New era for Yamatji Nation

Media Release - Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation

The Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation (YSRC) has taken a major step forward – hiring an inaugural Chief Executive Officer and completing the purchase of its headquarters in Geraldton.

The Corporation was established to oversee the management and implementation of the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement which was finalised with the State Government last year.

The Agreement covers 48,000 square kilometres of the mid-west region and provides the Yamatji Nation with a package of benefits to support the self-determination of the Yamatji people.

Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation Chairperson Ross Councillor said appointing Yamatji man Jamie Strickland as CEO would now enable the organisation to forge its own path.

"Jamie Strickland comes to us with a significant and distinguished career in the WA public service, having held senior and executive roles in the mid-west since 2012," he said.

"He is dedicated to creating a strong and influential organisation to support the future prosperity and wellbeing of our members.

"Jamie is an effective, influential leader who has a deep commitment to the Yamatji Nation.

"We look forward to working with him in support of the Corporation’s strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and development of our governance structure during this important establishment phase."

Mr Strickland said he was looking forward to the challenge of the new position and meeting the aspirations of his people.

"I am absolutely thrilled with the prospect of building a strong and capable Corporation that will drive significant opportunity for the Yamatji Nation, and also the mid-west," he said.

"Yamatji people have long played an important but under-acknowledged role in our Country, but the Agreement is a driver for positive change and will allow those key roles of Yamatji people to be elevated and enable us to lead from the front.

"The hard work to date of the Traditional Owner Negotiation Team and the Board should be absolutely commended and has laid a solid path for exciting times ahead."

Mr Councillor said the YSRC had also begun operating from its new headquarters on Wiebbe Hayes Lane, Geraldton.

"This places the Corporation front and centre in the community to conduct our business and allow accessibility for our members and stakeholders," said Mr Councillor.

"The purchase of this property was a significant journey for the organisation and I would like to acknowledge the negotiating efforts of my board in securing this important asset."

The YSRC also acknowledged the support of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), which was assisting the Corporation to build capacity, develop a land management regime and design a process for significant water rights to be transferred.

Mr Strickland said the Corporation would begin recruiting its operational team in the near future, with a focus on employing local people.