FUNERAL OR NATIVE TITLE AGM: NAAGUJA HAVE TO CHOOSE

GEOFF VIVIAN

In Geraldton, Naaguja people are concerned that they cannot attend an important Native Title meeting because it coincides with a family funeral next month.

Ngaarda Media understands directors are to be elected at this meeting.

Kate Councillor said she had contacted Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation two weeks ago asking for the Native Title meeting to be postponed as it was impossible to re-schedule the funeral.

“The 12th was the only date they could get, out of respect for a lot of the people who are FIFO workers at our mine sites up in the north,” she said. “A lot of the businesses in Geraldton will actually be closing their doors on the day of Uncle Barry’s funeral. This is how much of an impact this man had on a lot of people in this town and right across Western Australia.”

Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation made a social media posting saying the AGM had been planned last August 2022.

“The General Meeting was called by the members, in the Corporations Act (section 249D) it is a legal requirement that YSRC hold the meeting within two months of receiving notice from the members,” the statement reads.

“Due to the planning of both meetings and the booking of a venue, catering, online services to vote and other services needed to hold these meetings it is not appropriate to postpone them.”