A new Indigenous-led hub in Leonora, about 230 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie in WA's northern Goldfields, will bring together health, education and environmental programs over the next three years to strengthen communities across the region.
The Nyunnga Ku Aboriginal Corporation is leading the development of a Regional Community Collective Hub, described as a central space for collaboration, cultural healing and coordinated service delivery.
Backed by funding through the National Indigenous Australians Agency's Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, the project involves partnerships with Curtin University Rural Health and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The hub is set to deliver a "coordinated, culturally supportive regional healthcare model" while supporting economic growth and education pathways.
"The goal is to strengthen community-led partnerships within the region, fostering collaboration and coordinated approaches with social impact," a spokesperson for Nyunnga Ku Aboriginal Corporation said.
Community healing programs, including a Back to Country Camp that aims to reconnect people to land, family and story while offering trauma-informed mental health support, will also be offered by the new hub.
The organisation says the initiative "integrates cultural perspectives into health and environmental projects promoting holistic wellbeing and resilience".
The project also links Indigenous knowledge with science and innovation through a partnership with CSIRO that will foster two-way learning programs and STEM education for local students.
Programs will combine traditional land management with environmental monitoring and sustainable resource practices.
A pilot waste-to-energy project is planned to demonstrate circular economy principles in regional communities, alongside training in composting and energy demand analysis.
Through these initiatives, young people will be supported into roles such as data analysts, youth engagement coordinators, health trainees and cultural mediators - roles designed to develop local skills and future leadership.
Beyond health and education, the hub's broader goal is to grow regional economies by supporting Aboriginal enterprises in areas such as bush foods, medicines and environmental restoration.
Nyunnga Ku Aboriginal Corporation says the project "builds generational wealth and showcases Indigenous leadership in sustainable development".
The hub's rollout is expected to continue through 2026 and beyond, with a focus on expanding local partnerships and embedding research that respects traditional knowledge systems.
"Engaging Indigenous communities empowers local skills and integrates cultural knowledge into environmental management," the spokesperson said.
