WYAC's rapid expansion continues across Mid West

David Prestipino
David Prestipino Published October 26, 2023 at 8.30am (AWST)

The Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation has received $850,000 to help it acquire new, purpose-built headquarters as it rapidly expands business and service opportunities for communities across WA's Mid-West region.

The funding boost on Wednesday from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation will help WYAC secure the 2188 square metre property in Spalding on Wajarri Country, and was one of many the corporation has received as undertakes more projects.

WYAC's new permanent base will allow the expansion of its 4500 Wajarri member base, as well as services internally and throughout the community.

CEO Graham O'Dell said ILSC's support for acquisition was significant given WYAC's position as a provider of business and employment opportunities across the Mid-West.

WYAC recently signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the CSIRO and commenced the Square Kilometre Array Project with the Commonwealth Government.

"These new premises will provide a lot more scope for the Corporation to expand and service the Wajarri People," Mr O'Dell said.

The corporation was pursuing tender and contract opportunities for Wajarri businesses and individuals to leverage several of its projects in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions.

WYAC's expanded new office space will allow it to expand its operations, such as car hire and catering, providing direct employment opportunities for the community.

It will also house a Ranger Program to operate across all four Wajarri Yamaji Lands, and expand the corporation's existing cultural heritage management.

WYAC predicted 20 new jobs and eight Indigenous businesses would be created in the next two years, with further training for 200 people across key industries to another 50 employment opportunities.

ILSC Group CEO, Joe Morrison said the organisation's investment reflected its confidence in WYAC's strategy objectives, which the new facility would further aid.

"We are honoured to support Indigenous corporations in their quest for self determination," he said on Wednesday.

WYAC also recently purchased the Drummond Cove Tourist Park just north of Geraldton, which has abundant undeveloped land with sweeping views across the Indian Ocean.

Mr O'Dell said the 14-hectare site was slated to be developed as a training facility in hospitality services and management, ahead of the construction of a camp at Boolardy as part of the SKAO project.

"There is much happening out at Boolardy with the SKAO Project," he said.

In April, WYAC was one of nine Indigenous organisations that shared $350,000 In state government funding to manage cultural heritage areas across the Mid West.

The grant helped community leaders maintain the significant Walga Rock Aboriginal rock art site, which depicts 17th-century European ships visiting the west coast of Australia.

It also recently received $230,000 through the Regional Economic Development Grant Midwest Development Corporation to support development of a tourism business at Walga Rock and Willgle Mia.

WYAC also receives revenue through the Murchison Radio Observatory Indigenous Land Use Agreement as well as more recent mining agreements.

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