Kokatha

SAVE THE DATE | 2026 KAC AGM & CLHM

Esther Thorn — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:11:59 +0000

Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC will be calling its Annual General Meeting and Kokatha Common Law Holders’ Meeting soon. Please keep the following dates free:

KAC AGM (REGISTERED MEMBERS ONLY)
Saturday, 21 November 2026
Basketball Stadium, Port Augusta Central Oval Sporting Complex

KOKATHA CLHM (REGISTERED KAC MEMBERS AND REGISTERED KOKATHA COMMON LAW HOLDERS ONLY)
Sunday, 22 November 2026
Basketball Stadium, Port Augusta Central Oval Sporting Complex

Further information about the meetings, including timings, details and fuel support, will be shared closer to the date.

Please pop the dates in your calendar and keep an eye on the KAC Facebook page and our website for further updates.

UPCOMING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT TAFE

Esther Thorn — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 03:25:24 +0000

The Aboriginal Access Centre at Port Augusta TAFE is calling for registrations of interest for White Card training and Front End Loader Operations.

White Card – Work Safely in the Construction Industry

This short course provides an understanding of risk management and injury prevention in the construction industry.

Monday 26 October

8.30am – 4pm

Front End Loader Operations

This course is for a maximum of six participants and is free for Aboriginal students.

Tuesday 27 October – Thursday 29 October

8.30am – 4pm

To register please call Deidre Coulthard on 86489924 or email deidre.coulthard@tafesa.edu.au

WESTERN ACCESS ROAD CLEANUP

Esther Thorn — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:58:11 +0000

Wow, what a difference our Kokatha crew have made to the Western Access Road at Carrapateena!

Our team of casual workers Kyzaiahl Dodd, Riley Milera, Keith Waye and Tallan Dodd got stuck into a big clean-up of the area around the Western Access entrance, clearing rubbish from the road verges, entrance area and along the highway.

The team cleared approximately 20–30 metres on each side of the entrance, as well as the main road entrance area and a further 30 metres along the highway.

Unfortunately there was plenty to clean up, including drink cans, discarded water containers and other rubbish, but the crew did a fantastic job and left the whole area looking clean and tidy.

It’s great to see our Kokatha team caring for Country and making such a visible difference to the area.

Well done to Kyzaiahl, Riley, Keith, Tallan and KMS Supervisor Anthony Joslyn for your hard work and for taking such pride in the job.

CARRAPATEENA SPRING ECOLOGY SURVEY

Esther Thorn — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:44:09 +0000

It’s not every day that you come face-to-face with a Stripe-faced Dunnart or hold an Earless Dragon, but that’s exactly what our ranger team did at a recent ecology survey on Kokatha Country.

Our Kokatha Rangers joined the BHP Carrapateena Environment team and ecologists from Lathwida Environmental to take part in the annual Spring ecology survey at Carrapateena.

During the four day visit, the rangers built practical skills and learned about the different ways the health of Country is monitored, including pitfall trapping, bird surveys, checking the health of the rangelands and recording the plants and vegetation found across different areas.

There were some great finds along the way, including the Stripe-faced Dunnart and the Earless Dragon, as well as 78 individual flora species recorded at one of the creek line monitoring sites.

Experiences like this are an important part of building knowledge and skills through the KAC Ranger Program, while also strengthening the relationship and collaboration between Kokatha and BHP.

A big shout out to our rangers Chantari, Amelia and Taelah for representing KAC and getting stuck into the survey work, and to the BHP and Lathwida Environmental teams for sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Photo 1 – The Stripe-faced Dunnart

Photo 2 – Chantari with the Earless Dragon

Photo 3 – Releasing the Stripe-faced Dunnart

Photo 4 – Checking the pit-fall traps

Photos 5 & 6 – Learning about different monitoring techniques

Photo 7 – Members of the ecology survey team

BHP RENAMES OAK DAM WITH KOKATHA NAME

Esther Thorn — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:44:13 +0000

In an important chapter in the Kokatha story, BHP has renamed its Oak Dam exploration site Ankata, which is the Kokatha word for Bearded Dragon.

The name recognises the Creation Story or Songline, that the potential future mine is situated on.

It’s the first time that BHP has renamed one of its mining or exploration sites with an Aboriginal name, which we hope shows an acknowledgement of the deep cultural and spiritual connection Kokatha people have to their Country.

The day also marked the opening of a dedicated Kokatha office at Ankata, that can be used by all Kokatha people working at the site.

Ankata is more than just a name – it’s recognition that Kokatha Country has always, and will always, belong to Kokatha people.

WHAT A WEEKEND ON KOKATHA COUNTRY!

Esther Thorn — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:57:25 +0000

Kokatha Directors, community members and staff came together for two very important events on Kokatha Country over the weekend.

The weekend began with the Kokatha and Arid Recovery Open Day, where the KAC Board joined families, Rangers and visitors at the reserve, near Roxby Downs.

It was the first time Kokatha and Arid Recovery have jointly held the Open Day, and it was a great opportunity for people to learn about the work being done to protect Country, and also to enjoy a day together.

The next day marked a particularly significant moment, with the official renaming of Oak Dam to Ankata, and the opening of the new Kokatha office at BHP’s Ankata exploration site.

The name Ankata means Bearded Dragon and is part of the Creation Story or Songline, that passes through the area.

In his speech, KAC Deputy Chair Glen Wingfield said the name recognises the enduring connection between Kokatha people, culture and Country and ensures Kokatha language and story are reflected in the name of this important place.

He paid tribute to the Kokatha Elders who fought so hard to have their Native Title recognised, and thanked the community members for their support, and for coming out to witness what he hopes will be the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between KAC and BHP.

The dedicated Kokatha office at Ankata, which is decorated in artwork by Kokatha artist Presten Warren, was officially opened by KAC Director Joyleen Thomas, and provides a base for all Kokatha people working at the exploration site.

Thank you to everyone who helped make both events possible, and to all the Kokatha community and staff who supported these milestone occasions.

Check out the great photos from the weekend!

ROWE PARTNERS BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS

Esther Thorn — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:38:49 +0000

We’re excited to share that our Trust & Member Services Team has been named a finalist in the Rowe Partners Business Awards, in the Excellence in the Delivery of Services category.

The nomination recognised the team’s commitment to providing quality, responsive and professional support to Kokatha members.

Being named a finalist is a wonderful acknowledgement of the care and dedication the team brings to their work every day.

A big congratulations to Clayton, Jasmine, Deanna and Leticia on this well-deserved recognition.

We wish the team all the best for the awards night in October!

WE’RE HIRING – HERITAGE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Esther Thorn — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:25:27 +0000

Are you organised, proactive and good at keeping projects, people and plans on track?

Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation is looking for a Heritage Services Coordinator to join our Heritage Operations team.

This is an opportunity to play an important role in supporting the delivery of heritage services and activities across Kokatha Country, while working alongside a team committed to protecting culture and heritage for current and future generations.

The role will support our Heritage Operations team with:

Heritage project administration and record keeping

Travel and logistics coordination

Stakeholder, consultant and contractor support

Reporting, compliance and procurement

Invoicing, purchase orders and expenditure tracking

Improving systems and processes

We’re keen to hear from candidates with strong administration or project coordination skills, excellent communication and organisation, attention to detail and the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Experience in heritage, native title, cultural services, mining, community or Aboriginal organisations is desirable, but not essential.

Full-time | based in Port Augusta

If you’re looking for a role where your organisational skills can contribute to meaningful work on Kokatha Country, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply:

To read the full position description, please click on the button below.

You can apply through Seek https://au.seek.com/job/94686681?ref=cm-ui

Or email your cover letter and up-to-date resume to: employmentandtraining@kokatha.com.au

Please share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested in joining the KAC team.

TJITJI TJUTA MUNDA CAMP REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Esther Thorn — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:52:38 +0000

Calling all young Kokatha kids aged between 10 – 17! We still have five spots available on our upcoming Tjitji Tjuta Munda Camp (KAC Kids Camp).

This Kokatha Aborigial Corporation led camp will be held during the second week of the spring school holidays.

Departing Tuesday 6 October and returning Thursday 8 October 2026.

The camp will take place on Kokatha Country at Roxby Downs Station.

The camp will be an unforgettable opportunity for Kokatha young people to connect with Country, build on and develop personal skills, and experience guided cultural site tours.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the camp, or you know a young person who’d like to take part, please register your interest https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdE9NqlrlO…/viewform…

Once you’ve registered, Jarrad Edwards from KAC’s Community Development Team will be in touch with more information.

Please note that the registration of interest form must be sent back to Jarrad at jarrad.edwards@kokatha.com.au no later than Sunday 20 September 2026.

We look forward to hearing from you. The last camp was an amazing experience for everyone involved and we’re certain this one will be too!

KOKATHA EDUCTION SCHOLARSHIP NOW OPEN

Esther Thorn — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:47:50 +0000

We’re pleased to announce that the Kokatha Education Scholarship Round 1 for FY 2026–27 is now open!

Applications can be submitted from today, Monday, 24 August until COB Friday, 30 October 2026.

The Scholarship Program helps cover educational costs of up to $10,000 per calendar year for eligible registered Kokatha Common Law Holders (KCLH), registered KAC Members and their children.

Funding may assist with:

Course fees, textbooks and study materials

Digital tools such as laptops, iPads, hardware and software

Equipment, tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Accommodation and transport costs

Excursions and camps that form part of the assessed curriculum

Tutoring and tutorial support

Uniforms

Educational holiday programs and extracurricular activities

Back to Home allowance

Please note that childcare, after-school care (OSHC) and vacation care are not covered. Digital devices are generally limited to one device every three years, and primary and high school students must provide supporting documentation from their educational institution confirming that the device is required for learning purposes.

To be considered, applications must include supporting documentation such as:

• Attendance records, where relevant

• An educational reference

• A personal statement from the student

• The most recent academic report

• Evidence of other external funding applications, or an explanation as to why these have not been made

• Evidence of a School Card application, where relevant

• Quotes for the educational costs being requested

Who should apply?

Students over 18 years must complete and sign their own application.

A parent or guardian must complete and sign the application for students under 18.

Applications open: Monday, 24 August 2026

Applications close: COB Friday, 30 October 2026

Apply online through the KAC website:

https://kokatha.com.au/member-services-community…/

Applications can also be submitted through the CAPs Portal.

If you have any questions about the Scholarship Program or the application process, please contact the Trusts & Member Services Team on 8642 2068.