In this edition...
There is a big focus of people - stories, knowledge, connections to be made.
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Banjima Land Rehabilitation Project celebrated
#News
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Photo courtesy of BHP, Paul Lethbridge (front centre) and Zandra Parker (far left) attending the BHP HSEC Awards in Melbourne in February.
Congratulations to the past, present and future Banjima trainees of the Banjima Land Rehabilitation Partnership with BHP who are creating a legacy for the future on Country.
The popular and highly successful project took out the Social Value – Excellence Award at the BHP HSEC Awards. Banjima were represented by Paul Lethbridge and Zandra Parker who travelled to Melbourne for the awards night.
The Banjima Land Rehabilitation Partnership at Yandi Mine engages Banjima People in land rehabilitation activities while providing training and employment opportunities.
BHP’s HSEC project team collaborated with the Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) to develop the program.
BHP said the program has helped them to have conversations and learnings around land rehabilitation and associated activities, and do things differently. It also demonstrates their genuine commitment to meaningful engagement with the Banjima People.
Individuals who are part of the program are provided training and employment, opportunities to build business capacity; and allows Banjima people to have an ongoing connection to Country while building a legacy for future trainees and the Banjima community.
The partnership has the potential to be replicated not only at other mines, but also for other activities.
Below are some recent photos of the program at work at Yandi.
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BNTAC appoints Ed Armstrong as CEO
#News #Notice
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The BNTAC Board has appointed of Mr Ed Armstrong as Chief Executive Officer.
Ed has more than 20 years of senior executive experience in the indigenous, public, and private sectors and across a diverse range of commercial, financial, and operational activities.
“This is an exciting opportunity and a privilege to be appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of BNTAC. I look forward to working with the Banjima community and the Board to deliver on the BNTAC strategic plan and vision,” Ed said.
He joins BNTAC from the position of Chief Executive Officer, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) where he was responsible for the successful implementation of the largest and most comprehensive Native Title Settlement in Australian history, valued at $1.3 billion.
Ed is passionate about the protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. He was a key stakeholder in developing and delivering the "Protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage" campaign that strongly advocated against the WA Government's new Cultural Heritage Act.
As a values-based and result-driven leader, Ed is skilled in strategic planning, performance improvement, change management and driving economic development.
Ed commences with BNTAC on Monday 3 April 2023 and will be out and about to meet BNTAC Members across the coming months.
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BNTAC Roadshows are coming back!
#Notice
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BNTAC ROADSHOWS are coming back!
BNTAC is pleased to announce that another round of Roadshows will be happening in April and May. These visits will include the chance for members to meet and mingle with CEO Ed Armstrong, receive some updates, and importantly, share what is important to you.
There will be a FREE feed, activities for the kids and Members will receive a $100 food card as a thank you for participating.
We can advise locations to be visited include:
- Perth - Saturday, 29 April at 11:00am - 2:00pm at Rivervale Community Centre (100 Gerring Court, Rivervale)
- Tom Price - Friday, 5 May at 11:00am - 2:00pm at BNTAC Tom Price Office (1 Central Road, Tom Price)
- Geraldton - Monday, 8 May at 11:00am - 2:00pm at Batavia Coast Conference Centre (25 Cathedral Ave, Geraldton)
- Port Hedland - Saturday, 13 May at 11:00am - 2:00pm at Colin Matheson Pavilion (17 Tinder St. Port Hedland)
- Roebourne - Sunday, 14 May at 11:00am - 2:00 at Ngurin Cultural Centre (NYFL) (42 Roe St, Roebourne)
- Onslow - Friday, 19 May at 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Onslow Multi-Purpose Centre (Corner McGrath Av & Hooley St, Onslow)
To register your attendance or ask any questions you may have contact Russell Hall –
Email: Russell.Hall@bntac.org.au or call 08 9216 9888
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Introducing - Charles Barclay, Payroll Officer
“It is having conversations with Members such as those I’ve had with Maitland Parker and Brian Tucker that brings to the forefront what this organisation is about, its purpose and more,”: Charles Barclay.
It is the people we work for that keep it his work ‘real’ for Charles, as Payroll Officer at BNTAC.
“One can lose sight of Banjima’s vision when bogged down with the everyday routine of work – I believe these discussions are important.”
Have a discussion with Charles and you will find there is a great deal of ‘realness’ and life learned knowledge to be shared.
Some of us have witnessed his awesome golf swing, but along with conversations that gather knowledge he is also an avid reader, keen traveller and political science graduate. So how did he end up at BNTAC?
Born in Sydney, Charles’ family’s move to New Zealand when he was 10 years old opened up whole new experience, and perhaps even paved his way into working with different first nations people around the world.
"I have worked for not-for-profit and public sector organisations iwi organisations (Māori Tribal organisations) in governance support as well as finance roles,” he said.
We dug a little more on this bit of information Charles shared, asking, what does he find similar and different between new Zealand’s systems and Māori corporations compared to what he has observed so far for Australia’s system.
“Initially, I thought Native Title would not be that dissimilar to Maori iwi organisations, but there are big differences (quantum of what beneficiaries get for one), but also determinations to what it means to own land.
“The Treaty of Waitangi and settlements act has solidified what it means to have agency over one’s traditional resources, as compared to Native Title which is much weaker. Industries in which Iwi organisations operate in are also very different to Australia, whereby Native Title organisations are mostly engaged in the mining compared to Maori iwi organisations that are engaged in forestry, commercial fishing, tourism, etc.
“I have learnt that making comparisons between Maoris and Aboriginal is hopeless, because the Indigenous history of New Zealand compared to Australia is very different. Maori have had many more decades than Aboriginal Australians to grow their iwi organisations, Aboriginal Australians are not so lucky.”
For Charles, bringing it back people, and the difference he can make for individuals he meets and holds a responsibility for in his job, is what counts.
“Finance assists in financial compliance, and in addition, ensuring people are paid promptly, thereby helping Banjima people realise their financial aspirations and goals.
"Working for an organisation whose purpose is to underwrite social programmes that bring about socio-cultural dividends to Banjima is hugely fulfilling.”
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BNTAC's Board of Directors - Meeting outtakes
#News #Notice
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2022 was a year of review and reset for the BNTAC Board of Directors that provided us with an opportunity to define how 2023 could commence.
The sum of a Board Governance Review, conversations at the Roadshows and November AGM highlighted that Members are interested in greater connection with their Board of Directors, including understanding their function and role for BNTAC.
The Board will be keeping Members updated on the key decisions made at their monthly Board meetings.
Here is a snapshot of key outtakes from the Board’s meetings over the last three (3) months:
January 2023
- Recruitment process for a substantive CEO commenced.
- Equity Trustees who purchased AET in 2022, introduced themselves to the Board as the new owners of AET and talked about their vision.
- BNTAC Board agreed to extend the current term of AET as Trustee for another 12 months. This takes the Trustee’s term through to June 2024.
- A discussion was held about the need to establish a Wittenoom Strategy document.
February 2023
- Board agreed to appoint Mr Ed Armstrong as the new CEO of BNTAC, with his term to commence on 3 April 2023.
- Decision made for Trustee Expression of Interest (EOI) process to commence beginning of calendar year 2024.
- Board agreed to proceed with a BNTAC driven Karijini Experience for 2023. A sub-committee was formed to support this initiative.
March
- The Board decided to engage an external consultant to assist them in the provision of leadership coaching.
It is important that Members feel they can approach their Directors to raise items for discussion. If you would like to submit a topic for discussion at future meetings, you can register your interest by email to – admin@bntac.org.au
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BNTAC Staff changes to know
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Photo - BNTAC Staff gather for Harmony week lunch
It’s been a busy time for staffing at BNTAC with some internal movement happening for positions to ensure BNTAC Members are well supported.
We are pleased to let you know the Paige Woods is now Member Service (MS) Team Leader and Revis Hicks is now Senior MS Officer.
Having spent a period assisting the MS Team during a busy period, Russell Hall has returned to his Member Engagement Officer role full time and is busy planning Roadshows and other activities to boost conversations and connection between BNTAC Staff and Members.
Suzanne Forde is now Member Application Administration Officer. Suzanne has been a key part of the MS Team, all the while supporting membership governance. Now she can assist you with any questions you have on your membership with BNTAC, full time.
Jess Watson you will know from many AGMs and Membership Governance. Jess has now moved from her role as Executive Service Officer to become part of the Native Title Operations Team as Project Officer Rio Tinto
Jenna Callinan has stepped into the Executive Services Officer position to support the CEO, Board, and Office Management.
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Member Service Team Outreach trips
#News
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BNTAC’s Member Service Team will be hitting the road next month with the start of a series of regional visits to spend time assisting BNTAC Members.
Senior MS Officer Revis Hicks, and MS Officer April Curley will be heading to Karratha as their first stop on 18 and 19 April 2023.
Member Services Team Leader Paige Woods said Revis and April are looking forward to getting back to the warm weather and being on country,
“It’s really important to us to be able to help all BNTAC Members with their applications and for us to be present in the community to find out what more BNTAC can do to help our membership in the Pilbara,” Paige said.
“While in Karratha the MS staff will be working out of the IBN Office to assist members, they will also be travelling out to Roebourne and Wickham while up there.
“Members can also contact the Member Service staff mobile on 0482968211 to set up a meeting date and time if they can’t make it to the Karratha IBN Office.”
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Remember to check out the BNTAC Facebook Page!
#News #Opportunities
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Jobs and Education Opportunities
#Opportunities
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Don't forget to look at our opportunities page, which has more information on job openings, traineeships, and educational opportunities around WA.
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BNTAC acknowledges the Banjima Elders, past, present, and emerging. BNTAC also acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Perth and Tom Price offices are located, the Whadjuk Noongar People and the Eastern Guruma People, respectively.
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