The Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) is on the move – having relocated to a new, fit-for-purpose Headquarters located in Spalding, Western Australia.

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) has provided over $870,000 of funding to assist WYAC acquire the property, which spans over 2,188 square metres on Wajarri Country.

The permanent base will ensure WYAC have capability for future expansion, including growing its Wajarri members, which currently sit at 4500, and increasing the services the corporation provides both internally and to the community. 

The new site will also allow the WYAC team to develop a Ranger Program to work across all Wajarri Yamaji Lands and expand the corporation’s existing Heritage function.

In the next two years, WYAC anticipates it will onboard 20 new employees and establish 8 new Indigenous enterprises, with up to 500 Indigenous people participating in training and 50 people placed into employment.

The increased office space will mean WYAC has the capability to improve both the efficiency and timeliness of their service processing times, which greatly benefits the Indigenous community.

ILSC Group Chief Executive Officer, Joe Morrison, said the ILSC was confident the new building would help WYAC deliver on their strategic objectives, operating in an enhanced environment.

“It is always an honour for the ILSC to support Indigenous corporations in their quest for self-determination, and WYAC’s acquisition of this property is an excellent example,” said Mr Morrison.

“I look forward to seeing what WYAC will achieve as a result of their new space, and how it will impact the community in the years to come.”

WYAC Chief Executive Officer, Graham O’Dell, said WYAC is very grateful for the ILSC’s support during the process.

“The assistance received from the ILSC in the purchase of our new premises is a significant event in the Wajarri Yamaji Peoples’ aspirations to own their own office,” said Mr O’Dell.

“We are thankful for the help the ILSC has provided in enhancing the capacity of the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation to service its over 4000 members and manage the native title rights and interests of the Wajarri Yamaji People”.

The new Headquarters come at a great time for WYAC and Wajarri People, who will soon undertake exciting projects, including signing an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the CSIRO and commencing the Square Kilometre Array Project with the Commonwealth Government.

Settlement occurred on 27 July 2023. The new Headquarters is located at 235a Flores Road, Spalding, Western Australia.