South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) is a representative body of the Noongar people, the traditional owners of the South West of Australia. SWALSC works with its members to find resolution for native title claims as well as advancing the Noongar Culture, language and society.

Noongar News April 2009 Edition

"It's Time" Youth Arts Competition

SWALSC invites all young people under the age of 18 years on 11 June 2009 to enter the "It's Time" Youth Arts Competition.

$500 poster prize (A3 or A4);

$500 essay or short story prize (up to 2,500 words);

$500 stage or radio play prize (up to one hour).

Deadline for entries is 1 June 2009; all entries must be submitted to the SWALSC office by 4pm on 1 June 2009.

Background: 11 June 1829 is the date when sovereignty was "assumed" over Noongar country by what is now the State of Western Australia. 11 June 2009 marks the 180th anniversary of this day.

Theme: The SWALSC Youth Arts Competition is aimed at marking this 180th anniversary, at celebrating the survival of Noongar culture, and suggesting that after 180 years it is now time to acknowledge the traditional owners' native title over Noongar country.

For further information contact SWALSC Communications Officer, Paul Halfpenny, on (08) 9358 7400 or by email at: paul.halfpenny@noongar.org.au

Membership Forms for Downloading

Form for new members click here then print, complete the form and post to SWALSC.

Form for current members updating their contact details click here then print, complete and post to SWALSC.

Form for current members updating or choosing their traditional ward click here then print, fill in and post to SWALSC.

Membership Update Competition Winner

The winner of the March 2009 Membership Update prize is Sean Mitchell from Yued country. Sean has won a free family weekend for four (2 adults and 2 children) at the Motel Le Grande in Albany. The accomodation prize (which includes all breakfasts) was kindly donated by the Motel Le Grande. SWALSC would like to thank everyone who took the time to upgrade their membership details.

Two Vacant Positions: Anthropologist and Research Officer

SWALSC applies dynamic and creative processes within the area of native title and provides a challenging and exciting work environment. Our activities are focused on delivering professional services to assist traditional Aboriginal owners to excercise their rights under the Native Title Act 1993.

We have a vacancy for a full-time qualified anthropologist to undertake research relating to native title and other matters. Research would involve a combination of ethnographic, archival, and genealogical research.

We also have a vacancy for a full-time qualified research officer. Research would involve a combination of archival, desktop, and field work.

Salary packages will be negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary packaging is available.

Job descriptions may be obtained by contacting (by email) rachel.stanwyck@noongar.org.au

Further information can be obtained by contacting Chris Owen on (08) 9358 7400. Email applications should be sent to Rachel Stanwyck at the above email address. Postal applications should be sent to the Office Manager, SWALSC, PO Box 585 Cannington WA 6987 by close of business on Friday 5 June 2009.

Noongar People Still Determined Despite Court Decision

The Federal Court has sent the Single Noongar Native Title Claim back to the Federal Court for a second hearing. However the Court has not set aside the native title claim.

The Single Noongar Claim, which covers the south west of Western Australia and includes the Perth metropolitan region, was appealed by the State and Commonwealth Governments in April 2007.

Mr Glen Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), said “The court did not overturn the findings in regards to the evidence provided by the Noongar people or that there was a Noongar Society. The Court’s ruling suggests that some of the legal conclusions that Justice Wilcox made in the original case were not consistent with native title law”.

For the full release click here

How to Find the SWALSC Office

Click on this map to see a full sizel Google Map for the SWASLC offices. The Google icon labelled C best respresents the location of the SWALSC offices.