Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation appoint new CEO

The next chapter in the $500 million Yamatji Nation Agreement has been written, with the selection of a CEO to run the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation and the deal sealed on a new headquarters in Geraldton.

The YSRC’s new CEO is Jamie Strickland, pictured above, who previously served as Mid West regional director for the Department of Communities.

He said he was looking forward to a new challenge.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the prospect of building a strong and capable corporation that will drive significant opportunity for the Yamatji Nation, and also the Mid West,” he said.

The YSRC is the result of a merger between four Indigenous groups, and oversees the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement. The agreement covers 48,000sqkm, and includes payments totalling $325m over 15 years, as well as assets to empower traditional owners.

“The hard work to date of the traditional owner negotiation team and the board should be absolutely commended and has laid a solid path for exciting times ahead,” Mr Strickland said.

The YSRC has also finalised the purchase of a new base and begun operating out of the new space on Wiebbe Hayes Lane.

“This places the corporation front and centre in the community to conduct our business, and allow accessibility for our members and stakeholders,” chairperson Ross Councillor said.

The corporation will begin recruiting an operational team, with the focus on hiring local people.