THE Malaami Project is hosting another Malaami Conversation, this time with Dean Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC).

It takes place on Sunday 8 October in Thora.

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Dean Kelly is a proud Gumbaynggirr custodian and will be talking about culture and his aspirations for YAC, based in Urunga and the first of its kind in the Bellinger Valley.

Dean will share stories of growing up at the Kelly family farm at Yellow Rock, where he was raised by Elders Richard Kelly and Lillian Kelly (his Nan and Pop) and great uncles Tom Kelly and Raymond Kelly.

“These were the knowledge holders of our family and are the reason for what I do,” Dean said.

He will share what custodianship means to him as he steps into this new role and builds on the work and wisdom of those who came before.

Yurruungga is a collective of the traditional Custodians of the Bellinger Valley Gumbaynggirr people.

This collective will provide “creative and technical leadership of complex cultural development, regeneration and environmental projects” across their ancestral homelands.

Dean deeply values unity and collaboration.

Yurruungga aims to represent the whole Bellinger Valley community.

This is an opportunity for the wider community to listen and learn how we can work together to support this important work.

This is the second of a series of Malaami Conversations that centre First Nations voices working towards malaami (“return to origin”) and creating a life-sustaining, climate-resilient future.

The gathering begins at 9.30am, running until 12.30pm.

The Malaami meeting place is in the gardens behind Thora General Store.

Parking is available next-door at Roses Park Campground or on the opposite side of the road at Thora Hall.

Bring a camping chair and food can be bought at Thora General Store.

This is a not-for-profit event organised by volunteers.

There is no charge for First Nations people.

Ticket sales go towards honorariums for First Nations contributors and towards future Malaami Project events.
Donations are appreciated.

For more information follow the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation on Facebook.

By Andrea FERRARI