We have established two groups to work with us to recognise the Noongar culture throughout the program and identify opportunities for Noongar peoples and businesses.
Noongar Advisory Group
Westport’s Noongar Advisory Group will provide cultural, spiritual, community, wellbeing, economic, social and environmental advice to the Westport Program and promote culture and Country. The
Advisory Group will also provide a conduit back to the wider Noongar community.
Following a briefing from Westport, 10 Members and 4 stakeholders were selected through a peer nomination process. Members and stakeholders include local Noongar community leaders and Elders, and representatives from the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council
To mark the start of our relationship with the Noongar Advisory Group, Westport took the group to the site of the proposed new terminal to hold a Smoking Ceremony led by Westport’s Aboriginal Engagement Officer and Noongar man Steven Jacobs.
“Smoking ceremonies are used as a gesture of goodwill and to bring people together,” Steven said. “Going further into this project it is very important to have cultural contact and connect.” Meeting quarterly, the Advisory group will ensure that traditional owners and the local Noongar community are involved in the Westport program from the planning stage.
Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Group
Members of the Aboriginal Community, including Aboriginal business owners and the Noongar Chamber of Commerce were invited to an introductory meeting,
where they elected the members to the Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Group.
The Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Group will use their commercial expertise and cultural knowledge to develop potential business, employment, procurement and training opportunities for the Noongar community.
Westport’s Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Group will then provide recommendations to the Noongar Advisory Group for endorsement. As the governing
body for Westport’s Aboriginal Opportunities program, the Noongar Advisory Group will then discuss and refine these recommendations before providing strategic advice to Westport.
