Competition Time
Time to get creative.
Joombarn-buru Aboriginal Corporation wants a logo designs from members of the Joombarn-Buru native title holders ONLY. This is your chance to win $1,000.
Send your entries to admin@kred.org.au
Job Opportunity: Executive Officer
The Bardi and Jawi Niimidiman Aboriginal Corporation (the PBC) is looking for an Executive Officer with previous experience at an executive level or a proven leader looking to step up into an executive role. The role will be hosted by KRED and will be reporting to the PBC.
In the role you can expect to establish and oversee the necessary administrative, strategic and governance processes that will position the organisation to thrive. The ideal candidate will possess high level communication and interpersonal skills, have demonstrated business management experience and have experience in developing and reviewing policy and services.
Applications for the position close at 5pm (AWST) on the 11th January 2022. For more information about the role and to apply via Seek click here.
KRED’s CEO takes leave of absence to consult with Traditional Owners for Rio
Wayne Bergmann. Photo by Daniel Linnet.
After ten years at the helm of KRED Enterprises, one of the most successful Aboriginal business foundations in the Kimberley, Wayne Bergmann is taking a leave of absence to work with Rio Tinto on establishing an Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG).
Mr Bergmann will consult with Traditional Owners and other Indigenous leaders on the IAG proposal, with the group’s formation aiming to ensure the company better incorporates Traditional Owners’ views and concerns into its operations.
Mr Bergmann’s strong cultural values and ability to navigate within a western economic framework, sets him in good stead for success in the role.
KRED’s chairperson, Peter Murray, says although the appointment is only short-term, Mr Bergmann will still be missed.
‘Wayne is a mentor; he’s a good listener and he supports and looks after his team—no matter what age group. Once he invests in you, it doesn’t stop ... I’ve found him really supportive in my role, particularly in helping grow me as a leader. A lot of his explanations about issues are scenario-based, from things that have happened, or will happened. So, he helps you understand those high-level politics. He’s also a strong cultural man, who practised law and culture at a young age, and never let it go.’
Mr Murray says he’ll bring this cultural understanding into his new work with Rio Tinto, and that the job is a good opportunity for Mr Bergmann to build on his capacity and skills. Likewise, Mr Murray is looking forward to the challenge for KRED and for the board.
‘All of the staff will be working together and multi-tasking to deliver different parts of what Wayne normally does. It’s a good challenge and test for us, on how to keep KRED moving forward in a positive direction. We’re well-prepared to cover things during Wayne’s leave of absence.’
Over the last ten years, Mr Bergmann has made a huge contribution to the local Kimberley community and economy. Under his leadership, $9.5 million has flowed into the local economy through pro bono work and $4.6 million has been made in direct payments to Traditional Owners for their work.
Mr Bergmann has overseen the negotiation of several best practice agreements, including the Browns Range Project Co-existence Agreement between Northern Minerals and Jaru Traditional Owners, and the Ungani Project Co-existence Agreement. Both agreements balance adequate compensation and scope for Indigenous economic development, with comprehensive environmental and cultural heritage protection.
He’s also been the driving force behind the development of the Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company, an Aboriginal-owned cattle venture consisting of four key pastoral properties.
KRED’s board and staff would like to thank Wayne for his commitment to improving the economic well- being of Kimberley Traditional Owners and to wish him the best for this new challenge.
For further queries please contact KRED’s chairperson, Peter Murray, on 0418 961 951, or KRED’s acting CEO, Jodie Pincini, on 0438 122 759 or jodie@kred.org.au.
Time for McGowan Government to step up on land tenure and Native Title
The State continues to diminish the value of Native Title determinations by not allowing Aboriginal landowners to use their lands for economic benefit. We are stuck in the horrible twilight of neglect and dependency on a system that doesn’t seem to care. It is time for McGowan Government to step up on land tenure and Native Title. Australians are very sympathetic to Aboriginal people and want to see the gulf of disadvantage closed. The door is open for the McGowan Government not to squander this opportunity - Aboriginal people are expecting leadership, not more bureaucracy and obfuscation. This article by Wayne Bergmann, a Nyikina Traditional Owner and CEO of KRED Enterprises, explores the past and the opportunities available - you can read more by clicking the link below.
NINGALI LAWFORD-WOLF — TRIBUTE
Statement by Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company and KRED Enterprise Charitable Trust.
On behalf of our members, directors and staff we would like to pay tribute to Ningali Lawford-Wolf.
There are few people you meet in life that move beyond being a role model or a leader and become a person of inspiration. A person with the attributes and character that you would be proud to have your son or daughter display.
Ningali Lawford-Wolf is one of those rare people.
A strong woman, strong in her culture and strong in herself, standing for justice for her people.
And funny.
She was an actor, entertainer, mother, grandmother, sister, wife, daughter, mentor, spokesperson and business woman who broke down barriers and represented Aboriginal people as smart, creative people that can rise to the challenges that life presents.
She was also serious and smart.
Born at Christmas Creek, Ningali grew up not speaking English but she understood her country. She was a strong believer in working to bring all Aboriginal people together with a common purpose, for the good of us all. She understood that to make changes for the better we all need to contribute, and that we cannot rely on government to solve our problems - we must address these ourselves.
Through her acting and through her relationships around the world she raised the profile of Aboriginal people. In the Kimberley she dedicated herself to improving the lives of this generation and those that will follow.
She wanted to honour her brother’s vision for Bohemia Downs, to return Aboriginal people to the centre of the pastoral industry, to re-establish jobs, training and dignity.
Ningali was also a realist.
She knew one person could not achieve the outcomes required and that we all need to do some heavy lifting. She knew it would not be an easy task and it would take a long term commitment, a commitment she readily made. She also recognised that one station was not enough in the modern pastoral world.
As a Director of KAPCO she pursued her dream of seeing Aboriginal Pastoral workers on Aboriginal Pastoral Stations become the backbone of the regional economy. She began to realise the dream of developing her traditional land on Bohemia station, as part of KAPCO Group of properties, seeing young people getting jobs, being trained and gaining a stronger connection to their country.
Ningali took up the challenge of being a “black fella” and became an inspiration to a generation. Never faltering in her commitment - from the day she led the protest to bring attention to her people being locked out of their country by the station owner until the day she died, on foreign soil, educating the world about our story.
She believed we need to create hope and opportunity, and take responsibility ourselves for making this difference.
We stand proud. We will strive to create hope in her honour and will continue to miss Ningali dearly.