YMAC Annual Report 2022

The overall strategic and policy direction for YMAC is
determined by its Board of Directors who meet at least
every four months. The Board also acts as an advocacy
group for Traditional Owners in the Yamatji and Marlpa
regions, particularly in relation to government policies
and development activities affecting Country.
The Board is accountable to the
corporation’s members and ultimately
responsible for the performance of
YMAC’s statutory functions. The Board is
comprised of members from YMAC’s two
committees – the Yamatji Regional
Committee and Pilbara Regional
Committee. The committees are elected
to represent their respective region. Six
members from each committee join to
form the 12-member Board of Directors,
providing equal representation for both
the Yamatji and Pilbara regions.
This year, the Board came together five
times, including one meeting at Rottnest
Island and one in Karratha. Our Co-
Chairpersons met regularly with the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
particularly as COVID-19 continued to
impact our service areas.
Policy direction for YMAC on matters
specific to either the Yamatji or Pilbara
region are provided by the respective
regional committee. Four regional
committee meetings were held in
2021-2022 in August, October, February
and May.
Strategy and policy directions are
implemented through the day-to-day
work of YMAC’s staff, under the direction
of the CEO. The organisation employs
more than 100 professionals from a
diverse range of disciplines including
law, anthropology, heritage, archaeology,
governance, community liaison,
executive/corporate, land and sea
management, and financial and
administrative services. Staff regularly
travel between our four offices in Perth,
Geraldton, Hedland and Broome to
deliver services. Another office is
scheduled to open in Carnarvon in
the second half of 2022.
Regular reporting by YMAC’s CEO and
the Executive Management Team to
the Board, regional committees,
stakeholders, management and funders
ensures YMAC’s strategic direction
is maintained – and that risks are
identified and managed appropriately.
In December 2020, the
YMAC Board finalised
and endorsed the 2021-
2025 Strategic Plan.
The plan covers four
strategic priority areas
and associated initiatives
to achieve success:
1. Deliver on our responsibilities to Traditional
Owners, Common Law Holders and Country.
2. Build on a tradition of operational excellence.
3. Foster a culture of connection across and
beyond YMAC.
4. Build capacity and mobilise opportunities.
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation | Annual Report 2022 | 17