Celebration day for Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation
Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) welcomed project partners, directors, and community members to its new home to celebrate the success of the project.
Photo: L to R - Joe Morrison, Gail Carnes and Nelson O’Reeri (c) Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
The town of Derby in Western Australia is coming together for a day of celebration to commemorate the new home of the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC).
WAC Board Chair, Nelson O’Reeri, shared his thoughts on this milestone.
Our new headquarters represents more than just a building for us – it is a place where our community can come together, a foundation for our future growth, and a testament to our enduring connection to our land and culture.
WAC moved into their headquarters near the traditional lands of the Ngarinyin people just over 12 months ago, and recently it welcomed project partners, directors, and community members to its new home to celebrate the success of the project.
The celebration recognises the enduring knowledge of the Ngarinyin people and the crucial work of WAC.
The facility provides much-needed space for the organisation’s future growth, offering a fit-for-purpose environment for its 24 staff members, 18 of whom are Indigenous. It also provides certainty for the WAC and strengthens their capabilities to care for Country now and into the future.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) highlighted the importance of this achievement.
“At the ILSC, we are driven by the fundamental importance of supporting Indigenous communities in their efforts to preserve culture, manage Country, and ensure the sustainability of their traditions,” said Mr Morrison.
Seeing WAC’s new headquarters in the flesh gives you an understanding that this is not just about the building itself, but about what it represents to the Ngarinyin people in their journey towards self-determination.
Wilinggin Country spans more than 63,000 sq km in the eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia. WAC works tirelessly to support the Ngarinyin people in managing and protecting their Country.
The ILSC is proud to have been involved, contributing $1 million in funding for the acquisition of the building and supporting the WAC to further its mission to preserve and restore cultural heritage and knowledge for future generations.
Photo: L to R - Ray Lennox, Theresa Bear, Barbara Bear, Heather Wungundin, LeeAnne Bear, Nelson O’Reeri, Noel Sampi, Joe Morrison, Daryl Millington, Gail Carnes