Yawoorroong Aboriginal Corporation (MG Corp)

Background – MG Ord Enhancement Scheme

The MG Ord Enhancement Scheme (OES) is a partnership between the Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal Corporation (MG Corporation) and the WA State Government.

The Ord Enhancement Scheme (OES) commenced in mid 2006 and forms an important part of the Ord Final Agreement (OFA).  The OES is a state funded program intended to address the adverse social and economic impacts that Ord Stage 1 and the associated development of the town of Kununurra has had, and continues to have, on the lives of Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples.

The priorities and strategic direction of the OES are directed by the MG Corporation. The committee includes 7 representatives of the MG Corporation (who formerly comprised the ASEIA Committee which was set up to drive the recommendations of the report during negotiations of the OFA) and the Director of the Kimberley Development Commission, representing the State Government.

The OES reports to both MG Corporation and the Minister for the Kimberley, the Hon Jon Ford MLC.

The OES is an innovative collaboration that provides for joint decision-making processes involving Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples and government working together.The program will operate through the development of partnerships between the OES / MG Corporation and public sector, not for profit and private sector organisations.

The broad aim of the program is to achieve support for community driven initiatives leading to long-term, beneficial change in the community.

Purpose of the OES

The OES intends to contribute to the following outcomes:

• enhanced services for Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples;
• enhanced Miriuwung Gajerrong participation in the determination of service priorities and the delivery of services in the East Kimberley;
• the social and cultural development of Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples;
• the positioning of Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples as partners in regional development;
• improved social cohesion and inclusiveness in the broader community.

The broad objectives of the OES are to:

• provide the MG Peoples with organisational and financial resources to effect the implementation of the recommendations from the Ord Stage 1 ASEIA Report (see below);
  
• facilitate the involvement of MG peoples in local and regional decision – making structures and processes that impact on their lives;
  
• provide a source of supplementary funding for the social and economic development of MG peoples in areas of identified need;
  
• establish a mechanism that enables service providers to regularly report on progress towards addressing needs identified in the ASEIA report;
  
• develop new and sustainable relationships and partnerships between MG peoples, government and the broader community.
  

 Current Priorities and Projects

 Early priorities that have been identified by the OES Committee are:

• renal health and health education
• education
• early childhood learning and family support
• youth at risk
• cultural maintenance
• housing & infrastructure
• training & employment.

Strategies are being developed and partnerships negotiated to achieve long term better outcomes in these areas.

OES Management Committee Members

Contact Details