2022-2023 ANNUAL REPORT
ACKNOWLEDGING COUNTRY Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc acknowledges the Karajarri people as traditional owners of the land on which we live and work. We appreciate the welcome from past Karajarri Elders for the Nyangumarta, Juwaliny, Mangala and Yulparija people to settle on this land and create the community of Bidyadanga. We pay respect to all Elders, past, present, and emerging. ABOUT US Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community (La Grange) is located on the Kimberley coast in Western Australia, 1590 kilometres from the capital city of Perth and 180 kilometres from Broome. The recognised traditional owners of the land are the Karajarri people. Bidyadanga is the largest remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia with a population of approximately 850 residents and is home to the Karajarri, Juwalinny, Mangala, Nyungamarta, and Yulpartja language groups. Rich in history, art, and culture and with a developing economy, Bidyadanga has many community facilities and infrastructure to support community’s people. The word Bidyadanga comes from a word for “emu watering hole” (pijarta or bidyada). Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc (BACLG) was incorporated in 1975 as a not-for-profit organisation to administer government-funded programs such as the Day-care service, Municipal Services, and agencies of Centrelink and Australia Post, for the community. A Council of community representatives governs the organisation. The Council is comprised of two members of each of the five language groups that reside in Bidyadanga. Council elections are held every three years. 2 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community
TABLE OF CONTENT COUNCIL REPORT 4 Land Activation Project 4 Health Services Transition to Community Control 5 Pijarta Produce Partnership 5 Early Years Partnership 6 CEO’S REPORTS 7 BUSINESS AND INVESTMENTS 8 Bidyadanga Store 8 Broome Investment Property 9 Pijarta Partnership 9 COMMUNITY SERVICES 10 Municipal Services 10 HACC/Community Care 11 Community Resource Centre 12 Centrelink Agency 13 After School Program 14 Mentoring, Educate, and Training (MET) Project 14 Women’s Centre Activities 14 Art Centre 15 THE EARLY YEARS INITIATIVE 16 The Family Centre 16 The Men’s Centre 17 Kids Club 18 Community Hardship and Cultural Support 18
COUNCIL REPORT The Council is pleased to present this Annual Report to members for the 2022/2023 financial year. The work of the council is challenging and rewarding as well.While council members are elected by their language groups, the decisions are made for the whole community. NAME GROUP ELIGIBLE MEETINGS ATTENDED Eugene Bumba Juwaliny 11 11 Kathleen Bangu Juwaliny 11 8 William Bangu Juwaliny 11 11 Barbara White Karajarri 11 8 Moses James Karajarri 11 10 Maureen Yanawana Mangala 11 11 Agnes Walbidi Mangala 11 9 Eric Hunter Nyangumarta 11 3 Danika Hunter Nyangumarta 7 7 Andrew Minyardie Yulaprija 11 9 Sue Mandijalu Yulparija 11 8 TThere were many significant issues that the Council worked on during the 2022-2023 year. Some of these issues have been discussions that have been taking place over several years.
LAND ACTIVIATION PROJECT We have been working with Karajarri Traditional Lands Association (KTLA) and the State government on the Bidyadanga Land Activation Project (BLAP).This started with an MOU between Bidyadanga Community and KTLA, to prepare for future discussions.The MOU also showed how we can work together for the best interests of all people living in Bidyadanga now and in the future. The discussions have continued and will result a vision for the future of Bidyadanga that will support our people and families to develop and succeed. Council attended 7x three-day workshops and meetings during this year in addition to the monthly Council meetings. With the negotiations going ahead with BLAP, we are also working with the state government on the upgrade of internal roads, municipal services, and infrastructure upgrades for the community. Again, these discussions have been taking place over many years, so it is satisfying that we will soon see the results of these discussions. HEALTH SERVICES TRANSITION TO COMMUNITY CONTROL We are continuing to work with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) on the transition to community control of the Bidyadanga Health Service.The transition is heading toward the end with BACLGI taking over from KAMS in July 2024. We have been working closely with KAMS on developing governance understanding for the delivery of health services. As our knowledge grows, we are confident that we will be wellplaced to take this important step. The discussion around the construction of a new clinic has progressed with KAMS being successful in obtaining funding from the Commonwealth government. Planning has commenced with a site selected that is suitable to the community as it is next to the current site. Next will be building plans to fit with the site. Community consultation will continue as the building plans are developed. Clinic staff will have significant role to play around this planning as they are in the best position to understand how the building will work. Annual Report 2022/23 | 5
PIJARTA PRODUCE PARTNERSHIP Pijarta Produce, the partnership with Shamrock Gardens which commenced 2021, is continuing to develop. Employment opportunities for our people are available along with training opportunities in the agriculture sector.This is a very exciting project as the farm will grow produce that will be sold all around the state, nation and potentially internationally as well. These employment opportunities will also provide a range of career pathways in the agriculture industry. And the location of the farm allows people to continue to live in Bidyadanga, commuting each day. EARLY YEARS PARTNERSHIP Our work with the state government and Minderoo Foundation with the Early Years Partnership (EYP) commenced in November 2021.This is a long-term project that aims to help communities target issues that are important in early childhood development. The vision is a future where every child has the opportunity and confidence to flourish.The mission is learning together with communities to design and implement solutions that improve development, health and learning of children up to the age of 4 and create lasting change. Children, families, and communities are the focus and listening to the wisdom, strengths and knowledge that exists within these groups, will direct efforts to achieve outcomes. In 22/23, we have seen progress with the establishment of the Family Centre and start of the development of a Men’s Centre.The working group, which is led by BACLGI staff and brings together essential services delivering in the community has been developing the Bidyadanga Early Years Community Plan (Yija Tili – True Sparks). This plan has been developed with direct input from community members and support from the working group.The plan will provide the strategic direction for this project going forward. There are employment opportunities as part of this project as well, with community connectors working with children and families. In our next report, we will be managing health services, finalising tenure and the activation of land in the community, and realising upgrades in infrastructure, in addition to other exciting opportunities in the early stages of development. We look forward to reporting the successes and updates to come in the next year. 6 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community
CEO’S REPORT The 2022-2023 year included many challenges and celebrations. This Annual Report highlights the achievements made during the 2022/2023 financial year. I would like to acknowledge our hard-working, dedicated staff who contribute to the successful outcomes that took place in this year. I would like to thank Clare (Louise) McLean our Community Services Manager, Francis Fernandez our Community Capacity Building Officer, in the Admin Office we have Latoya Thomas, Rhiannon McKenzie and Annie Brown, along with Julia and Scott Dyball our Store Managers, for their leadership and support in their areas of responsibility. Annual Report 2022/23 | 7
BUSINESS AND INVESTMENTS BIDYADANGA STORE With Broome, the closest town 360kms there and back, the Bidyadanga Store ensures that there is a wide range grocery and household items for sale. While we are a small business, pricing on healthy foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, bottled water, bread and milk is comparable to Broome pricing. The store operates well because our staff work hard to ensure that the store opens each day, there is stock on the shelves, and it is clean and tidy. I would like to acknowledge Marlene Bullen, Jason Dean, Holly Clancy, Dwayne Spriggs, Tanya Walbidi, and many others who have worked at the shop during the 22/23 year. The Takeaway food outlet sells a variety of healthy and fast food. Janelle Mussared has been the Takeaway Coordinator since 2015, which is a great achievement. Our other long-serving employee at the store, Sharna Bumba, finished up this year. We appreciate the dedication Sharna showed over the 20 years of employment with BACLGI at HACC/Community Care and then at the store. 8 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community
BROOME INVESTMENT PROPERTY The community benefits from ownership of several residential and commercial properties in Broome. This investment portfolio underpins the financial stability of the organisation to ensure that future generations will have access to the services that are provided by BACLG Inc. Like much of Australia, the rental property market in Broome experienced high demand due to a lack of stock during 22/23, so we have seen rental income rise after a decline in the last 6 years.This does not seem to be slowing down. This year we started preparing the vacant land on Stewart Street in Broome by clearing the old Sober-Up Centre building. PIJARTA PARTNERSHIP The partnership with Shamrock Gardens is moving into the second year of production. While the sweet potato crop was not successful, the watermelon and pumpkin crops that have followed have seen better results. We expect that crops that will be ready for harvest from October to December 23, will be the most successful to date. This partnership has resulted in employment opportunities with 14 community members on the payroll during 2022/2023. Annual Report 2022/23 | 9
10 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community COMMUNITY SERVICES MUNICIPAL SERVICES The Municipal Services program is an essential service the success of which is largely about what we don’t see. We receive compliments all year from visitors who comment on how tidy and well maintained our community is.This is due to the efforts of the staff working in our Municipal Services program. Collection of rubbish, maintenance of roads and equipment, maintenance of the airstrip and maintenance of public gardens and grass, are included in the duties of this team. When this program works well, the community works well. This program has been one of the core services provided by BACLGI and our team continue to acquire new skills and build on existing strengths. This year the team completed CERT III in Rural Operations, which is evident with the transformation of the oval and landscaping at the Family Centre. Our MUNS team work outdoors in all weather conditions.The work is hard and dirty, but they do their best to make the community better. Graham Lynn, Adam Billycan, Eugene Bumba, Moses Nardada, Ashley Balbal, Graydon Bangu, Jimmarlus Jabada, Mark Yeeda and Regino Santos.They are an inspiration to the whole community.
HACC/COMMUNITY CARE Bidyadanga Community Care team have worked tirelessly supporting our elders in the community. Meals on Wheels have been delivered, daily welfare checks are in place, support with transport, washing and social activities have been offered.This year they held Elders Olympics, attended camps, fishing trips, participated in daytrips on country and activities at the Women’s Centre, Family Centre, and Mens Centre. Bradley Coyne, Naomi Tumbler and Rob Pimblett were joined by Lisa Britton as Coordinator this year. They are doing a magnificent job supporting and advocating for our clients. The Community Care Centre is supported by several stakeholders including: • Community Support Workers from Kimberley Aged Care Services (KACS) once a month • Remote Care Coordination from KACS once a month • Continence nurse Annual Report 2022/23 | 11
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE The CRC provides access to computers and printers for community members to access government services, banking, and other online services. There are many visiting agencies running services and programs from the Community Resource Centre including The Department of Transport, Cyrenian House, Boab Health and Broome Circle.These services have continued to run from the CRC during the year. The CRC regularly host individual and group video conferencing meetings. We liaise with the hosting agency to connect the video call and print all documentation required by the participants. Many organisations regularly use this service including indigenous ranger groups, land councils’ lawyers, financial support and training officers, fitness instructors and mental health councillors. The centre hosts Broome Circle services that provide support for community members in financial stress in areas such as accessing superannuation, negotiating on overdue bills, and budgeting.This vital service also acts to advocate and represent individuals with lending institutions, private and government. Men’s Outreach delivered their Change ‘Em Ways program, a successful program that supports men and families to build strong, healthy relationships. Highlights from this year include: • Supporting with elections at the local, state, and national level • Hosting four service provider meetings • Hosting school engagement meetings • Supporting community members with funeral booklets • Running Kids Club after school • Hosting the Commonwealth Bank remote visit • Hosting the KEEP (Kimberley Education Excellence Program) with Wunan Foundation • Hosting the Bidyadanga Elder Abuse Consultation Day.
CENTRELINK AGENCY Centrelink Agency provides a locally based Centrelink Officer allowing community members to obtain support in dealing with services in Bidyadanga. Paula Grey is our long-serving staff member, who has been supporting community members with their Centrelink enquiries and obligations for many, many years. These are the number of supports Paula has provided for the year in the most popular services. Centrelink 2410 Assist with Forms Completion 130 Refer to Services Australia Smart 150 Lodge Form/ Document 200 Respond to General Enquiry 2050 Assist with use of Services Australia Equipment 655 Assist Customer with self service 2260 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Youth Activities included collaborations with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Kullarri Regional Indigenous Communities, Police, Royal Life Saving WA, Department of Communities, Garnduwa and La Grange Remote Community School. Some of the highlights include: • Beach activities • Pool activities • Healthy food promotion • Basketball competitions • Discos/Pool Parties • Solid fit activities MENTORING, EDUCATE AND TRAINING (MET) PROJECT The intent is to deliver a range of support services to families in Bidyadanga with school aged children that aims to improve attendance, improve retention of students at high school level and support individuals to transition from schooling to employment.There is also a Family Support element to the project.This involves a series of workshops and mentoring programs around empowerment, life skills and parenting, family and domestic violence, young mums support and leadership. The Women’s Centre is used as an ideal venue to deliver a range of activities and support, with Ingrid Elmitt and Venetta Yanawana. Annual Report 2022/23 | 13
WOMEN’S CENTRE The Women’s Centre is an important place for women in the community to access services as well as a place that supports SEWB. The Women’s Centre provides culturally safe access to service providers and information, a place for respite, as well as a space where women can go to engage in arts and craft activities or to just go and yarn with other women. The Women’s Centre runs daily activities for women to participate in as well as providing support for families and integrating some sessions with the local high school girls. The Orange Sky laundry facility has been well used this year with 147 shifts and 1461 loads of washing. Highlights this year include: • Camera Story • Pamper days. • Health promotion days (Cancer Council, Breast screen WA, World No Tobacco Day) • Community Markets • Evening information sessions/Dinners • Fishing outings • International Women’s Day • Harmony Day • RUOK Day • World Elder Abuse Day • World Knitting Day morning tea • Women’s Wellness on country camps • Product development/social enterprise workshops • Protective Behaviours workshop • FDV Consultation • Mental Health First Aid course • Hosted visit from Dame Quentin Bryce and the Girls from Oz with morning tea • Safe4Kids workshop • Cyrenian House provided morning tea for International Women’s Day. • Supporting “Sorry Camp”
ART CENTRE It has been a big year for Bidyadanga Artists, lots of work has been done focusing on art centre processes, artist, and materials development. We have started using Stories Art Money (SAM) data base, which is an online database to catalogue artwork, promote artists and artwork, manage sales and track artists money. Eventually, SAM will help link the art centre to a website and many other functions. A best practice Artist agreement is being developed ensuring that the operations of the centre are clear to all participating artists. Artists have been learning about materials development including stretching, priming and paint mixing with professional quality artist materials.This is helping to support the art centre on its journey to becoming a successful and viable creative arts space. Member artists that are in Broome for dialysis are also being supported to continue their practice with Bidyadanga Artists signing up to be one of the partnering art centres involved in Broome CIRCLE’s Artists Away from Home program. Some of the highlights for this year include: • Artist Yikartu Bumba won the overall 2022 Shinju Acquisitive Art award with several other artists also submitting some wonderful works to be exhibited in the show. • 3 Artists travelled to Katherine in the NT to attend the ANKA Regional Conference. ANKA is the peak body for Kimberley and Top End art centres. • Artists participated in materials development and documentation workshops with Broome CIRCLE. • Held a successful Christmas Market in Bidyadanga with many sales being made, just in time for Christmas. • Participation in the Broome Fringe festival with an exhibition and sale being held at Redbill Studio and Gallery.This was an incredibly successful event with artists in attendance for sales and painting demonstrations. Artists also attended the Artist Open Studios, a great professional development opportunity. • Attending the Broome CIRCLE Christmas Markets with artists taking sales and learning point of sale skills. • Artists had their work accepted into the 2023 Revealed Emerging Artists Exhibition at the Fremantle Art Centre, three artists travelling for the exhibition, with market and other professional development opportunities. • Artists exhibited work as part of the Art Above the 26th Exhibition held at the Broome Civic Centre.The exhibition achieved great attendance, exposure and sales for Bidyadanga Artists. One highlight to this exhibition was the artists getting to meet the Prime Minister who was in attendance. Annual Report 2022/23 | 15
EARLY YEARS PARTNERSHIP THE FAMILY CENTRE This project has seen good growth since November 2021.The project is led by BACLGI and involves staff from Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation (KRCIC), La Grange Remote Community School, Bidyadanga Clinic, WAPOL, the Department of Communities and Local Community Representatives coming together as a Local Working Group to discuss improving outcomes for children 0-4 and their families. We saw the opening of the Family Centre in July 2022. Following the opening we continued consultation on an Early Years Community Plan, titled Yija Tili (meaning True Sparks) which has guided the development of the program this year. We have conducted some terrific programs and supported lots of families. Highlights this year include: • Creating a culturally safe space for families to attend and receive assistance. • Hosting two gardening workshops, thanks to Incredible Edible Broome, while developing the centre’s gardens. • Hosting parent catchups/ education sessions. This was in the form of cooking classes, playgroups, and parenting courses. • Co-design and implement strategies to increase the number of children seen at child health checks. • Support attendance at school by supporting families. • Mentoring and supporting high school students. • Father’s activities. • Coordinating and supporting visiting service providers including Dieticians, and the Allied Heath team. • Expecting mum’s and mum’s relaxation day. • One on one counselling and support. • Banking and financial support. 16 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community
THE MEN’S CENTRE The Bidyadanga Men’s Centre was developed from a need identified in a Local Working Group meeting. It was noted that men needed a culturally safe space to engage in daily activities, receive respite and be linked discretely to health and wellbeing professionals. Building a community of men who support and learn from each other has been one of the great success stories for BACLGI this year. Highlights this year include: • Creating a culturally safe space for men to visit daily to have a cup of tea, a chat and discretely be linked to required services. • Hosting a Men’s On-Country camp at Shell Place.This was supported by BACLGI, Karajarri Rangers, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, WA Country Health Services, Men’s Outreach Services, Cyrenian House, WAPOL, Broome Circle and Department of Communities. • Hosting an Aboriginal Mental First Aid Course with the National Wellness Alliance and graduating several participants. • Started renovating the inside and developing the outside of the centre to make it purposebuilt for engagement activities. Annual Report 2022/23 | 17
18 | Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community KIDS CLUB The Kid’s Club is run in partnership with KRCIC, WAPOL, Bidyadanga Community Pool, Garnduwa and other visiting service providers. We have had many highlights this year including: • Trivia night • Beach days • Kids Club at CRC • Kimberley Theatre Sandfly Circus residence • Breakfast Club (July to December) • Movie nights • Special reading day • Water polo and volleyball • Book club, crafts, and outdoor games • Pool discos COMMUNITY HARDSHIP AND CULTURAL SUPPORT BACLGI provides direct support to our community through the provision of hardship power every month, food hampers, and cultural support with weekly voucher for sorry camp and assistance in producing funeral booklets. In the 22/23 financial year, we provided more 1700 vouchers for power and 700 food hampers. There were also 74 weekly vouchers for sorry camp.
Annual Report 2022/23 | 19 FINANCIAL SUMMARY The Council is pleased to provide a summary of the audited financials for 2022/2023. Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc (BACLGI) recorded a surplus of $240,030 for the 2022/2023 financial year, compared to a deficit of ($96,238) in 2021/2022. For BACLGI and controlled entities: STORE SALES $5,374,925 GRANTS $1,706,495 OTHER INCOME $1,082,690 TOTAL REVENUE $8,164,110 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSE $2,161,758 COST OF SALES $3,718,707 OTHER EXPENSES $2,043,615 TOTAL EXPENDITURE $7,924,080 TOTAL ASSETS $12,220,639 TOTAL EQUITY $10,902,422 TOTAL LIABILITIES $1,318,217
E P F A W enquiries@baclg.org.au 08 9192 4885 08 9192 4988 Bidyadanga Road, Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community www.bidyadanga.org.au
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