Kokatha

WEAVING, CULTURE & CONNECTION AT KAC

Esther Thorn — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:07:32 +0000

The Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation Community Development Team hosted a weaving workshop at Press Road last week, bringing together a small group of participants for a relaxed and hands-on afternoon of learning, creativity and connection.

Attendees built on their weaving skills and confidence, while connecting with culture through traditional weaving practices.

The workshop also provided a wonderful space to share stories, be creative, support positive wellbeing and strengthen relationships within our community.

And, of course, no community workshop is complete without some good food! Everyone enjoyed delicious chicken wraps while taking a well-earned break.

Participants took their unique woven creations home with them to continue working on, and the feedback from the day was fantastic, with many people saying they’d been keen to take part in regular weaving sessions.

Check out the great photos from the day below and see some of the beautiful baskets starting to come to life!

We’re hoping to make these workshops a regular part of the KAC Community Development program, with an intention to hold weaving workshops fortnightly.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details of the next workshop date!

If you’d like to register your interest in future weaving workshops, please contact:

Shonelle Reid

KAC Community Engagement Officer

0426 385 390

Shonelle.Reid@kokatha.com.au

A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the workshop such a lovely day of creativity and community.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Esther Thorn — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:55:05 +0000

Do you have a CN Crane Ticket, Intermediate Rigging Ticket/Licence or Loader Operator Ticket?

We want to hear from you!

We’re seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified people who hold any of these tickets for a potential upcoming job opportunity.

If you have the relevant tickets and are interested in being considered, please send through your resume and copies of your tickets to:

employmentandtraining@kokatha.com.au

Please share this with anyone in your network who may be interested.

KOKATHA COMMON LAW HOLDERS’ MEETING SUCCESS

Esther Thorn — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:36:18 +0000

A big thank you to everyone who came along to our Kokatha Common Law Holders’ Meeting on Saturday.

The day was a huge success, with almost 300 community members attending to catch up and hear about potential projects on Kokatha Country.

The meeting kicked off with a barbecue breakfast cooked by the KAC Team and coffee by Son Sons coffee van.

We heard from KAC Chairperson Nyani Thomas, as well as BHP representatives including Copper SA Asset President Anna Wiley.

Northern Water – which wants to build a desalination plant and water pipe line to Olympic Dam – and railway company Aurizon, also gave presentations about their projects.

There was also a presentation from a company called AI Carbon, which is wanting to take feral goats off Yudnapinna Station and let the shrubs and trees grow back over 25 years.

This earns carbon credits, which big companies that create pollution need to buy. If KAC agrees, there will be an agreement negotiated for Kokatha People to receive a share of the profits.

There was plenty of fun for the kids too, with face painting, weaving, beading and a visit by Noodles the Clown, which was definitely a highlight!

Thank you to the stakeholders who presented – it’s so important for our community to hear about projects that may impact our Native Title area.

A huge shout out to all of our KAC staff who helped make the day a success, from the smooth sign in process to keeping the kids entertained – it was a truly awesome day.

We’re already looking forward to the AGM and the next CLHM, which are scheduled for later this year.

INDENTURE ACT & OLYMPIC DAM NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE FOR KAC MEMBERS

Esther Thorn — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 06:27:05 +0000

Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KAC) has been fighting to get a better deal for Kokatha People from BHP and the Olympic Dam mine for almost 20 years.

As members know, KAC is currently in negotiations with BHP for a new agreement to properly recognise and compensate Kokatha People for the impact Olympic Dam mine has had on our Country, our culture and our community.

Earlier this year, the South Australian Government and BHP made amendments to the Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratification) Act.

Kokatha People have a long history of protesting against the Indenture and the destruction of Kokatha land, starting in the 1980s, when the Indenture Act was passed by the Government to give Western Mining all the approval and rights it needed to establish Olympic Dam mine.

The KAC Board was very disappointed that these changes happened without properly talking to Kokatha People first and took action quickly to raise its concerns.

This included making a submission to Parliament to advocate for changes that would give Kokatha People a stronger voice, involvement in decision making and acknowledgement of the impact of the Indenture has on us.

A copy of the submission and further information about this can be found here https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/…/Committees-Detail

The legislation was however quickly passed by the Government without any changes.

KAC has made it clear to BHP that a new Olympic Dam Agreement must recognise Kokatha People and our land, provide proper compensation, and a real place in decision-making.

In July, KAC Directors visited Olympic Dam to hear about BHP’s proposed Smelter and Refinery Expansion and Environmental Impact Statement and KAC representatives attended BHP’s Traditional Owners forum to talk to BHP executives about these important issues.

You can read the full story about the work KAC’s doing in our latest newsletter https://kokatha.com.au/july-newsletter-now-online/ and there will also be an update from the KAC negotiation team and BHP at the Common Law Holders’ Meeting tomorrow Saturday 8 August 2026.

Pictured – the KAC Olympic Dam negotiation team with lawyers Leonora and Stephen from Camatta Lempens

A BIG CONGRATS TO OUR TRUSTS & MEMBER SERVICES TEAM

Esther Thorn — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:52:43 +0000

We’re pleased to share that our Trusts and Member Services Team has been nominated in the 2025/26 Rowe Partners Port Augusta Outstanding Business Awards.

These awards recognise businesses, services and organisations that demonstrate excellence, innovation and a commitment to improvement, while making a positive contribution to the Port Augusta community.

Finalists are judged on the quality of their service, their achievements, their impact on the community and their vision for the future, with the winners announced in October.

The nomination is recognition of the care, professionalism and dedication our Trusts and Member Services Team shows in supporting Kokatha members.

Congratulations to Clayton, Jasmine, Deanna and Leticia on this well-deserved recognition.

A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS FOR KOKATHA KIDS

Esther Thorn — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:28:31 +0000

There were plenty of smiles, laughs and new experiences when a group of Kokatha kids recently spent two days on Country at Roxby Downs Station.

From sleeping in swags for the very first time and exploring the station in buggies, to spotting wildlife on a night walk, sharing stories around the campfire and learning from our Kokatha Rangers, the camp was all about building confidence, resilience, friendships and a stronger connection to Country.

A huge thank you to our Community Development Team, Ranger Team and Uniting Country SA for making this experience possible. We hope this is the first of many more On-Country camps for Kokatha young people.

You can read the full story, along with plenty more about what’s happening at Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation, in our latest newsletter.

Click on the button below to check it out!

JULY NEWSLETTER NOW ONLINE

Esther Thorn — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:27:56 +0000

Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation?

Our July KAC Newsletter is now live on our website, featuring the news, updates and stories from across our Corporation and community.

Some of the highlights of this edition include:
🧡 A story about our new team of Women Rangers and how they’re caring for Country while building their futures.
📰 A report from Chairperson Nyani Thomas about everything the KAC Board has been working on.
⛏️ The latest update on Olympic Dam Agreement negotiations and changes to the Indenture Act.
👏 Former CEO John Hender’s reflections on his time leading KAC.
🏕️ Photos from a recent Kokatha kids’ camp at Roxby Downs Station.
🎨 Details on how to enter our Kids AGM Design Competition, plus all you need to know upcoming events and important community news.

There’s plenty happening across Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation, and we love sharing the stories with you.

👉 Click the button below to download the full newsletter.

Happy reading!

KAC COMMON LAW HOLDERS’ MEETING – 8 AUGUST

Esther Thorn — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 03:14:43 +0000

Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KAC) will be holding the Kokatha Common Law Holders’ meeting at 9.30 am on Saturday 08 August 2026, West Augusta Football Club, 13 Gardiner Avenue, Port Augusta, SA, 5700.

The doors will be open at 8:30am for registration, with registrations closing at 11am sharp.

Please note that to attend this meeting you must be a KAC member OR a registered Kokatha Common Law Holder. If you are not a KAC member or registered Kokatha Common Law Holder, you will not be allowed in the meeting.

To cater for families, children’s activities will be provided on Saturday commencing at 9.30am.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Check your details: At registration, please check your details on our registration list to make sure your name, address and other details are up to date.

You can update them on the day and register to receive email and SMS alert messages from KAC.

To download copies of the Agenda, the minutes from the previous Kokatha Common Law Holder meeting and the KAC Code of Conduct, please click on the buttons below.

To assist registered KAC Common Law Holders attending the meeting, KAC will provide a $200 gift card and fuel payment for your time and contribution. Please note you must be a registered Common Law Holder to get this assistance.

For fuel assistance please contact Faith Munga at the SANTS Office on 1800 010 360 or email faithm@nativetitlesa.org

NOTE:
No proxies permitted for Common Law Holder meetings. If you are not a KAC member or a registered Common Law Holder, you will not be admitted to the meeting.

KOKATHA NAIDOC EVENT WRAP UP

Esther Thorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 02:21:45 +0000

Our Kokatha NAIDOC Event at Press Road, Port Augusta, brought our community together for a fantastic day of fun, laughter and celebrating culture.

One of the highlights was creating our special Kokatha banner, with handprints from our littlest Kokatha community members. Check out how deadly it looks in the photos!

There was something for everyone to enjoy, with arts and crafts, a delicious BBQ lunch, and a traditional roo tail cook-up shared by the community.

It was great to see Elders, families and Kokatha kids coming together to celebrate, connect and enjoy NAIDOC Week.

Have a look at some of the photos from the day and see if you can spot yourself, your family or friends! We even got a mention on Port Augusta’s NAIDOC news!

A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the celebration such a success.

KAC HERITAGE INFORMATION SESSION

Esther Thorn — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:06:38 +0000

Are you keen to find out more about doing heritage work for Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC), or are you one of our valued heritage workers?

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, come along to our upcoming Heritage Information Session.

You’ll find out about changes to the heritage employment contracts, hear an update about heritage business at KAC, and learn about future plans for the team.

It’s also a great chance to learn more about how you can start working with our heritage team, and connect with other heritage workers and community members.

Whether you’re already part of the team or simply interested in learning more, we’d love to see you!

Friday 24 July

Port Augusta Yacht Club

Sign in from 10:30am with the info session starting at 11am

A sausage sizzle and refreshments will be served after the meeting.

Please RSVP to heritage@kokatha.com.au

Travel Assistance will NOT be available, however if you’d like to attend, but can’t make it in person please email the heritage team and we can send you a link so you can join online.

Please note that no one will be paid to attend the meeting as it’s for information sharing only.

We look forward to seeing you there!