Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹


Blog Layout

New Sports Coordinator to Reinvigorate Sports on Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Lands

August 14, 2024

The Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Council has recently appointed Samantha Darby as the Communities' Sports Coordinator.


Samantha has been brought onto the Council to establish a new sports program that serves each of the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ communities. The role will impact sports for all ages, identifying opportunities and pathways for children, youth, and adults.


"We're starting with a clean slate and engaging with each of the communities to develop a program that benefits everyone," Samantha said.


"For the last few years, sport on the Lands has taken the shape of compact carnivals, but with more significant resources to coordinate sport, we have bigger plans,"


"Our goal is larger seasons of Australian Rules and Softball in the winter months and a basketball competition through the summer," Samantha said.


"We're still working through our existing carnival fixturing, but that's what's down the track," she added.


"We'll begin with registration days so that we can gauge the commitment to the program and the number of teams that will feature in the competition,"


"Once up and running, we'll establish home and away fixtures throughout the season, culminating in a finals series similar to other regional and metropolitan competitions,"


"The primary goal is participation—engagement, education and empowerment," Samantha said.


Communities on the Lands vary in size, and the programs we develop will be tailored accordingly, whether that means smaller team sizes or multiple teams within each community.


"We're hoping to encourage similar fixturing within the schools as well as we embrace these healthy, active opportunities through each of our communities,"


"My role over the next few months is to move around each of the communities regularly and meet with Yarnangu so that I can form programs around possibilities,"


"We're also looking to identify targeted gathering spaces for youth around sport so that they have new possibilities for meeting, having a yarn, and cooking some food together through the week,"


Samantha is enthusiastic about the potential of her new role.


"I see enormous possibilities here! It's something different for me. I've spent my life as a spectator of sport; now I get to be at the heart of the action in ways that build and empower communities," Samantha said.


Before transitioning to her role in the CDP area, Samantha enjoyed a successful career in nursing, amassing over 15 years of experience. However, a desire to leave New South Wales and work in remote communities four years ago began a journey for Samantha and her husband, William, that would ultimately bring them to the Lands.


Samantha has recent experience in the CDP area, with stints in the Northern Territory with the Lajamanu, Galiwinku, and Willowra communities.


Samantha is based in Wingellina, where her husband, William, is a Municipal Services Officer.



Related News

By Natasha Perkins December 6, 2024
The Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Council has appointed Tim O’Brien as the new General Manager of Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Health Service (NHS), marking an important step toward addressing the distinct health challenges faced by Yarnangu on the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Lands. With decades of experience in Aboriginal health across regional, metropolitan, and remote settings, Tim brings a strategic focus to NHS's unique mission of delivering a full spectrum of health services—from acute care to public health initiatives—in one of the most remote regions of Australia. O’Brien will oversee NHS’s three service delivery arms—Private Health, Primary Healthcare, and Public Health—managing 45 funding agreements totalling $30 million annually. These encompass hospital and clinic oversight, aged care services, community health clinics, dental and mental health support, and public health initiatives like environmental health. As General Manager, Tim’s focus is on driving a proactive approach to health and continuing the transition of the NHS to a more visionary and less reactionary funding model that can help address the deepest health needs on the Lands. “NHS is a vital service for Yarnangu on the Lands and the distinct health challenges they face,” Tim said. “NHS is unique in providing such a breadth of services under one umbrella,” “This remote geography creates challenges but also offers a rare opportunity to merge acute care with proactive public health strategies,” Tim said. “By focussing on preventive measures, we can help healthy Yarnangu enjoy even stronger health rather than predominantly reacting to acute needs. This is not just achievable—it’s essential,” Tim said. “With the health needs of 1,800 Yarnangu spread across an area larger than Victoria, NHS faces unique challenges and opportunities. While we will continue to provide acute services across the region, we can deliver impactful strategies like food and nutrition programs. These efforts can reduce disease prevalence, improve school attendance, and lower crime rates—outcomes that are not just achievable but essential.” Tim said. By fostering resilience and stronger communities, these strategies ensure Yarnangu remain strong on Country and thrive in a culture-rich environment.
By Natasha Perkins September 13, 2024
With a career spanning decades in remote education and community leadership, Leigh Nelson’s appointment as the new General Manager – Community and Sustainable Development at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Council brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the land. In this role, Leigh will support Yarnangu through employment programs, essential municipal services, financial well-being initiatives, and year-round community engagement. Leigh has long been associated with Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ lands, having spent much of his career in education across remote locations, including Warburton, Wanarn, and the Cocos Islands. Most recently, he served as Director of Education, Goldfields, for the Department of Education—Australia’s largest education region. Born in Esperance and raised on pastoral lands in Salmon Gums, 100 km north of the town, Leigh’s connection to these lands spans over three decades. “My wife and I worked together in Warburton, and my first opportunity as a Principal was at the school in Wanarn,” Leigh shared. “That role began my journey as a School Principal across various schools, which lasted for 23 years.” Leigh’s leadership journey took a significant step when he became part of a cohort of education leaders selected for a Harvard Principal Fellowship, which catalysed his move into system leadership roles within the department. In recent years, Leigh also contributed to the Goldfields District Leadership Group (DLG)—a network coordinated by the Department of Communities to address local issues and drive improved outcomes. “The DLG brought together the Shire, the Council, Department of Justice, WA Police, NIAA, and the Department of Communities to collaborate for strong, shared outcomes in Warburton with a focus on youth engagement and food security,” he explained. Leigh’s leadership in the DLG deepened his connection to the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ lands. “Within the DLG, we had a sub-group focused on Warburton, which reaffirmed my ties to the area. As Chair of this group since its inception, I will now lead from my new role within the Council, ensuring continued collaboration across agencies.” He emphasised his belief in authentic co-design between community members and organisations. “The strongest outcomes on the Lands will come from genuine community voice and all the agencies working together towards lasting, collective impact.” With a strong commitment to the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ lands, Leigh intends to spend time in communities each month. “Improvement happens at the speed of trust, so I’m eager to strengthen those relationships with our leadership team on the ground, enabling us to make meaningful contributions to the Council’s shared vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on Country.” Reflecting on his new role, Leigh said, “The most important thing for me—and what attracted me to this position—is the opportunity to work alongside Yarnangu, who are so integral to our country. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and possibilities that developments like the Outback Way will bring to the lands.” Leigh’s appointment is also a full-circle moment. Fred Twine, the Community Development Advisor he worked alongside during his first Principal role in Wanarn, continues to serve the Council as Municipal Services Manager. Their renewed partnership, after 25 years, promises to further strengthen the Council’s commitment to the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ community and foster long-term, sustainable outcomes for Yarnangu.
By Natasha Perkins September 3, 2024
The Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Council Group was honoured to welcome Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, the newly appointed Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, to our Perth office this week. This landmark meeting, coinciding with a federal cabinet gathering in Perth, marks the first ministerial visit to our offices in the Council's history. The meeting was attended by Senator McCarthy and her staff, along with Council CEO Thomas Williams, Mr Fred Chaney, Mr Preston Thomas, and Sonja Voogd Armstrong, General Manager of Community and Sustainable Development. The primary focus was on the current Remote Jobs Trial, 'Strong'. The meeting also featured a live link to Warburton with Angelica McLean, Director and Social & Wellbeing Coordinator and Shannon Inder, Operations Manager - CDP, providing the Minister with deeper insight into the Council's work within the remote Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ communities. Thomas Williams reflected on the deeper significance of the Ministerial visit, highlighting its importance beyond just the event itself. "While navigating the complexities of the NIAA (National Indigenous Australians Agency) to secure a trial work program is significant, it is even more impactful to witness the Minister’s willingness to meet with our people both in Perth and on the ground in Warburton, to hear firsthand about the Lands and the 'Strong' program," Williams said. "Her questions extended beyond the Remote Jobs Trial, as she sought to understand our vision for the future of Yarnangu and the ongoing challenges faced by remote communities," Williams added. Minister McCarthy’s deliberate focus on improving remote employment opportunities and empowering remote communities was evident throughout the meeting. "Our hope from this meeting is that it helps to foster greater flexibility within the Jobs Program, both during and beyond the trial," "This flexibility pertains to the variety and transferability of job options available to Yarnangu within the Trial," "The Minister embraced our desire to pursue innovative ways to engage Yarnangu in employment, even when those pathways involve a series of work opportunities that lead to longer-term prospects," said Williams. The most enduring outcome of the meeting was a renewed commitment to the partnership between the Council and the NIAA—a relationship grounded in transparency and accountability from both the Council and the Agency. "We concluded the meeting feeling highly optimistic about the Minister’s deep engagement and commitment to being part of the improvement of the Jobs Program on the Lands and to the members in our communities," Williams said. Due in large part to the remoteness of its members, the Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ Council Group is a rare example of a Council providing a comprehensive suite of services (excluding policing). This unique position presents an opportunity, enabling the Council to partner effectively with the agency, given its capacity to monitor and assess the progress of its members. The Council’s vision of helping Yarnangu remain strong on country is shared by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Her visit encouraged us to pursue this vision through engagement, activation, strategy, and the broader embrace of change management across the Council.
View All News
Share by: