GUMALA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Gumala Aboriginal Coporation membership consilting with Rio Tinto. Source: G.A.C.

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) is celebrating its 25th year since 1996 as a prescribed body corporate representing the interest of Aboriginal people in the Northwest Pilbara of Western Australia.

GAC was formed by the Yinhawangka, Banjima, and Nyiyaparli people and is guided by respected cultural advisors and leader who hope to better the future for the next generation and relieve the mob from poverty.

GAC was formed after Hamersley Iron, now known as Rio Tinto, had to speak with the traditional owners of the land in negotiations of the proposed development of what is now Yandi mine.

Banjima GAC chief executive officer, Mr Justin Dhu reflects on the 25-year anniversary for GAC stating he was present during the beginning stages of GAC.

“I was actually a kid in those meetings when they were organising the negotiations with Hamersley Iron, and at the time, now, Rio Tinto. So, there's been a lot of proud moments in my time here, as the executive officer.”

GAC Executive Officer Justin Dhu. Source: GUMALA

Mr Dhu said he was fortunate to witness the development of Gumala which allows him to guide the board of directors to collectively agree on a direction for the corporation.

“Having background information and historic facts for GAC is crucial for the directors to make informed decisions on behalf of the membership”.

He outlines his extensive work previously working at GAC and developing those crucial relationships with past and present directors,

“I started in the governance team, so I worked closely with board members, and I've developed really good working relationships with them”.

Mr. Dhu hopes to carry the corporation through more years supporting the membership and Gumala staff, but still said mining companies aren’t fair with Native Title holders, particularly regarding Yandi mine.

“Being a part of understanding of what was promised, or what was said at the start, and then, unfortunately, being at the 25-year mark, and still seeing those needs by and for the community and in wanting to help our people”.

Justin expresses his disappointment in the struggle GAC members still face after 25 years of support through programs and projects.

Leading the way for his mob, Justin has undertaken his first vaccination of the Pfizer dose to combat COVID-19, in hopes to encourage other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate. Being informed of the vaccination rate enticed him to lead by example.

“I heard it on radio, that the vaccination rates in the Pilbara are quite low, especially with Aboriginal people and I know that a lot of my family members are still quite sceptical about getting the vaccination. So, I was fortunate enough to be here in East Perth, at the Derbal Yerrigan AMS, where they had a couple of vaccines, and they were administering Pfizer on the day. So, I was fortunate to get a place and go down there and get the Pfizer jab.”

Mr Dhu later admits at the start he was very sceptical of getting the vaccination.

“… It was developed so quickly, and I wanted to see whether or not it actually worked. I think that's probably the same way a lot of our people and our members are thinking.”

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has strongly supported its membership, providing member services in both Tom Price and Perth and is focusing on repairing and upgrading its ‘homeland communities’ which include Bellary, Wakuthuni, Youngeleena, Mingullatharndo, Wirriilimarra and Bidiltha.

Mr Dhu outlines GAC’s project in the homeland communities;

“So we were out at Birdiltha, you know, but those are looking at some buildings there. And looking at the power and water that that community gets and having a catch-up with residents, who are also some of our members. We also went around to Youngalena, looking at upgrading one of their facilities to have disability access for one of their members hoping to return back to country very soon. Wirrilimurra, we've had an ongoing project there to try and put in a hybrid system of solar and diesel generation to power that community. I tried to get out there all the time and catch up with people. I think it's important for them to be able to see me and to have their concerns heard”

Gumala’s Official Certifcate as a registered PBC. Source: Office of Rigistrar of Indigenous Corporations