Spotlight on

An idea to build an inclusive cricket carnival sparked a corporation’s journey to support overall community wellbeing through sport. The carnival was set up to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages together: to have fun, be healthy and be together, in honour of living legend, Stan Alberts. Ten years on, and it has become a feeder to professional leagues and a networking opportunity for sporting organisations as teams of under 7s up to Masters converge on the town of Rockhampton in Queensland.

Based in Alice Springs, NT, BushMob Aboriginal Corporation is a safe and supportive home for young people experiencing trauma. This might be from exposure to substance abuse or violence, or created through mental health, structural or legal barriers. 

BushMob’s programs help young people with life skills like work readiness, harm minimisation, counselling and positive community integration. Having a strong local team is key to keeping young people connected with these services.

Ella Noah Bancroft is the CEO Founder and a Director of The Returning. She explains, ‘We founded The Returning with a deep desire to bring people back into right relationship with Country, community and self and we have seen the healing that occurs by bringing humans back to the natural world to immerse in the waters, sit on Country and be in community.’ 

The Returning incorporated with ORIC in 2021.

From grassroots beginnings as a fishing advocacy group, Joonga Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation has become a thriving organisation. It’s providing local jobs in land and sea management on projects that care for Country on the NSW south coast.

Walbunja man Wally Stewart and a board of Yuin Traditional Owners are taking opportunities for Joonga to go even further. But handling the fast and large growth has been a challenge. Strong relationships and constant communication have been key to keeping up with the speed of expansion and project delivery. 

As the group played From Little Things Big Things Grow, an idea was raised to reform the Nala Boodja Eco Clan Aboriginal Corporation (Nala Boodja). The corporation would bring people together going forwards – to share songlines, facilitate storytelling and create wellbeing programs. 

On Yolŋu Country, in East Arnhem land in the NT, a community-led initiative is connecting generations and celebrating culture through innovative new media projects. 

Goŋ Wanhurr Indigenous Corporation has a focus on making stronger and more sustainable Homelands and connecting them with the world. Mixed media and performance arts are being used as storytelling avenues for Yolŋu culture. 

The Ngarigo Toomaroombah Kunama Namadgi Indigenous Corporation is forging bonds with businesses and local community in the Snowy Mountains area of New South Wales. Their goal is to maintain, nurture and share Ngarigo culture, and keep Country not just alive, but flourishing.  

Since 1989, Jungarni-Jutiya Indigenous Corporation has supported the safety and wellbeing of families who live in remote parts of northeast WA. The name ‘Jungarni-Jutiya’ means ‘straight path’ in Jaru language – Jaru and Kija peoples are the Traditional Owners of the surrounding lands.