On Monday, 29 March 2021, the directors of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation (SWALSC) came together with representatives of the WA Government and Perpetual Trustees to sign the deed for the Noongar Boodja Trust.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia, at Government House and Noongar elders who have committed decades of their lives’ work to the pursuit of justice for the Noongar community.
During the ceremony, the settlor for the trust deed, Mr Bill Lawrie; the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC; and SWALSC representatives Vanessa Kickett and Barry Winmar signed the trust deed and security deed documents.
The signing of the trust deed documents officially appoints Perpetual Trustees as the trustee for the Noongar Boodja Trust and signifies the trust effective date, or the date the trust commences.
The commencement of trust enables the benefits under the South West native title agreement to start flowing into the trust.
Following the signing of the documents, SWALSC Chairperson Vanessa Kickett made the following remarks:
“While the signing of the trust deed is a significant achievement, our work in creating the governance structures that will guide the implementation of the South West native title agreement has just begun.
“There is a lot more work for SWALSC to do in the next six months to establish the six Noongar regional corporations and gain the support of the Noongar community for SWALSC to become the central services corporation.”
“Today, I remember the Noongar elders who fought so long to win justice for our people and who passed before they were able to see this day come to pass.
“We pay our respects to their memory and honour the legacy they leave for our people.
“The path to date has brought many challenges, but we remain focused on honouring the vision of our ancestors, our elders and our communities, whose guidance and dignity inspire us to be strong and proud.
Media contact: Jai Wilson 0427 690 053.
