major mine on the Traditional 

Owners’ land. That mine, Rio 

Tinto’s Yandicoogina (Yandi) iron 

ore development (located about 120 

km from Tom Price), has become 

Australia’s biggest iron ore mine. 

The YLUA paved the way for a 

string of other land use agreements 

in the Pilbara and around Australia, 

which in turn have resulted in major 

mine developments and an industry 

that is both the envy of the world 

Key agreements secured with Foundation 

Housing & Melbourne University 


has taken significant steps to deliver 

upon its housing strategy with 

the signing of a Memorandum 

of Understanding (MOU) with 

Foundation Housing. 

FOUNDATION HOUSING 

AGREEMENT 

The agreement outlines the future 

role of Foundation Housing in 

managing GAC houses once they 

are built. Foundation Housing will 

also play a key role in assisting GAC 

in developing important policies 

and procedures with regards to 

the maintenance of the houses and 

tenancy management. 

GAC’s Housing Strategy is 

progressing well. With regards 

Steve Mav 

and is also our nation’s economic 

engine room. The original Signatories 

(the Founding Gumala Members) 

to the YLUA were able to negotiate 

and secure the agreement thanks to 

their steadfast determination. Sadly, 

some of these Founding Members a 

have since passed away. Needless to 

say, the legacy of all of the original 

Signatories remain close to our 

hearts forever. 

As a result of the YLUA, the 

benefits to the Traditional Owners 

have been significant. Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation has 

strategically developed a suite 

of programs including Health, 

Education and Lore & Culture 

programs. We also have a range 

of multi-million dollar projects, 

covering Community Development, 

Housing, Capital Works, Health 

and Education. We are maintaining 

a “reform-driven” focus to enable 

economic, social and community 

developmental solutions for the 

Traditional Owners. 

to the 10 lots of land in South 

Hedland, GAC is expected to award 

the contract for the design and 

construction of the houses in the 

next couple of months. 

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY 

PARTNERSHIP 

GAC has joined with Melbourne 

University for the delivery of the 

7 houses in Tom Price. Melbourne 

University are focussed on building 

‘homes’, not just houses, by 

engaging with members to better 

understand social and economic 

considerations as they relate to 

housing. 

It is hoped that together with 

Melbourne University, GAC will be 

able to create a model of housing 

There are now over 500 registered 

Indigenous Land Use Agreements 

in Australia (agreements between 

Aboriginal corporations and 

governments or other parties). I 

would argue that although each 

and every one of these agreements 

is important, none of them are as 

significant as the Yandi agreement. 

As the proud CEO of GAC, I 

invite communities right across 

the Pilbara, as well as Gumala’s 

many Stakeholders, to join us 

in remembering the 15 year 

anniversary of a simple signing 

ceremony that would end up 

representing a turning point in our 

nation’s modern history. 

delivery that can be considered ‘best 

practice’ in the field of Indigenous 

social housing. 

TOM PRICE ELDERLY 

COMPLEX ON TRACK 

Meanwhile, the Tom Price Elderly 

Complex project is also on track. 

Gumala is about to begin the 

procurement process to find a 

builder to construct the complex. 

The project will deliver 1 and 2 

bedroom cottages for up to 14 

Gumala Elders as well as a day 

centre and accommodation for a 

resident caretaker. The complex will 

be constructed on vacant land on 

the corner of Mine Rd and Hospital 

Drive. The land is to be gifted to 

Gumala by Rio Tinto. 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 5



Gumala – Investing in our 

future through Education 

Gumala’s focus on education as an 

integral developmental platform for 

its Members is showcased through 

the newly implemented “3A 

project” at the Gumala 0-5 Studio 

(Early Childhood Centre), located 

at Wakuthuni Community near Tom 

Price. 

Gumala CEO Steve Mav: “The focus 

on education is vitally important, 

especially in the early childhood 

stages. My view is that investing 

in education is investing in GAC’s 

future. 

“Education is an exceptionally 

important issue for me because our 

Members, the Traditional Owners, 

constantly remind me that the future 

of the Banyjima, Innawonga and 

Nyiyaparli peoples lies in the future 

of their children, their children’s 

children, and future generations.” 

Initial planning and consultation 

with The University of Melbourne 

and the residents of Wakuthuni 

community gave insight into the 

specific needs that the centre 

could address before the centre 

was constructed. Opening in late 

February, the program is still in its 

teething stages with several children 

and parents attending on a regular 

basis... but it is starting to deliver the 

anticipated outcomes. 

Working in partnership with Tom 

Price Primary School and the 

University of Melbourne, the 3A 

Project creates a quality learning 

environment for children and their 

families. The program is based on 

the Abecedarian Approach, an 

exciting learning concept that is 

based on over 30 years of research, 

highlighting the importance of the 

first five years of a child’s life. 

The program uses interactive 

learning methods with conversational 

reading at the forefront, emphasis on 

learning games and a focus on the 

child’s interaction with their parents 

and caregivers who initiate these 

games. Games could be as simple as 

singing rhymes, allowing the children 

to investigate story books, playing 

with toys and using simple items that 

are found around them. 

Despite its simplistic approach, 

effective learning activities will teach 

the children fun and easy ways to 

develop the basic skills they need to 

Baby Alissa Rae Jones, pictured with her mother, Loretta Donalson at the Wakuthuni 

Early Childhood Centre 

prepare them for school. Intrigue 

and eagerness was demonstrated 

recently at the centre’s opening 

morning tea with teachers, parents 

and children, who were instantly 

attracted to the fun and colourful 

resources around them. 

Research shows that the Abecedarian 

Approach has helped children 

become more confident when they 

enter the school system. It also 

increases their chances of staying at 

school for longer and going on to 

higher education. 

Further studies by Child 

Development and Paediatric 

researchers have found that the long 

term health benefits for children 

engaged in this program are very 

beneficial. Abecedarian children 

(by the age of 18) demonstrate 

less risky behaviour; they also show 

fewer signs of depression by age 21 

and are more engaged in healthier 

life styles compared with children 

who enter the school system without 

prior educational inductions such as 

the Abecedarian Approach. 

Rochelle Hooper and Mary Rice, 

teachers from the Tom Price Primary 

School and newly appointed early 

childhood teachers at the centre, 

have already witnessed an interest 

and an enthusiasm in the kids that 

attend. 

Rochelle Hooper: “There is a real 

love of the story books. They like to 

sit in the corner and read.” 

She also tells of a little boy who tells 

them he wants to come to school 

every day with “Mrs Dooper” and 

who also loves looking at the books. 

Rochelle is passionate about the 

project and sees it as an opportunity 

for parents to make a profound 

contribution to their child’s learning 

and future: “I hope to be able to 

empower the parents and children 

to be life-long learners. I know this 

approach will really impact the 

children of Wakuthuni. This will 

also make the transition to primary 

school smoother for Kindgarten 

onwards…The success of this project 

will impact their lives forever. We 

would love to see more kids attend 

with their parents.” 

The centre opens each weekday 

from 9am to midday and 

parents from the community and 

surrounding areas are encouraged 

to come and participate with games 

and activities, followed by a healthy 

morning tea. 

EDUCATION FUNDING 

Over the last few years Gumala’s 

increased spending and focus on 

education is providing Gumala 

Members and their children with 

more opportunities to gain skills and 

knowledge needed for the future 

career pathways. 

Assistance and funding is distributed 

through carefully structured 

education programs, including Early 

Childhood, Primary, Secondary, 

Tertiary, Scholarship and Computer 

Program. Financial assistance is also 

provided with school fees, books, 

stationery, school lunches, excursions 

and uniforms. 

Steve Mav: “GAC is pouring money 

into education spending. We are 

paying for school and university fees 

for the Members and their children. 

We are also paying for other 

education expenses in the form of 

rent assistance for students, tuition 

fees and much more.” 

GAC has increased its education 

funding three fold, with around 

$690,000 to $1.5 million during 

the 2010/11 financial year. 

Developing projects and partnerships 

with other education providers such 

as Tom Price Primary School, The 

University of Melbourne and schools 

around the Pilbara will ultimately help 

Members and the generations that 

follow in obtaining the key to a better 

future. 

Mr Mav: “The rewards will come 

when the current young generation, 

the youngsters that we are assisting to 

get a good education, reap the rewards 

that we hope that their educations will 

bring (the key one being, of course, 

employment opportunities). 

“At Gumala, we look forward to 

continuing to support and grow 

our capacity to deliver excellent 

education outcomes. After all, 

the education of our people – the 

Traditional Owners in the Pilbara – 

represents a very wise investment.” 

Jaidah & Benjamin Limerick photographed during the opening day of the 

“3A Project” at Wakuthuni Early Childhood Centre 



The story of the Yandi Land Use Agreement 


March 1, 2012 marks the 15 year anniversary of the signing of the ground-breaking Yandi Land 

Use Agreement (YLUA), which was the first major land use agreement signed in Australia. The 

original signatories (the Founding Members of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation) to the YLUA were 

able to negotiate and secure the agreement thanks to their steadfast determination. Hamersley 

Iron (a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto) negotiated in good faith, gaining the trust and 

goodwill of the Traditional Owners. The rest, as they say, is history. 

March 1996 

Community 

bush 

meetings and 

negotiations 

April 1996 April 1996 

July 22, 1996 

Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation is 

incorporated. 

August 1996 

The first community meeting in 

Youngaleena. 

One of many bush meetings. The earliest 

(pictured here) took place at Marillana Creek. 

The significant consultations, including 

this viewing of the prospect during a 

visit to the lookout at Yandi. 

The presentation of a framed photograph 

of the Yandicoogina (Yandi) mine site to 

commemorate the incorporation of Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation (GAC). To this day, 

that framed photograph remains on display 

in the GAC board room in Tom Price. 

The signing of 

the MOU and 

YLUA 

15 years 

down the 

track 

November 20, 1996 

Following a break-down in negotiations, a compromise was thrashed out 

which resulted in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

on November 20, 1996. The MOU essentially formed a “heads of agreement” 

for the Yandi Land Use Agreement. 

2012 

February 26, 1997 

Gumala Investments 

Pty Ltd (the Trustee 

of the General 

Gumala Foundation) 

is incorporated. 

After many months of tough negotiating, and after 

numerous meetings, the Yandi Land Use Agreement 

was finally ratified by a community meeting and signed 

in Tom Price on March 1, 1997. The first regional land 

use agreement for a major resource project, it provided 

a comprehensive framework for protecting Aboriginal 

culture and promoting economic development. It was 

a testament to the willingness of the parties to work 

together in “sharing country”. 

1997 

Gumala Enterprises 

Pty Ltd (GEPL) is 

incorporated. GEPL 

is the business arm 

of Gumala Aboriginal 

Corporation. GEPL’s 

key division is 

Gumala Contracting. 

Most recent contracts 

awarded to GEPL by 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore: 

Yandi Sustaining 

Project – Early 

Implementation 

Works 

Awarded January 2012 

West Angeles 

Camp Expansion - 

Earthworks 

Awarded October 2011 

Brockman 4 Low 

Grade Ore Pilot Plant 

1998 

ESS Gumala is 

launched. ESS 

Gumala is a 

joint venture 

between 

Gumala 

Aboriginal 

Corporaton 

and Compass 

Group, which 

is a leading 

provider of 

hospitality 

and support 

services. 

Current active 

contracts that 

ESS Gumala has 

in place for Rio 

Tinto: 

Rocklea Palms 

Kurra Kulli 

Paraburdoo G&C 

1998 

Iron ore 

operations 

commence 

at the 

Yandicoogina 

(Yandi) mine. 

Awarded July 2011 

Titree 

Paraburdoo 

Explosives Compound 

Security Upgrade 

Project 

Awarded October 2010 

The Rio Tinto Iron Ore 

operated Yandicoogina 

(Yandi) Mine has become 

Australia’s biggest producing 

iron ore mine, with a current 

output of 53 million tonnes 

of iron ore per annum. 

A recent image of three of the original 

signatories and registered native title 

claimants, Gumala Elders (l-r) Gordon 

Yuline, Brian Tucker and David Stock. 

The YLUA has 

economic, social & 

developmental 

many generations 

Owners 

resulted in 

community 

solutions for 

of Traditional 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore regularly host Gumala 

Aboriginal Corporation during Annual Yandi 

mine visits and quarterly monitoring and 

liaison meetings 




Rio Tinto awards 

Yandi contract to 

Gumala Contracting 

Following on from a highly successful 

2011 Financial Year, which included 

the awarding of a number of multimillion 

dollar contracts, Gumala 

Contracting has been awarded a 

Yandi contract by Rio Tinto Iron 

Ore. 

A successful division of Gumala 

Enterprises Pty Ltd (the business arm 

of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation), 

Gumala Contracting was awarded 

the Yandi Sustaining Project – Early 

Implementation Works – in January 

2012. 

The scope of works consists of 

miscellaneous earthworks and 

services. 

Other recent contracts awarded 

by Rio Tinto Iron Ore to Gumala 

Contracting include the West 

Angeles Camp Expansion contract 

for Earthworks (construction of earth 

pads, access roads and associated 

drainage works) and the Brockman 4 

Low Grade Ore Pilot Plant contract 

(construction of pad for the low 

grade ore pilot plant). 

Prior to that, Gumala Contracting 

carried out the Paraburdoo 

Explosives Compound Security 

Upgrade Project for Rio Tinto Iron 

Ore, consisting of earthworks, 

drainage, fencing, security system 

supply and installation and associated 

electrical works. 

Gumala Member and Gumala Contracting employee Ken Ingie Jr 

Your community radio station. Tune in now! 

Bellary 101.7 FM 

Roebourne 102.9 FM 

Onslow 102.7 FM 

Wakuthuni 104.9 FM 

Youngaleena 102.1 FM 

Tom Price 106.5 FM 

Paraburdoo 102.9 FM 

Successful 

audition 

for talented 

Gumala 

musician 


would like to congratulate David 

Ward who has been accepted into 

The Centre for Aboriginal Studies 

in Music (CASM) at the University 

of Adelaide to pursue his passion in 

music as a guitarist. The nineteen 

year old taught himself to play the 

guitar from an early age and says it is 

his dream to become a musician. 

“Music has been around me for 

a long time and I’ve always been 

playing the guitar.’’ 

After successfully completing two 

rounds of auditions in Adelaide, 

David was accepted into the CASM 

Foundation Year Program for 2012, 

which is a stepping stone into the 

Diploma in Aboriginal Studies in 

Music Program and Advanced 

Diploma in Music. 

“I wanna become a performing artist 

and perform around Australia,” 

David said. 

The course aims to help prepare 

Indigenous musicians for a 

professional career in the music 

industry. Students also acquire 

educational and cultural knowledge 

and skills that they can bring back 

to their communities. A showcase 

CD is released by CASM each year, 

displaying some of the musical 

talents of the students. 

David: “If you wanna follow your 

dreams, follow it, nothing to be 

ashamed about.” 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation assists 

many Members and their children in 

their pursuit of a career in music or 

other arts through GAC’s Education 

programs. 

Government funding injection 

for Wakuthuni health clinic 

Wakuthuni’s health clinic is set to 

be upgraded, following the State 

Government’s announcement of a 

funding injection under the Royalties 

for Regions program. 

Health Minister Kim Hames said 

the Remote Indigenous Health 

Clinics initiative would result in 

improvements to the delivery 

of health services at Wakuthuni, 

which is one of Gumala’s local 

communities. 

Other Aboriginal communities 

in WA have also received the 

funding, including Bayulu, Mulan, 

Mindibungu (Billiluna) and 

Noonkanbah (Yungngora). In total, 

$22.2 million will be spent to 

redevelop all of these communities’ 

Gumala kick-starts new initiative 

to assist Members in starting up or 

purchasing their own businesses 

Good news for Gumala Members 

interested in establishing their own 

businesses. 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has 

appointed a Business Development 

Manager, who will be responsible for 

assisting members with developing 

their business ideas, producing 

comprehensive business plans, 

seeking external funding where 

applicable and offering long term 

support for these businesses once 

started. 

Newly appointed Business 

Development Manager, Paul Avery, 

health clinics (including Wakuthuni). 

The project will be managed by 

the WA Country Health Service 

with works kicking off immediately 

and continuing through 2012 and 

2013. 

Dr Hames said the project would 

improve health outcomes and 

address health inequities in remote 

Aboriginal communities. 

“This initiative will see the 

replacement of sub-standard clinic 

infrastructure and eliminate the 

forced closure of clinics due to 

health and safety concerns. 

“Access to quality primary 

health care services is crucial to 

the improvement of Indigenous 

Business Development Manager Paul Avery 

health and is essential in order to 

successfully and sustainably close the 

gap in life expectancy,” he said. 

Regional Development Minister 

Brendon Grylls said the project 

would adopt culturally appropriate 

clinic designs to encourage 

community members to utilise the 

upgraded facilities. 

“A major consideration for 

Royalties for Regions is providing 

supplementary investment to 

Government agencies to improve 

service delivery to communities,” Mr 

Grylls said. 

“The agencies involved are working 

with the communities to ensure 

each clinic best addresses each 

community’s health priorities.” 

has a significant business and 

commercial background. Before 

joining Gumala in early 2012, Paul 

was employed in the commercial 

banking sector. 

His extensive professional 

background also includes significant 

national and international experience 

(including key managerial roles) in 

sales, marketing and branding. 

Paul also has substantial small 

business experience as an owneroperator 

and holds a Bachelor of 

Business degree in Finance from 

Edith Cowan University. 




Shaka Bagadu Cook 

… the paradox 

“This journey of mine has been long and difficult. It has not been easy at all. The year 2008 was one of the worst 

years of my life, I lost my loved ones and my heart ached and it still aches to this very day. 

I was in year 12 doing TEE subjects and exams when my mind, my heart and my spirit disintegrated. I missed out 

on a lot of things to do with my culture and my people. I suffered because of how much time I missed out with 

my family, my people and my culture. 

You think that this is what I wanted, you think that this is my passion, to perform and act and be away from 

home. I didn’t ask for this. Everything that I have done since high school has never been for myself. The choices I 

made and the sacrifices I have had to make I did it all for my people and the people in the world that know what 

it’s like to struggle in life. 

Many times in the last 5 years, it would have been easy to just give up and go home, be comfortable, be safe. But 

what would that accomplish. What would that say? 

I have pushed through the hard times and I know there are still more to come, but I won’t stop fighting. Many 

times I have felt alone feeling as if I am the only one in my area facing the world trying to make a difference. It’s 

hard. But I refuse to give in.” – Shaka Cook 

Shaka Cook has come a long way 

since completing year 12, four years 

ago at the Senior High School in 

Tom Price. Now studying in Sydney 

and at the end of his three year 

degree at the National Institute 

of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Shaka 

is preparing to graduate with a 

Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Acting. 

There are many demands and 

challenges in acting. 

“As an actor I have learnt that no 

matter what you do as long as you 

are truthful and honest in how you 

put yourself into what you are doing 

you can move people including 

yourself. It is a hard thing to 

describe,” Shaka said. 

During his time at NIDA, Shaka 

studied acting techniques, 

performance history, arts and ideas, 

movement [stage combat, ballet, 

jazz, tap dance], music, theatre, 

singing, film and TV. 

With a busy schedule, he is in 

class from 9am to 6pm Monday 

to Friday, and uses the weekends 

to rest, while always preparing for 

classes for the following week. On 

top of all his classes, each term, the 

students must prepare for different 

public performances which demands 

a lot of extra rehearsal time, 

including some weekends and some 

days where they don’t finish until 11 

o’clock at night. 

Shaka has participated in many 

different plays, including Russian, 

Australian, American and 

Shakespearean works. 

“Even though the language of 

Shakespeare’s time seems difficult at 

first, I found it’s just like doing any 

other play. It is important to tell the 

story and to be honest. All you have 

to do is to know what you are saying 

and why you are saying it. You need 

to be truthful and understand what is 

happening in the world of the play. 

It’s just life,” explains Shaka. 

‘I love playing characters that have 

a great journey in the world of the 

play, that are strong in their own 

ways and that can always surprise 

you at any moment in time. I love 

film and working on film. I think it is 

the one I feel most comfortable with 

and it pushes you to get better and 

better with every take that you do, 

to never fall back and always keep 

pushing beyond your limit.” 

Mentor and friend, Debbie Douglass 

says his commitment and talent has 

impressed his lecturers. 

Shaka says he is looking forward to 

completing his degree and having 

some time to catch up with friends 

and family, to visit people he has 

not seen in a long time. As for the 

future, he would like to get into 

film and become more involved in 

his lore and culture and continue to 

make a difference. 

When asked whether he would 

consider moving back to the Pilbara, 

Shaka: “Of course, it is my home 

– it will always be my home, no 

matter where my journey takes me. 

I have never felt as if I have moved 

anywhere, even though I have lived 

in Perth and am in Sydney now. My 

home is where my heart is and that 

is where my family is.” – By Elly Lukale 

Gumala Member inducted into 

WA Women’s Hall of fame 

Gumala Member and Nyiyiparli 

Traditional Owner Jahna Cedar 

has received the prestigious honour 

of being inducted into the WA 

Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Announced on March 8 (which 

is International Women’s Day), 

Jahna is one of an elite group of 10 

inductees in 2012. 

Awarded by the National Committee 

for UN Women in Australia (one of 

18 National Committees globally), 

Jahna told Gumala News that her 

current goals include continuing 

the fight for equality for Aboriginal 

people. 

“I also want to continue inspiring 

and motivating Indigenous people to 

achieve their goals and aspirations,” 

she said. 

Jahna added that she is planning to 

apply for scholarships to complete 

her MBA at university. 

At age 28, Jahna is 2012’s youngest 

Hall of Fame inductee. She has 

dedicated her adult life to helping 

Indigenous people find employment, 


(GAC) always encourages our 

Stakeholders, Members and 

the wider community to visit 

our corporate website, which 

underwent a major revamp last 

year. 

www.gumala.com.au has become a 

cutting edge, interactive, content 

rich, visually exciting web presence 

that reflects the professional, 

progressive organisation that GAC 

has become. 

Jahna Cedar (Nyiyaparli) pictured alongside her mother, Lisa Hirini 

(Nyiyaparli) at the induction ceremony on March 8, 2012 

especially in the Pilbara region. The 

mother of two was selected last 

year to represent Australia at the 

UN Commission on the Status of 

Women. 

She has also sat on various 

Committees and Boards and 

was chosen as the under 18s 

representative on the Aboriginal and 

Torres Strait Islander Commission 

delegation that attended the UN 

third preparatory committee for the 

special session on children in 2001. 

Jahna grew up in Marble Bar and 

recently relocated with her family 

from South Hedland to Perth. 

Want to learn more about Gumala? 



Traditional Owner thrives in helping 

to empower the next generation 

Gumala Member, Donna Curley is 

making a positive impact in the lives 

of our young people. 

“My motto is: life is all about 

choices,” Donna said, “don’t be 

afraid to try something new and 

different.” 

Donna works as a Student Mentor 

and Region Coordinator for the 

David Wirrpanda Foundation, Deadly 

Sista Girlz Program for Indigenous 

girls, at Roebourne Primary School 

and Peggs Creek Primary School in 

Karratha. 

About 26 girls are registered as 

attendees but on any given day 

the numbers vary between 12 and 

15, from grades five to seven. It 

is a requirement that the girls go 

to school on the day, as the after 

school program is seen as a reward 

for attendance. 

Deadly Sista Girlz (a nationwide 

initiative) empowers girls by 

providing a comfortable and safe 

environment where they can discuss 

issues they are facing, with the 

support of an Indigenous female role 

model, like Donna. 

ROLE MODEL 

Donna believes her role as an 

Indigenous female role model is 

important and says, “It shows 

the girls leadership, how to be 

independent and to show the girls 

we can do anything.” 

“I think the program is really 

necessary because some girls miss 

out,” she said. The activities and 

one on one support they receive is 

important and provides our girls with 

confidence and a safe place to hang 

out with their friends. 

Donna helps the girls through team 

building activities, which help to 

develop self-esteem and personal 

development. They learn about skin 

care, health care and also social skills 

like how to handle bullying. 

Donna Curley (second from right) beside David Wirrpanda at the David Wirrpanda 

Foundation’s fifth Annual Fundraising Dinner at the new State Reception Centre in Kings 

Park, Perth. Special guests included His Excellency the Governor Mr Malcolm McCusker. 

Activities like fishing, swimming and 

group outings are used as a way to 

develop and teach the girls skills, 

while having fun at the same time. 

“We try to keep it real with our 

girls,” Donna said, “We teach them 

that education is important and the 

basic skills they’ll need in everyday 

life.” 

Donna also works as an Aboriginal 

Islander Education Officer (AIEO) 

at Karratha Senior High School. 

This role allows her to engage with 

the students, who don’t fit into the 

mainstream education system, by 

supporting them to develop the 

necessary educational and life skills 

they need to gain employment and 

be successful young adults. 

GREAT SUPPORT 

Donna admits that she gets great 

support from people she works 

with. She would like to acknowledge 

Julie Gordon (a teacher in the 

Engagement Program) for the 

wonderful work she does, supporting 

and teaching the students basic 

classes. Her assistant Kasey Cheedy, 

in the Deadly Sista Girlz program 

is another Indigenous female role 

model. “She does a wonderful job 

because she can relate with the girls 

and their experiences,” Donna said. 

Donna has witnessed positive 

changes in the girls and believes 

the Deadly Sista Girlz will “endorse 

strong, independent Aboriginal 

Women to become educated and 

bring something positive back to 

their communities.” 

It was also a great honour for Donna 

to attend the David Wirrpanda 

Foundation 5th Annual Fundraising 

Dinner in Perth with Western 

Australian Governor General, His 

Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker, 

AO CVO QC also attending the 

dinner. 


Community clean-ups prove to 

be a big success for Gumala’s 

remote communities 

Gumala has held highly successful 

clean-up “busy bee” days in two of 

our communities. 

The most recent was a community 

clean-up day that took place at 

Wakuthuni community in late 

February. 

Organised by GAC’s Project Officer 

- Community Development, Kerry 

Above: Images from the 

Wakuthuni clean-up day 

(clockwise from top left): 

Kerry Kessner and Joyce 

Drummond; Joyce in the 

driver’s seat of the Gumala 

tipper truck; some of the 

children that took part in 

the clean-up - Blake Cook, 

Louwena James, Parys 

Cook and Kyam Cook; Sam 

Donaldson and Devina Ranger 

preparing lunch. Safety 

sunglasses, gloves, a hat and 

steel cap boots were provided 

for community members who 

took part in the clean-up, 

followed by a free lunch. 

Kessner, about 20 people from 

the community, including children, 

helped with the clean-up. 

Kerry said she wished to thank 

all who took part in the clean-up, 

including Joyce Drummond for all 

her hard work (including driving the 

truck). 

Kerry: “Thanks also to Abel, who 

Ken Ingie Snr and Bruce Mahy pictured during 

the Bellary Springs community clean-up day 

had already done a lot of work just 

prior to the main clean up day on 

Saturday 25th February. 

“A big thank you goes out to Leroy 

Cook for all his hard work cleaning 

up the grass and shrubbery, and to 

Sam Donaldson and Devina Ranger, 

who cooked the lunches. 

“An enormous thank you to 

everyone that helped out. It was a 

successful and rewarding venture. 

The community was really clean at 

the end of it, so the hard work was 

well and truly worth it.” 

BELLARY SPRINGS 

Prior to the Wakuthuni clean-up, 

community members in Bellary 

Springs community were encouraged 

to take part in a weekend busy 

bee organised by two of Gumala’s 

Projects team members Kerry 

Kessner and Bruce Mahy. 

The busy bee focused on clearing 

rubbish from communal areas and 

on the day filled two tipper trucks 

with rubbish. 

“It’s a good way for the community 

to come together,” Kerry said. 

She added that special thanks go out 

to Ken Ingie Snr and Ken Ingie Jnr 

for assisting with the Bellary Springs 

clean-up in their community. 

OLD CAR BODY REMOVALS 

In other news, Gumala’s Kerry 

Kessner has arranged for the 

removal of old car bodies from the 

communities. Over a dozen old 

cars will now be recycled and put 

to good use for Rio Tinto’s fire and 

safety program at the mines. 



Young champion boxers gain the 

respect of a boxing legend 

Champion boxers Jayden Hansen 

(Gumala Member, aged 19) and his 

brother Julian Jeakings (aged 13) 

have again covered themselves with 

glory, this time at the Australian 

National Championships in Hobart. 

Julian was crowned gold medallist, 

while Jayden missed out by a hairs 

breath on 2012 London Olympics 

selection by finishing in third place 

(he needed to finish first or second). 

Jayden fought older and more 

experienced Olympic Games and 

Commonwealth Games boxers, but 

boxed incredibly well. He missed 

out on the final – and the 2012 

Olympic Games – by just two 

points. 

Jayden and Julian also had the 

honour of meeting former heavy 

weight boxing champion Joe Bugner 

in Perth in March. “Aussie Joe” was 

so impressed by the young boxing 

duos’ list of title wins, that he went 

out of his way to give the boys a 

photo personally autographed by 

himself and Muhammad Ali. The 

photo is of Bugner and Ali in the 

boxing ring (he fought for the world 

heavyweight championship in 1975, 

losing on points in a second bout 

with Ali). 

Jayden and Julian are the sons of 

Gumala Member and Employee, 

Paula White. Paula, and her husband 

Ben, are their sons biggest supporters 

and are very proud of what they 

have achieved. 


provides financial support through 

scholarship funding assistance. 

Images of Jayden Hansen and Julian Jeakings 

hanging out with with one of their boxing heros, 

former heavy weight champion Joe Bugner, 

during his visit to Perth in March 2012 

GUMALA 

Aboriginal 

Corporation 

ICN 2744 

HEAD OFFICE: 

1 Stadium Road, Tom Price WA 6751 

PO Box 61, Tom Price, WA 6751 

Ph: (08) 9188 4500 

Ph: 1800 486 252 (1800 GUMALA) 

Fax: (08) 9188 1846 

PERTH OFFICE: 

Level 2, 165 Adelaide Terrace, 

East Perth WA 6004 

PO Box 3167, East Perth WA 6892 

Ph: (08) 9219 4500 

Fax: (08) 9219 4555 

Page 16 

Email: gac@gumala.com.au 

web: www.gumala.com.au 

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation

Gumala News - April 2012 - Community Edition

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