YAKA DANDJOO EVENTS

  • Yaka Dandjoo Events

    Yaka Dandjoo Events is a committee made up of agency and community representatives who deliver activities for the Aboriginal community of the Greater Bunbury region.

    The purpose of the group is to assist in the planning and coordinating of significant events being held in the Greater Bunbury area that celebrate Aboriginal people and culture

  • Beginnings

    Yaka Dandjoo Events means coming together in the Noongar language.

    The group was formed in early 2015 by Aboriginal women working in Health who felt the need to create a committee to access funds to deliver community events. Various small groups were applying for funding, and it felt very separated and competitive, they wanted to come together and connect. With similar events beginning in the community and limited funding, it was time to form the group. The group now have 30+ members.

  • Committee

    The committee is made up of representatives from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community groups. Members include representatives from City of Bunbury, the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre, Goomburrup Aboriginal Corporation, NEEDAC, Education sector, PCYC Bunbury, Department of Human Services, WA Country Health Services, WAITOC and Aboriginal Language Centre

  • Support

    Yaka Dandjoo is there to promote events around the community and support other communities around the greater Bunbury region.

    “The reconciliation process is one of the main focuses for us as this is something we need to come together and have a platform that allows us to create awareness of how we will build a better nation”

  • Events

    Their main two events are National Reconciliation Week, where the Reconciliation Bridge Week is gaining momentum and participating every year. The other is NAIDOC Week to celebrates everything Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people do in our nations. They are a volunteer group and rely on grant applications, sponsorship and donations, and Karen is very thankful to all who support them. Still, there is always space for more sponsors, donors/and philanthropists to come on board.

Bunbury Reconciliation Bridge Walk

Meet the Team

  • KAREN JETTA

    Karen is a Bindjareb, Wardandi Noongar woman with connections Ballardong and Wilmen.

    Karen’s passion is working with youths and adults through her consultancy business ,BILYA Moorditjabiny Training Services. Working in prisons, schools and other community placements to develop Indigenous leadership.

    “We want to be here to lead the young people, and we are always encouraging them to look over the barriers beyond the horizon to the amazing opportunities.”

    Karen has done a lot of training/ including with Relationships Australia as an education officer and delivering education courses.

    Karen’s biggest piece of advice for a young person wanting to work in this space is to be proud of yourself and continue to have your self-belief. “The support is huge, and you just need to take it and don’t let anything stop you, especially our young women”.

    Karen knows she and the elders won’t be here forever to support the movement.

  • SHARON COOKE

    Sharon is a Bindjareb, Wardandii Noongar woman with strong connections across many communities.

    Sharon has experience as a Community Liaison Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry.

    Sharon is skilled in public speaking, facilitation, community engagement, training and staff development.

    Sharon is a strong community and social services professional with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Primary Education focused in Major Education Minor Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies from Edith Cowan University.

    Sharon holds a Cert IV in Counselling, Mind, Body and Medicine and is a qualified Aboriginal Language Teacher of Noongar Language.

  • KELLI SCHMITT

    Kelli is a Wardandi Noongar woman with connections with many communities.

    Kelli has experience in education as a aboriginal liaison officer, working with students and staff to create a positive culturally safe space to learn and grow.

    Kelli has a Bachelor of Science in Coastal Environmental Science and has a strong connection to the land and waters.

    Kelli has served on multiple community committees over many years and has worked towards sharing the many wonderful things happening in her community. Kelli started her own media business “Wardandi Media” and uses it to focus on sharing all the positive events in the aboriginal community.