Kokatha

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!

WE’RE HIRING – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Esther Thorn — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:28:15 +0000

Do you have experience in business development, building strong relationships and working independently to deliver meaningful outcomes?

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference, Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) would love to hear from you!

We’re looking for an experienced Business Development Manager to help lead business, procurement and economic development opportunities arising from the Northern Water Project — one of South Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects.

Working closely with Kokatha people, businesses, industry and government, you’ll identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships and help create lasting economic benefits for current and future generations.

We’re looking for someone who:

✔ Thinks strategically and sees opportunities where others don’t.

✔ Has experience in business development and stakeholder engagement.

✔ Enjoys building partnerships and influencing positive outcomes.

✔ Can work independently and deliver real results.

📍 Port Augusta

🕒 Full-time | 12-month fixed-term contract

Please click on the buttons below to download the Position Description and apply via SEEK.

For more information please email recruitment@kokatha.com.au

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 24 July. We look forward to hearing from you.

CALLING ALL OUR DEADLY YOUNG DESIGNERS

Esther Thorn — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:50:58 +0000

Are you a young Kokatha person who loves to draw and create? Here’s your chance to have your artwork featured on this year’s KAC Kids AGM shorts!

The winning design will be printed on the kids’ shorts that will be handed out in the children’s goodie bags at this year’s KAC AGM in November.

How to enter:

Download the shorts design template by clicking the button below.
Unleash your creativity with a design that celebrates culture, community and Country.
Make sure you write your name, age and contact details on your entry.

How to submit your design:

📍 Drop your entry into the KAC Railway Terrace office, or

📧 Email it to events@kokatha.com.au

This competition is open to all Kokatha children and young people up to 16 years old.

🏆The winning design will be chosen by KAC staff, the Board and Committees.

📅Entries close Monday 31 August 2026.

We can’t wait to see all your deadly designs. Good luck to everyone entering!

SAVE THE DATE KAC CLHM – SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 8

Esther Thorn — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 01:16:26 +0000

Registered Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation members and registered Kokatha Common Law Holders are invited to save the date for our upcoming Common Law Holders’ Meeting.

WHEN & WHERE:

Saturday 8 August 2026

West Augusta Football Club

This is an important opportunity for Kokatha people to come together, hear updates, discuss matters important to our community and help shape the future direction of our Corporation.

Further information, including meeting times, agenda items and registration details, will be shared in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our Facebook page and website.

We look forward to seeing you there.

One People • One Country • One Dreaming

A STEADY HAND THROUGH CHANGE

Esther Thorn — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:22:57 +0000

When John Hender stepped into the CEO role at Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) in February 2025, he thought he might only be there for a few months.

‘I thought it might be about four months,’ John laughs. ‘But it ended up being 14 months. That just goes to show how hard it is to find the right person for these roles. KAC is a dynamic and complex organisation.’

John was asked to take up the job after former CEO David Whitelaw resigned.

While John had held leadership positions throughout much of his career and had a long-standing connection to KAC through his role on the Kokatha People’s Native Title General Trust, this was the first time he had taken on a CEO position.

‘I’d never had an actual CEO role before and I was quite keen to see how I’d go,’ he says.

Over the following 14 months, John helped guide KAC through a period of significant growth and change.

Among his proudest achievements were relocating the KAC Port Augusta office from Flinders Terrace to Railway Terrace, securing the Indigenous Ranger Grant through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), establishing a new Adelaide office and witnessing KAC achieve the historic Oak Dam Retention Lease Agreement.

While there were many milestones along the way, the people who make up KAC are what John will remember most.

He loved spending time on Kokatha Country, visiting the stations, getting to know community members and connecting with Kokatha Elders.

John is also incredibly proud of the team of staff that has been built within the Corporation.

‘There was a bit of dysfunction amongst the staff when I first started, but once we got it up and running properly, I couldn’t have been prouder of them,’ he says. ‘Seventy per cent of our staff are Kokatha people and their professionalism and commitment continues to impress me. I’ve worked at publicly listed national and international companies and I can say that the calibre of our staff at KAC is of the highest level.’

One of the major pieces of work undertaken during John’s time as CEO was the development of KAC’s Strategic Plan, which provides a clear roadmap for the future of the Corporation.

As he hands over the reins to new CEO Jason Davison, John says he is excited about what lies ahead.

‘I’m thrilled about Jason’s appointment,’ he says. ‘The Board put a lot of effort into ensuring we were recruiting the right person for the job and Jason comes with excellent credentials.’

John believes KAC has a bright future, particularly as work continues towards securing a new Olympic Dam Agreement and Kokatha Mining Services goes from strength-to-strength.

‘KMS really is a shining light at the moment. They’re achieving so much with amazing staff. It’s impressive to see,’ he says.

As KAC enters its next chapter, John is also enjoying the opportunity to slow down a little.

‘After months of waking up at 5am, I’m really enjoying setting the alarm for 7am,’ he laughs.

These days he’s spending more time fishing, gardening, hunting, and enjoying the company of his grandchildren, wife and children.

Reflecting on his time as CEO, John says he is grateful for the opportunity he was given.

‘My main concern going in was that I wasn’t going to have the energy to do the job,’ he says. ‘But I actually found that it energised me. There was a lot of work to do, and it was constantly evolving, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to work with such a highly professional, motivated and committed team.’

KAC Chairperson Nyani Thomas thanked John for stepping into the role when the Corporation needed him and for the leadership he provided.

‘John guided us through some really important structural changes and helped get the huge amount of work done to create a Strategic Plan for KAC,’ he says. ‘We’re so grateful for the leadership and integrity he brought to the CEO position, and we wish him all the best for the future.’

For now, John will be cheering KAC on as the organisation moves into its next chapter under Jason’s leadership.

‘I wish KAC all the best for the future and can’t wait to see what further achievements are made,’ he says. ‘It’s an exciting time ahead and I’m grateful to have played a small part in the Kokatha story.’

KAC STRATEGIC PLAN OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

Esther Thorn — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:39:54 +0000

Today marked an important milestone for Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) with the official launch of the KAC Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035 at the Press Road Community Space in Port Augusta.

The event brought together KAC Directors, community members, staff and guests, including BHP Copper SA Asset President Anna Wiley, to celebrate the next chapter for the Corporation and the Kokatha community.

The day began with a community barbecue, fire and roo tail cooking, creating an opportunity for people to come together, connect and reflect on the journey that has led to this moment.

KAC Chairperson Nyani Thomas then officially launched the Strategic Plan and spoke about the importance of having a clear vision and direction for the future.

The Strategic Plan is a major step forward for KAC. It was developed through community consultation, workshops and feedback from Kokatha people and sets out the priorities and goals that will help guide the Corporation over the next decade.

Importantly, this is only the beginning. The next phase will focus on turning the Strategic Plan into action by making sure the goals and priorities identified by the community are delivered through real projects, programs and opportunities.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this important day for the Corporation and the Kokatha community.