Our Journey


Yarkuwa is a Traditional Owner organisation based in the town of Deniliquin in the Riverina Region of New South Wales. It was formed in 2003 to ensure traditional owner knowledge was preserved in future generations


The aims of the organisation are:
  • To collate and maintain cultural, heritage and environmental information as it relates to Wamba Wamba and Perrepa Perrepa country. 
  • To provide an educational service to the wider community including schools and community groups. 
  • To engage in negotiations with Local, State and Federal and other agencies on matters relating to culture, heritage and the environment.     
  • To provide the means for members to develop skills that will allow them to be involved in the provision of educational and research services.       
  • To provide a centre to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next.
  • To acquire and hold title to land and water for the purposes of economic and cultural development

Awards

2004
Deniliquin Business Award for Innovative Contribution from the Indigenous Community

2005
Deniliquin Business Award for Innovative Contribution from the Indigenous Community
NSW Premiers Publics Sector Award  - Bronze Award Yarkuwa, NSW State Forests and TAFE NSW

2006
TAFE NSW Gilli Award for Industry partnership - Yarkuwa, NSW State Forests and TAFE NSW

2009
Murray Catchment Natural Resource management Award MLDRIN Indigenous Award
NSW Landcare Awards 3rd Place in Indigenous Awards

2017
Jeanette Crew  NSW Museums and Galleries Imaging Awards – Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Culture in NSW

2018
Deniliquin Australia Day Certificate of Achievement , Bill Hermiston Memorial Environmental Award (Deniliquin Lagoon Group)
Finalist Innovation Category Deniliquin Business Awards

Project timeline

​2000-2003
  • Denilquin TAFE project building local research skills
2002
  • Local Historic Photo Exhibition
2003
  • Registration of Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre Aboriginal Corporation
  • NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs Major Grant
2004
  • NSW Protecting our Places Project
2007-2008
  • NSW Environment Trust Project – Asset Based Community Development and Environmental projects
2009
  • Community Support Service (CSS) later Indigenous Community Links (ICL)  Commonwealth - Deniliquin and Balranald
  • Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) Commonwealth – Deniliquin and Balranald
  • Indigenous Sports Grants (Commonwealth)
  • NSW Carers Research Project
  • Werai Indigenous Protected Area Consultation Project (Commonwealth) 
2012
  • Research partnership, Macquarie University - Changing social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people and families in Deniliquin 1965-2015 
2016
  • Local Landcare Coordinator Initiative 
2017 (2019)
  • Tityap Telkaya Indigenous Advancement Strategy
2018 (2021)
  • NSW Carer Investment Program  
2003 - Present  
  • Cultural heritage assessments
  • Participation in regional Natural Resource Management Advisory Committees
  • NAIIDCO and Reconciliation Events
  • Local Celebrations of culture
  • Family research
  • Submissions to Government
 
2009 - Present
  • Language Project including Indigenous Languages and Arts program (Commonwealth) and Our Languages Our Way (NSW)
  • Involvement in Aboriginal Languages strategies and recent consultation about the NSW Aboriginal Languages Bill
  • Arts projects including Regional Arts Funding (NSW), Arts NSW Exhibition Funding
  • Annual Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Cultural Celebrations in October