Archived News
introducing the 6th social norm
14 December 2021
BBY Board Directors and Local Management Committees have taken a lead in adding a sixth social norm (language and culture) to the previous five social norms.
The decision is part of Empowered Communities vision to strengthen Aboriginal culture and establish a firm foundation to empower Aboriginal people.
The six social norms are an important statement shared in Empowered Communities East Kimberley history. They tell the story of what we all agree we want for our families and our communities in East Kimberley.
To learn more about our 6 social norms click here
ENHANCING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EAST KIMBERLEY
10 December 2021
Posted by Jawun
The East Kimberley region is home to over 11,000 residents, most of whom live in the larger business hubs of Kununurra, Wyndham and Halls Creek, while the remainder live across 50 smaller communities including Kalumburu and Balgo.
According to 2016 ABS Census data, only ~38% of East Kimberley’s Indigenous working-age residents (aged 15-54) are employed. Meanwhile, the demand for labour is at an all-time high in all industries across the region. Businesses can’t find sufficient workers to meet demands as a result of limited numbers of local workers, as well as drastically reduced international and fly-in fly-out workers. These challenges need to be addressed to meet demand and improve opportunities for local people.
GROWING UP STRONG KIDS: KNX EARLY YEARS HUB TAKES MOMENTUM
1 November 2021
On 26 July, Early Years’ service providers in Kununurra came together to reset and strengthen relationships at an Early Years Hub Workshop facilitated by BBY. The workshop aimed at identifying key actions the group could work on together to improve outcomes for children 0-7 years.
sector DEVELOPMENT: exciting opportunity for EMPLOYEES in EAST KIMBERLEY
21 October 2021
Vocational Training Services, in partnership with Wunan are offering a Diploma of Leadership and Management program specifically tailored for businesses that operates in East Kimberley. is designed to be delivered in a blended learning mode through a combination of face-to-face classroom delivery and self-paced learning, with support systems in place locally (through Wunan) and remotely by the VTS Trainer.
For more information, click on the following.
board vacancies available: BBY
20 September 2021
Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo (BBY) is seeking Indigenous Directors (2) to join its Board for a minimum term of 2 years. To be eligible, BBY is seeking regional leaders with vision, drive and leadership experience to play a key role in the governance of BBY. To apply, please download the application form and send by email to ceo@bby.org.au by 4 October 2021. To learn more about the position please download the information sheet.
If you have any questions about the application or selection process, please contact Christy Hawker at ceo@bby.org.au or (08) 9169 2272.
job vacancy available: Kimberley language resource centre
31 August 2021
The Kimberley Language Resource Centre (KLRC) is looking for a Manager and a Project Manager to join their team in Halls Creek. The successful candidates will be responsible for delivering exciting language projects in collaboration with Aboriginal community language practitioners.
For more information, please conact Hayley Tutton from Effective HR at hayley@effectivehr.com.au
SECURING GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WEBINAR NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE
18 August 2021
Check out our Securing Government Contracts Webinar on our Youtube channel –
The Webinar features speakers from Morrgul, the Department of Finance, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley and Martin & Sons Contracting – where they discuss practical ways for Aboriginal organisations to secure government contracts.
The webinar series is part of BBY’s Sector Development Initiative meant to build capacity and capability for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in the East Kimberley.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 2021
28 July 2021
The National Aboriginal and Torres Islander Children’s Day is celebrated across Australia each year on 4 August. This year’s celebrations will run under the theme: “Proud in Culture, Strong in Spirit”.
The 2021 theme highlights the importance of supporting strong family and community connections to help Indigenous children achieve strong spiritual and cultural wellbeing and to form proud cultural identities.
Children's Day is a time to for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. It is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every child.
Source: indigenous.gov.au
HALLS CREEK Indigenous voice consultation
04 May 2021
Halls Creek Indigenous Voice Consultations will start 0n Thursday 6 May 2021.
The proposals have been developed by the Indigenous Voice co-design groups and could be made up of two parts – Local and Regional Voices and a National Voice.
Indigenous voice consultations - have your say
21 April 2021
Kununurra Indigenous Voice Consultations are scheduled to start 0n 29 April 2021 at Kununurra Leisure Centre. The session will stretch from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm where Indigenous Australians will be given a platform to provide advice and input on matters that are important to improving their lives.
The proposals have been developed by the Indigenous Voice co-design groups and could be made up of two parts – Local and Regional Voices and a National Voice.
Local and Regional Voices would be community designed and led governance structures at a regional level. The National Voice would be a national body made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Public consultation and input is critical to ensure the best possible proposals are presented by the Indigenous Voice co-design groups in their final report to the Australian Government.
Aboriginal BUSINESS survey report released
20 July 2020
Earlier this year Empowered Communities East Kimberley rolled out the Aboriginal Business Survey 2020.
This survey has been a huge undertaking for Empowered Communities East Kimberley and all of the participants who provided their time and insights to make the survey happen. With an incredible response rate, we have found some new insights into the ACCO and Aboriginal Enterprise Sectors in the East Kimberley, and also revalidated some well-known truths.
Coronavirus (COVID 19)
Learn about COVID 19 and how to keep your families and communities safe and healthy.
Aboriginal Business Survey Launch and Support Service Expo
4 February 2020
In collaboration with Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo (BBY) Aboriginal Corporation, the Kimberley Development Commission and Local Content Adviser Network have partnered with BBY and Jawun to facilitate a launch event for the upcoming BBY Aboriginal Business Survey.
Calls for Expressions of Interest- Intensive Family Support Program in kununurra
8 January 2020
Binarri-binyja yarrawoo is proud to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) to deliver an Intensive Family Support Program in Kununurra.
Please contact Binarri-binyja yarrawoo for a confidential discussion or to request an information package- info@bby.org.au or (08) 9169 2272.
A briefing session for interested organisations will be held 10 – 11:30am on 15 January at NIAA offices, Kununurra.
Applications now closed.
bby joins social media
November 2019
You can now find BBY on Facebook! Like our page to get up-to-date information on recent events, and news from our member organisations across the East Kimberley.
Driving Empowerment through Joint Decision-Making in the East Kimberley
13 August 2019
To date, over 50 Jawun secondees have supported Empowered Communities in East Kimberley, supporting BBY capacity as well as providing direct support to the CEO and EC leaders. They have come from 5 organisations: the Australian Public Service, BCG, Herbert Smith Freehills, KPMG and Macquarie Bank.
Specifically their work has supported governance and policy development, improving of data and IT systems, development of culturally appropriate communication tools as well as community partner principles. A number have been instrumental to the design and implementation of the joint-decision making approach.
Funding for empowered communities extended
June 2019
The Government has provided continued funding to 30 June 2022 to fund ‘backbone organisations’ in the eight regions implementing Empowered Communities. This supports critical capability for Indigenous leaders as they work with their communities and partner organisations to identify and progress local priorities.
Calls for Expressions of Interest- Indigenous Home Ownership Programs
11 April 2019
Binarri-binyja yarrawoo is proud to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) to deliver a Home Ownership program providing supported pathways for Aboriginal people with the capacity, willingness and desire to purchase a home in the East Kimberley.
Applications have now closed.
100 Jobs key to empowerment
11 July 2018
MG Corporation is starting an ambitious scheme to secure long-term employment for at least 100 marginalised Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley.
The initiative has received two years’ funding to the tune of $1.4 million and is a joint project with the State and Federal governments and the backbone organisation for Empowered Communities in the region Binarri-binyja yarrawoo.
Voices Heard on Parliament Pitch
14 June 2018
Kimberley residents were given the opportunity this week to have
their say on what an Aboriginal voice to Federal Parliament should
be.
On board with co-design
17 May 2018
The North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund has prioritised the concept of co-design with the appointment of a Board member from Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation. Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo, backbone organisation of Empowered Communities in the East Kimberley, will be invaluable in providing local input to discussions and decisions made by the Board.
Kimberley Builders picked for $200M Housing Project
31 January 2018
A trio of Kimberley building companies have been awarded building and maintenance contracts under the $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund.
The first project through the fund will be the construction of 50 transitional houses in Kununurra, Wyndham and Halls Creek, guided by a co-design partnership between the WA Government and Empowered Communities East Kimberley.
INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS CONFERENCE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND VIEWS TO CONNECT
26 October 2017
The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)'s 2017 Cant We Do Better: Indigenous Affairs and Public Administration conference brought together hundreds of public servants, academics and representatives of Indigenous organisations. BBY Directors attended the conference, and Director Jean O'Reeri provided her thoughts on how to improve Indigenous Affairs.
EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES STATEMENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
31 July 2017
We strongly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the 30 June 2017 recommendations of the Referendum Council. We support a referendum to enshrine a First Nations voice in the Constitution through the establishment of a First Nations advisory body to the Parliament, together with a declaration of recognition outside the Constitution.
violence solutions in spotlight at Men's Meeting
28 July 2017
A group of prominent men from the Kununurra community are calling on all Aboriginal men in town to get together for a bush meeting next week.
The meeting was called after men from organisations like Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation, MG Corporation and Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation came together last week to talk about the issues of family and domestic violence.
They have called out the violence and suicide in the community as symptoms of underlying issues like a lack of strong leadership, poverty, intergenerational trauma and a loss of culture.
STATEMENT FROM THE KIMBERLEY REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT
7 July 2017
On Friday 7 July Kimberley leaders and community representatives met in Broome to discuss a collaborative regional approach to reduce the trauma and harm caused to Aboriginal communities by alcohol.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous community leaders came together with representatives from the Police, Kimberley local government Shires, researchers and health services and Bunuba woman June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
empowered Communities east kimberley - year 1 report
June 2017
In June 2017, all eight Empowered Communities regions across Australia released their 'Year 1 Report'. The East Kimberley report discusses our work in our first year of operation, and our aspirations for the future.
Aboriginal partnership cements housing fund
7 February 2017
A partnership agreement with a Kimberley Aboriginal corporation has laid the foundation for the $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund to be tailored to local needs.
The fund is a major initiative of regional services reform and one of 10 priority actions in the Resilient Families; Strong Communities roadmap. It will support hundreds of Aboriginal people to move out of social housing into transitional housing, private rental accommodation or home ownership.
INDIGENOUS LEADERS TAKE 'EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES' OVERHAUL TO THE PEOPLE
1 April 2015
Eight regions in Australia have opted in to the “empowered communities” reforms, which aim to close the gap by returning control of funding and services to Indigenous communities and focusing on investing in measures that lead to economic self-sufficiency.