Who are we?
History of us
NBAC’s origins date back to 1970, when station-proud men and women were displaced by the 1967 referendum and the 1968 equal pay lawsuit. Unable to remain on their property and preserve their cultural sites or work stations, many moved to Yirramargardu (Roebourne) and lived in the former Reserve across the Ngurin River (Harding).
It was the beginning of coastal mining operations, and Robe River Mining (now Rio Tinto) was advancing its grand goal of iron ore output. In 1974, a group of bold, industrious, and honourable local men were fed up with being ‘locked out’ of employment and began ‘leramagardu gardening’ with an old Buick Ute and some lawn mowers. They drove up to the gates of Industria and requested a “fair day’s work and fair pay” from the foreman.
These men were senior law enforcement officers, respected elders, and skilled craftsmen, and their acts cleared the way for a new generation of men and women to work hard for the respect they deserved.
NBAC urges everyone to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors by observing fair labor and fair pay days. The organization’s main purpose is to help the aboriginal community with a variety of social issues; they direct several efforts to improve the community’s well-being, such as establishing a health station, providing a driving academy, grounds upkeep, cleaning services, and so on.
The meaning of our name
Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation
Ngarliyarndu = Coastal Pilbara. Bindirri = Star
Pronunciation: Nar-lee-yarn-doo Bin-diddy
Our vision
Ensure that all Ngarda and Torres Strait Island People, living on Ngarliyarndu Ngurra, is able to achieve maximum well-being and self-determination in their lifetime.
Our mission
Proud of who we are
Our values
Honesty
Empowering
Equality
Pride
David Walker (Chairperson of NBAC) Future Goals
“I would like to see the story of NBAC and what we have achieved be shared with everyone.
But mostly, I want to see NBAC become bigger and better, continuing to succeed into the future. I want to make this happen and carry on what our old people wanted back when NBAC first started. To help our people move away from the sit-down money, so future generations have a better chance. I want the work I do with NBAC to impact all Ngarda Ngarli associated with Roebourne to succeed in their health and wellbeing, and their commitments to self-determination.
I want to see NBAC grow by providing more employment and wellbeing services, so that we can succeed in the future, providing our families with a better life. For this to happen, we need to see our young people understand the value of money through employment.
Our young people need education and training. Education is vital, that is when better jobs come. Station Life is no more, and we will only achieve supervisory, managerial and even apprenticeships through this education and hard work. I want to see this change.
If we can achieve this for all Ngarda Ngarli associated with Roebourne and their families, then we will see our people able to have safe and stable housing, employment and stronger health and wellbeing. We will see our people committed to their individual self-determination.”