The client: Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, Western Australia

The client’s challenge: The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation identified that it needed assistance with economic modelling, strategic advice and agreement-making. The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation is made up of members from five Aboriginal language groups of Murujuga Country: the Ngarluma, the Mardudhunera, the Yaburara, the Yindjibarndi, and the Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo, and is governed through their Board and the Circle of Elders. As the authorised representative of its members, the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation protects, manages, conserves and promotes the National Heritage List values.

Referred to as Murujuga Country, the Dampier Archipelago (including the Burrup Peninsula) is host to one of the most significant and dense collections of petroglyphs (carved rock art) in the world and is included on Australia’s National Heritage List. The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation is working in partnership with the WA Government and in collaboration with the Australian Government and other stakeholders, to prepare a nomination for Murujuga Country to be included on to the World Heritage List, in recognition of its outstanding universal value (cultural significance).

GIRA’s response: GIRA’s Founders have an established relationship with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, having worked with the organisation since 2017 (while in previous roles). This long term and continuing relationship ensures that GIRA has a good understanding of effective and targeted stakeholder engagement and communication, an awareness of the organisation’s decision making and governance structures and the organisation’s short, medium and long term goals. GIRA’s provision of strategic advice, considerations for inclusion in economic modelling and experience in agreement making has assisted in optimising outcomes for all stakeholders.