Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation to oversee Rottnest Island cultural services
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation will oversee cultural services at Rottnest Island, off Western Australia's coast. (ABC News: West Matteeussen)
In short:
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation has been awarded a contract to oversee cultural services at Rottnest Island, Wadjemup.
It comes after chaos at the corporation and a series of resignations led to an internal restructure.
Traditional custodians have welcomed the appointment and the chance for Whadjuk to move on from past dysfunction.
A strife-torn Aboriginal corporation crucial to heritage approvals across Perth has won a contract to oversee cultural services on Rottnest Island, Wadjemup, one of Western Australia's premier tourism destinations.
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) is one of six bodies created to help manage a $1.3 billion native title settlement, the largest in Australia, which formally recognised the Noongar people as the traditional owners of the south west of WA.
Many developments across Perth rely on the WAC for legally required cultural heritage assessments, including major projects such as Perth Airport's planned $2.5 billion upgrade.
Rottnest Island is home to a burial ground for Australia's largest number of deaths in custody. (ABC News: Benjamin Gubana)
But chaos at the corporation has stymied some projects, with several resignations at Whadjuk culminating in its operations being suspended in April, and prompting an internal restructure.
New chief executive Leon Ruri was appointed in June, and travelled to Rottnest Island on Friday to announce Whadjuk's new contract with the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), a big step as the corporation attempts to steady itself.
Whudjak Ballardong traditional owner Dulcie Donaldson (sitting) and Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation CEO Leon Ruri at Rottnest Island. (ABC News: Cason Ho)
"Today's announcement is very, very important for people to see the vision and the direction the corporation is going in," Mr Ruri said.
"This is a catalyst for people to come and work with us.
"We're in talks with the Perth Airport, and we've got conversations with Water Corp and Western Power as well, and a lot of other proponents."
Island's dark past
Rottnest Island, known for its quokkas and pristine beaches, has a lesser-known history of being home to a burial ground for Australia's largest number of deaths in custody.
Work is underway to redevelop the island's infamous prison, the Quod, where almost 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys were incarcerated between 1838 and 1931, of which more than 370 died on the island.
Conservation works to preserve the former prison are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, but discussions are still underway for what the site will be used for, according to the RIA.
Rottnest Island Authority chair Hamish Beck (second from left), Noongar elder George Hayden (second from right) and Leon Ruri (right) on Rottnest Island.
The authority says the memorialisation of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground will also begin construction sometime next year.
The cultural heritage monitoring for these developments have already been contracted, with Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation now contracted to manage any future infrastructure projects.
"For a long period of time the [Rottnest Island] Authority disregarded our Aboriginal history and hid it from the public," RIA chair Hamish Beck said.
Hamish Beck (right), with Noongar elder Stanley Headland (left), says the RIA has "properly acknowledged the Aboriginal connection to the island".
"We've properly acknowledged the Aboriginal connection to the island, and the number of men and boys that are buried beneath the sands."
Whadjuk Ballardong traditional custodian Dulcie Donaldson, who is on Whadjuk’s cultural advice committee, said it was a momentous day for Noongar people.
"It's a new step forward, and it'll be significant … we'll be able to look after the heritage side of things here on Rottnest Island,"she said.
Divisive appointment
Mr Ruri's appointment as the CEO of Whadjuk was divisive among parts of the Noongar community, with parties both for and against the Maori man leading an Aboriginal corporation.
"For myself, being an Indigenous man from another culture, I understand culture, and at times there's conversations where I can be the mediator,"he said.
"One of the concerns with the corporation has been not only our governance, but allegations of nepotism."
Whadjuk has experienced a revolving door of directors and staff amid the year of turmoil.
Mr Ruri says the announcement is a step in the right direction for the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation. (ABC News: Cason Ho)
The corporation will have its annual general meeting on Saturday where new board members will be appointed.
"There's a lot of passionate people. It makes this job even better, because it doesn't leave any room for me to operate without integrity," Mr Ruri said.
Ms Donaldson said she was hopeful Whadjuk could move on from its turmoil.
"Even though a lot of negative things happened, I still look beyond that … that's what we've got to do all the time, to refocus," she said.
"I think Whadjuk's heading in a good direction."
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