Celebrating Resilience and Leadership: A Memorable Experience at Kimberley AGMs

Article by Bianca Zahra, Head of Strategy and Corporate Services

---

Last week, I had the distinct honour of being invited by Peter Murray, CEO of KALACC, to attend the Annual General Meetings (AGMs) of several prominent Kimberley organisations: Kimberley Land Council, Kimberley Language Resource Centre, Kimberley Aboriginal Law And Culture Centre, Aarnja and Empowered Young Leaders.

These meetings took place in Gambanan on the Dampier Peninsula, and the theme for this year’s event was 'Tides change, Together we stand strong.' This theme was a powerful reminder of the resilience, hope, unity, and strength of Aboriginal communities.

The two-day event was a remarkable showcase of leadership and governance, and I was deeply moved by the vibrant spirit and dedication evident throughout. On Thursday, during the Regional Forum, we had the privilege of hearing from esteemed guest speakers including Patrick Dodson, Peter Yu, and Tremane Baxter-Edwards. Their contributions were both insightful and inspiring, underscoring the strength and commitment of the Kimberley community.

A particularly memorable highlight for me was the opportunity to engage directly with the Empowered Young Leaders Aboriginal Corporation (EYL). EYL was established in the Kimberley to ensure the next generation are informed and have a seat at the table when decisions are being made surrounding youth issues.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit and talk to several of the EYL inspiring members including the night prior to their AGM, giving me a wonderful connection to their aspirations across the Kimberly Cultural Blocs in which they will be working.
​
I am deeply grateful to all the presenters and to those who welcomed me so warmly on Country. The experience was a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts and achievements within the Kimberley region and the vital importance of continued support and collaboration.

Thank you to everyone involved for making this such a memorable and impactful occasion.