‘It’s about legacy’: Roebuck Plains Station management celebrates return to Yawuru hands

The return of the management of a pastoral station on the outskirts of Broome to Yawuru traditionally owners was celebrated on Friday after gaining control in February of this year.

The celebration was held at Roebuck Plains Station where stakeholders, families, friends and workers came together to honour the final stage of the handover.

In February, the station was handed over from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation to Nyamba Buru Yawuru..

ILSC chief executive Joe Morrison was present on Friday for the celebration and was joined by Yawuru traditional owners and NBY chief executive Nini Mills.

After the official ceremony, horse rides, food, live music and a bouncy castle were enjoyed by families and friends.

“Today’s event is not about cattle and us owning or running a station, it’s about legacy, intergenerational strength, resilience, recognition, prosperity, culture and connection to everything that is meaningful to our lives,” Ms Mills said.

“I know that we have a real opportunity to pave strong pathways for our next generation and I know that our old people will be looking down on us today with so much pride and I thank them dearly for everything they have done for us.”

For the past eight years, ILSC has assisted in developing the stations business, cultural and environmental credentials, including management of Indigenous Protected Areas.

It also comes after the WA Government announcement of the expansion of the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy Program in the Kimberley, which NBY hopes will enable Roebuck Plains Station to focus on the capacity development of Indigenous people and enhance the commercial outcomes through knowledge of country and protection of the environment.