- More than $1.56 million invested through Lotterywest to strengthen Aboriginal leadership and community outcomes across the Mid West and Pilbara
- Geraldton CBD building to become a major First Nations community hub
- Three initiatives funded to strengthen cultural connection and preserve cultural knowledge
- Part of Cook Labor Government’s commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, and community leadership
The Cook Labor Government is supporting stronger cultural, social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people across Western Australia’s Mid West and Pilbara through two Lotterywest grants.
More than $1.5 million has been awarded to the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) to establish a culturally safe community hub in Geraldton and support three Aboriginal-led cultural initiatives.
The investment recognises the important role Aboriginal leadership, economic participation and community development play in the long-term prosperity of regional WA.
The centrepiece of the funding is a $1.458 million Lotterywest grant to refurbish and fit out YMAC’s Geraldton CBD building, transforming it into an Aboriginal-controlled, culturally safe community hub.
The facility will provide a dedicated space for Aboriginal organisations, Traditional Owners and community members to come together for governance, training, consultations, youth engagement and community activities. Once completed, it will support more than 20
Aboriginal organisations and regional groups.
The project includes accessibility, infrastructure and compliance upgrades, new governance and meeting spaces, and culturally significant design features. It will strengthen Aboriginal-led governance, support workforce development and create new opportunities for economic participation across the region.
A further $109,013 will support the annual Yamatji On-Country Gathering, the Yule River On-Country Bush Meeting and the Elders Film Project, helping to strengthen cultural connections, support Aboriginal leadership and preserve cultural knowledge for future generations.
Together, these initiatives will strengthen Aboriginal leadership, maintain cultural knowledge and create new opportunities for communities across the Mid West and Pilbara.
They reflect the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal-led initiatives that deliver lasting cultural, social and economic benefits for regional Western Australia.
Since 2012, Lotterywest has provided six grants to Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, totalling more than $1.6 million.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting Aboriginal-led organisations because we know strong Aboriginal communities are fundamental to strong regional communities.
“This investment will help Aboriginal people across the Mid West and Pilbara strengthen culture, build capability and create new opportunities for economic participation, leadership and community development.
“The Geraldton community hub and associated initiatives will deliver lasting cultural, social and economic benefits, while supporting Aboriginal self-determination and helping drive long-term regional prosperity.”
