$10.5 Million Facility to Support Aboriginal Apprentices and Low-Income Workers
The Wunggu Maya Housing and Training Centre (the Centre) has officially opened in Roebourne. This $10.5 million project is the first of its kind in the Pilbara and was funded by the State Government's $200 million North West Aboriginal Housing Fund (NWAHF).
The construction was led by Yurra, a Yindjibarndi Nation (Yindjibarndi) owned company which provides culturally safe and affordable accommodation, and wraparound support services, for Aboriginal apprentices and low-income trade employees.
The construction was supported by the work of two Aboriginal apprentices, three Aboriginal trade workers and eight Aboriginal trade assistants, one of whom is now a tenant at Wunggu Maya.
The name 'Wunggu Maya' means "to give someone shelter for a while" and "place," reflecting the centre's mission to offer supportive, temporary housing and pathways to independence for local Aboriginal people.
The Centre features up to 10 transitional homes consisting of two-bedroom and one-bedroom dwellings, as well as an office and training space. These homes will offer a safe place for residents to live, develop skills, improve wellbeing, and work towards entering the private housing market.
The Centre will also deliver training, health, and employment support services to residents and the wider community, with a strong focus on cultural safety.
In addition to NWAHF support, which is facilitated by the Department of Housing and Works (DHW), Yindjibarndi secured a $557,875 Lotterywest grant to help fit out the facility.
The opening was held on 25 July 2025 and began with a Welcome to Country and speeches at Ganalili Park, followed by a tour of the Centre and a morning tea. Special guests included Housing and Works Minister John Carey,
Yindjibarndi Nation Elders Roseanne Mippy, Judith Coppin, Kevin Guiness, Maisie Indji, and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michele.
Yindjibarndi Chief Operations Officer, Paula Czarnecka, was the MC and shared the significance of the project.
"Wunggu Maya is much more than a housing development. It is a proud expression of Yindjibarndi self-determination developed by Yindjibarndi Nation and delivered by Yurra company proudly owned by the Yindjibarndi people."
DHW staff from the North West Aboriginal Housing Fund and the Pilbara regional team, Yindjibarndi and Yurra officers were also in attendance at the celebration, as well as local beneficiaries and community members.
Pictured:
Image 1 - Image of the Wunggu Maya Housing and Training centre.
Image 2 - Yindjibarndi Nation elders cut the ribbon at the opening of Wunggu Maya.
