Aboriginal communities and an array of cultural heritage projects across Western Australia will benefit from a $200,000 State Government grants package.
The 2021 Preserving our Aboriginal Sites grants program has awarded grants to 10 not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations to undertake projects that will protect and preserve registered Aboriginal sites across the State.
The grants will also foster economic development in local communities by creating jobs and building local skills and training opportunities through the various projects and methodologies employed to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites.
This year, grants from $6,447 to $30,000 will help share cultural stories through interpretive signage designed by Aboriginal artists, install fencing to protect gravesites and protected areas, establish a Keeping Place for cultural materials and help preserve Aboriginal heritage through cultural mapping, site restorations and ongoing land management and maintenance.
Since 2014, $1.7 million has helped more than 60 Aboriginal groups to manage registered Aboriginal sites and preserve important parts of the State's history.
More information on the grants program is online at http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/preserving-aboriginal-sites-grants-program
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I congratulate these Aboriginal organisations for their success in identifying local projects that will preserve and protect their cultural heritage around the State.
"These grants reflect the McGowan Government's ongoing commitment to the economic and cultural development of Aboriginal communities and preservation of their ancient heritage.
"The grants help traditional owners and knowledge holders transfer Aboriginal culture to emerging generations, protect cultural sites and tell stories of their heritage. Local jobs and training benefits also serve to preserve and promote new economic opportunities and share Aboriginal culture with the Western Australian community."
2020-21 Preserving our Aboriginal Sites grant recipients
| Grant recipient | Project | Grant amount (ex GST) |
| Albany Aboriginal Corporation (Great Southern - Albany) |
Restoring Paddy Coyne Complex | $29,825 |
| Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation (Kimberley) |
Reconnecting and revitalising the heritage place in Bunuba Western Muwayi | $14,750 |
| Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Project (South West) |
Gnowangerup Spring Remediation | $20,000 |
| Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation (Mid-West - Meekatharra) |
Cultural mapping and preservation of Nichol Springs | $19,000 |
| Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre (Kimberley) |
Protecting Cultural Material in the Kimberley - Constructing a KALACC Keeping Place at Ludu | $30,000 |
| Kulyamba Aboriginal Corporation (Gascoyne - Carnarvon) |
Preserving Sites on Ullawarra, Glenforrie, Williambury and Mangaroon Pastoral Leases | $6,447 |
| Malgana Aboriginal Corporation (Mid-West/Murchison/Gascoyne) |
Interpretive signage program and rehabilitation of culturally significant sites by Aboriginal Rangers on Wilyibidi and Gathaagudu | $22,604 |
| Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (Pilbara) |
Ngarluma Heritage Site Fencing Project | $23,177 |
| Winun Ngari Aboriginal Corporation (Kimberley) |
Bungarun Leprosarium Cemetery Fencing | $23,099 |
| Yarramoup Aboriginal Corporation (Goldfields-Esperance - Ravensthorpe) |
Kukanarup and Wangup Road - Maintenance and Repairs Project | $7,582 |
