Message from the CEO
It’s been a busy couple of months for YSRC, with plenty to be proud of.
Our 2026 NAIDOC Community Celebration was a highlight, bringing thousands of people together on the Geraldton Foreshore to celebrate Yamatji culture, Country and community.
It was great to see so many Elders, families and community members enjoying the performances, food and activities. Unfortunately, the weather meant the Dreamtime drone show couldn’t go ahead, but there was still plenty happening and a great atmosphere throughout the day.
A big thank you to our staff, volunteers, performers, community partners and sponsors. A lot of work goes into an event like this, including behind the scenes, and I appreciate everyone who pitched in to make it a success.
Our Annual General Meeting is coming up on Sunday, 29 November 2026, at the QEII Centre in Geraldton, starting at 10:00 am. I encourage Members to attend in person or online, or arrange a proxy if you’re unable to join us. It’s an opportunity to hear what we’ve achieved, ask questions and have your say on the future of YSRC.
I look forward to seeing you at the AGM.
Kind regards,
Luka Gray
CEO, YSRC
On - Country Services
Joint Management Plan Reaches Significant Milestone
YSRC's On Country Services team has reached an exciting milestone, with the Joint Management Plan progressing to its final stages following years of collaboration, planning and dedication.
The Plan's core content has now been completed and presented to the Joint Management Board for review and endorsement, marking an important step towards strengthening the long-term protection and management of Yamatji Country.
A special acknowledgement goes to YSRC Joint Management Project Officers Dan Shiosaki and Curtis Robinson, our Elders and Cultural Committee members, and our partners at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), whose knowledge, commitment and contributions have been instrumental in bringing the Plan together.
With the final design stage underway, YSRC looks forward to sharing this important achievement and continuing to work alongside DBCA to protect, preserve and restore the cultural and environmental values of Country for future generations.
Photo L-R: Ross Komode - DBCA Regional Leader Joint Management, ‘Ozzie’ Dan Oswald - YSRC General Manager, On Country Services, Velencia McAuliffe - Business Support Officer, On Country Services, Joshua Narrier - DBCA Joint Management Project Officer, Yamatji Conservation Estate) & Curtis Robinson - YSRC Joint Management Body & Cultural Committee Engagement Coordinator.
Yamatji Rangers Going from Strength to Strength
It's an exciting time for our Yamatji Rangers, with the team once again operating at full capacity following recent recruitment.
With a growing team and an expanding range of projects, our Rangers continue to strengthen their skills, build partnerships and create opportunities to care for Country.
Working alongside stakeholders and community partners, the team is focused on developing existing programs while exploring new opportunities that support Ranger training, professional development and the long-term growth of the program.
Ranger Base: A Place to Grow!
Our Yamatji Rangers have been busy settling into their new Ranger Base, creating a dedicated space for the team to work, learn and grow together.
With equipment organised, shelving installed and the workspace taking shape, the new Base is already providing a positive environment for collaboration and teamwork.
Out on Country, Rangers have continued important restoration and maintenance activities across several cultural heritage sites, working alongside Elders and Dan Shiosaki to protect these special places and strengthen their understanding of cultural knowledge and land management practices.
A heartfelt thank you to our Elders for generously sharing their time, knowledge and guidance with the team.
The Rangers have also been building their professional skills, recently completing a team First Aid refresher training day. It was a great opportunity to learn together, strengthen practical skills and enjoy some team bonding along the way!
We look forward to sharing more achievements as our Rangers continue their important work caring for Country.
Nyitty Junior Ranger Program
Inspiring the Next Generation
Learning on Country, sharing knowledge and inspiring future Rangers.
YSRC's Nyitty Junior Ranger Program is off to a fantastic start, connecting young people with Yamatji culture, traditional knowledge and the importance of caring for Country.
During its first term, our Rangers visited five Mid West schools, engaging with more than 250 students through interactive activities, cultural learning and hands-on environmental education.
The program provides young people with valuable opportunities to learn directly from Yamatji Rangers, explore the natural environment and discover potential career pathways in land and sea management.
The response from schools and community organisations has been overwhelmingly positive, with all nine feedback responses highlighting an increase in students' understanding of Aboriginal culture and knowledge.
Program Highlights | August–October 2026
5 - Mid-West schools visited
253 - Students engaged
64 - First Nations students participating
90 - Community participants at the STEM Roadshow
100% - Positive cultural learning feedback
11 - New program enquiries
With growing interest from schools and community groups, the Nyitty Junior Ranger Program is creating exciting opportunities to inspire the next generation of young people to connect with culture and Country.
Fire, Regrowth and Wildlife on the Chapman River
In September, 120 Year 4 and 5 students from Waggrakine Primary School joined our Yamatji Rangers for an engaging learning experience exploring fire, regeneration and wildlife along the Chapman River.
Beginning with a classroom presentation, students discovered the important role fire plays in caring for Country, including the differences between cool and hot burns and how the environment recovers following bushfires.
Students then headed out on Country to explore areas affected by recent fires, observe new growth and participate in bird monitoring activities. Along the way, they spotted a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles and lizards, while learning about the cultural significance of the river.
Ranger Andrew Ronan shared his knowledge of local plants, animals and the environment, receiving fantastic feedback from students and teachers.
The experience was rated 5 out of 5 by the teacher, highlighting the value of connecting classroom learning with real experiences on Country.
Yamatji Rangers Shine at STEM Roadshow
Our Yamatji Rangers were proud to participate in the Inspiring WA STEM Roadshow at the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre on 2 October, sharing their knowledge of Country, environmental science and Ranger work with approximately 90 participants.
Through interactive games and activities, the team demonstrated how cultural knowledge and contemporary science work together to care for Country.
The session received outstanding feedback from the WA Gould League, achieving a 5 out of 5 rating across all assessment areas.
The Rangers have already been invited to participate again next year, a wonderful recognition of the team's enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to engage young minds.
Sharing Culture and Knowledge at Holland Street School
Our Yamatji Rangers Kyianie, Liberty and Martika, alongside Coordinator Lisa, visited Holland Street School on 22 October to share their experiences of working on Country with Year 7 to 9 students.
Through stories, photographs, videos and hands-on activities, students gained an insight into the important work Rangers undertake, including wildlife monitoring, shark tagging and caring for the environment.
Students also enjoyed exploring Ranger equipment and learning about the tools used in the field.
The visit received wonderful feedback from teachers, who praised the team's enthusiasm, local knowledge and engaging presentation. Teacher Kelly-Jean said: "Absolutely fantastic presentation that was engaging for students and staff. We are very grateful for the local knowledge and the enthusiasm of the presenters to share stories, photos, videos with students at Holland Street School, and to allow students to handle some ranger equipment. We look forward to more learning opportunities."
These school visits continue to play an important role in inspiring young people and strengthening their connection to culture, Country and future career opportunities.
Reconnect to Country: Healing Country Through Art
Creativity, culture and caring for Country came together through the Reconnect to Country project, with approximately 130 students from Allendale, Bluff Point and Wandina Primary Schools participating in Aboriginal-inspired environmental art workshops.
Working alongside Reconnect to Country, Chapman River Friends and NACC, our Yamatji Rangers helped students bring their learning to life through colourful murals celebrating local rivers, wildlife and ecosystems.
The workshops formed Stage 3 of the project, building on earlier activities where students explored the cultural and environmental significance of the Chapman and Greenough Rivers.
Teachers were delighted to see how much knowledge students had retained, with many continuing to talk about their earlier experiences on Country months later.
The project is a wonderful example of how art, culture and environmental education can work together to inspire young people to appreciate and care for their local environment.
Welcome to The Team
We are delighted to welcome some new faces and a familiar one back to the YSRC team! Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to supporting Yamatji people, culture and Country.
Destiny McIntosh
Education Support Ranger | On Country Services
We are thrilled to welcome Destiny back to YSRC! A proud Southern Yamatji woman and mother of three from Geraldton, Destiny was one of our inaugural Sea Country Rangers and returns with valuable experience in land management, conservation and environmental education, including time working with DBCA Land Rangers.
With several qualifications in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Destiny brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a passion for inspiring young people through our Nyitty Junior Ranger Program.
Destiny has balanced motherhood, studies and her Ranger career with great determination. Outside work, she loves spending time outdoors with her children and sharing her passion for caring for Country.
It's wonderful to have Destiny back, helping inspire our next generation of Rangers!
Velencia ‘V’ McAuliffe
Business Support Officer | On Country Services
A warm welcome to Velencia, affectionately known as V, who joins our On Country Services team with over 15 years of experience in administration, compliance and operations.
With a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, V brings valuable skills to support the continued growth and success of our Yamatji Rangers and On Country programs.
V has strong family connections to the Mullewa Wadjari community through her husband, who was born and raised in Mullewa.
Outside work, V loves cricket, hockey, gardening and spending time with family. She enjoys bringing everyone together over good food, plenty of laughs and a strong cup of coffee!
We're excited to have V on board and look forward to the positive contribution she'll bring to the team!
Liberty Graham - Yamatji Ranger
We are delighted to welcome Liberty to our Yamatji Rangers team! A proud Southern Yamatji woman born in Geraldton, Liberty has strong family connections to Yamatji and Noongar family and a lifelong love of being on Country.
With experience working in community, particularly with young people, Liberty brings strong communication and teamwork skills, along with a passion for protecting Country and keeping cultural traditions alive.
She is especially excited to learn from Elders, strengthen her cultural knowledge and help pass stories and traditions on to future generations.
Outside work, Liberty loves hiking, swimming and exploring nature, with swimming alongside whale sharks high on her bucket list!
We warmly welcome Liberty and look forward to seeing her grow as a Ranger while helping care for Country for future generations.
Martika Baron - Yamatji Ranger
A very warm welcome to Martika, who has joined our Yamatji Rangers team!
A proud Southern Yamatji woman, Martika brings a genuine passion for caring for Country, protecting our land and sea, and strengthening her connection to culture and traditional knowledge.
She is excited to learn from her fellow Rangers, develop new skills and combine traditional cultural knowledge with modern conservation practices. For Martika, becoming a Ranger is a wonderful opportunity to grow while helping keep culture and traditions alive for future generations.
A proud mum, Martika loves spending quality time with her child, family and friends, enjoying the outdoors and exploring new places. One adventure on her bucket list is a road trip around Australia!
We're delighted to welcome Martika to the YSRC family and look forward to supporting her journey as she helps protect, preserve and restore Country!
💦 Yamatji Water Update
Building Skills Through Collaborative River Monitoring Training
Our Yamatji Water team and YSRC Rangers recently joined forces with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for a hands-on training session focused on fish kill response and river monitoring.
Led by DWER's River Science team, the training provided a valuable opportunity to develop practical skills in investigating fish kill events, monitoring river conditions and understanding the importance of maintaining healthy waterways.
The session also brought teams together to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and build on their shared commitment to caring for Country.
This valuable collaboration is helping build local skills and capacity, supporting future river monitoring activities and strengthening our ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Yamatji waterways for future generations.
Photo 1 Fish trap monitoring and
Photo 2 L-R Dakira & Shonette Mongoo, Vilma Hodder and Sharon Oxenham.
Connecting with Culture: Yamatji On-Country Experiences
Our Yamatji Water team recently enjoyed two days of cultural learning and connection, attending the YMAC On Country event and participating in activities celebrating Yamatji culture, heritage and traditional knowledge.
The team visited the Museum of Geraldton for the Activating Archives Workshop, led by a Yamatji artist. The workshop showcased 125-year-old Yamatji artefacts held in a Tasmanian museum, with modern technology allowing participants to explore and discuss traditional men's and women's tools, reconnecting with important aspects of Yamatji history.
The team also visited Yamatji Art, where they enjoyed a hands-on cultural experience creating their own kangaroo pelt bags while learning about traditional methods and practices.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the team to share experiences, strengthen cultural connections and deepen their appreciation of the rich knowledge and traditions passed down through generations.
Yamatji Business Support Continues to Grow
Yamatji Business Support Continues to Grow
Yamatji Business Support (YBS) continues to go from strength to strength, supporting Yamatji people to establish, develop and grow their businesses across a diverse range of industries.
The program has now supported 135 Yamatji businesses, reflecting the strong demand for business development opportunities and the growing number of Yamatji people pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.
Throughout September and October, YBS continued assisting businesses with planning, funding applications, compliance, financial management, tender readiness, mentoring and general business advice.
The program supports businesses across a wide range of industries, including trades, construction, transport, heritage, tourism, land management, professional services and creative enterprises.
YBS also works closely with partners including Indigenous Business Australia, Many Rivers, IPS Consultants, Morguul and Waalitj Hub, helping connect Yamatji businesses with specialist advice, funding opportunities and additional business support.
Beyond the initial assistance, YBS continues working alongside business owners as they grow, strengthen their operations and explore new opportunities.
With demand remaining exceptionally high, the team thanks everyone for their patience while enquiries and appointments are being managed.
YBS remains committed to strengthening Yamatji businesses, supporting economic independence and creating opportunities for Yamatji people and future generations.
Interested in YBS support? Contact the team on (08) 9934 6890 or admin@ysrc.com.au.
Double Award Success for Cultural Community Consultation!
A huge congratulations to Yamatji business owner Kristy Weston and her business, Cultural Community Consultation, on winning TWO prestigious business awards in 2026!
Kristy, a recipient of a Yamatji Business Support Grant, has achieved outstanding recognition for her business, taking home two major awards:
Winner, Aboriginal Business Category at the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards in August.
Winner, Indigenous Award Category at the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards.
An incredible achievement and a wonderful example of Yamatji business success!
Kristy has acknowledged the valuable support received through the YBS Grant, which helped her successfully launch Cultural Community Consultation.
The recognition has also inspired her to explore opportunities to expand the business beyond Noongar Country, opening the door to exciting possibilities for future growth.
YSRC is proud to support Yamatji entrepreneurs like Kristy, helping turn business ideas into reality and creating pathways for long-term economic opportunities.
Congratulations Kristy!
What a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to following your continued success!
YSRC Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sunday 29th November 2026
9:00am Registration - 10:00am start
Queen Elizabeth II Centre, 88 Durlacher Street, Geraldton WA 6530
Important Member Information
Members can participate in person, electronically or by appointing a proxy.
Full AGM details and supporting documents were emailed to all Members on 30 October 2026. Please check your inbox and junk email folder.
If you have not received your official notice, please contact us.
Unable to Attend? Appoint a Proxy
Ordinary Members who cannot attend the AGM may appoint another YSRC Ordinary Member or the Chairperson of the meeting to attend and vote on their behalf.
Please note:
An Ordinary Member can act as a proxy for only one other Ordinary Member.
The Chairperson may hold proxies for multiple Ordinary Members.
A proxy may vote on behalf of the Member they represent, in addition to their own vote if they are an Ordinary Member.
Proxy appointments can be withdrawn by the appointing Member before the meeting.
Proxy forms must be received by 4:00pm on Wednesday, 25 November 2026.
To avoid postal delays, we encourage Members to email or hand deliver their completed proxy forms.
To avoid postal delays, we encourage Members to email or hand deliver their completed proxy forms.
Email forms to admin@ysrc.com.au
Delivered to Reception at our Geraldton or Perth Office
Post posted to PO Box 552, Geraldton WA 6530
We look forward to welcoming our Members to this important annual meeting!
YSRC NAIDOC Community Celebration
What an incredible celebration of culture, connection and community at our 2026 YSRC NAIDOC Community Celebration on the Geraldton Foreshore!
Thousands of community members came together for a fantastic evening filled with cultural performances, live entertainment, family activities, delicious bush tucker and plenty of smiles!
Our community loved the traditional food offerings, including fresh crayfish, kangaroo stew and damper, along with the popular stalls showcasing bush medicines, native teas and traditional remedies from Dija – Native Products and Barna Boodja Connect.
From our talented performers and cultural activities to the many families enjoying the festivities, the atmosphere was truly special.
While strong winds prevented our much-anticipated Dreamtime drone show from taking flight, the beautiful Badimaya Dreamtime story of Gundawa was still shared through narration and music.
A heartfelt thank you to our Elders, Traditional Owners, community, performers, stallholders, volunteers and YSRC staff who helped bring this special celebration together.
Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors, Supporters and Community !
A huge thank you to our valued sponsors and community partners for their generous support in making this year's celebration possible
Our YSRC NAIDOC Community Celebration is a free community event, made possible through the support of the organisations and partners who get behind it. We proudly acknowledge and thank our 2026 supporters:
Lotterywest | Regional Events Scheme | PGS | Mitsui E&P Australia & Beach Energy | GBSC | DevelopmentWA | City of Greater Geraldton | Synergy | Trina Solar | Coral Insurance | Strike Energy | Empire Metals | ILUKA | AGIG | RSM | Integrated ICT | RSM | Mid West Ports
Their AMAZING support helps us bring our community together and create an event where Yamatji culture can be proudly celebrated and shared.
A very special thank you to our wonderful community supporters, Volunteer Marine Rescue Geraldton,Radio Mama, Kennards Hire, Total Toilets, and Champion Bay Surf Life Saving Club, for going above and beyond to help make our celebration such a success. Your generosity, kindness and willingness to lend a hand made such a difference, and we are incredibly grateful for the time, effort and support you contributed.
Events like this simply wouldn't be possible without the amazing people and organisations who get behind our community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of something so special and helping us create a memorable celebration for everyone to enjoy! ❤️💛🖤