Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group EOI

The WARG was first established in 2017 to facilitate consultation with the Western Australian Aboriginal community. Its purpose was to provide cultural advice to RIA on the conservation and interpretation of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground and the Quod.

Over time, the WARG’s role has evolved. It now provides advice on non-legislative Aboriginal cultural heritage and reconciliation matters.

The purpose of the WARG is to provide information to the RIA Board and Executive Director in accordance with the WARG members’ knowledge and demonstrated experience on:

1. Non-legislative Aboriginal cultural heritage matters
2. Reconciliation implementation and frameworks
3. Current museum and collections management

The WARG has substantially contributed to increased engagement between RIA, the Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal community.

Key achievements include:

• overseeing the return of the Quod to RIA management in 2018;
• refurbishment and renaming of the Wadjemup Museum in 2020;
• development and delivery of the Innovate RAP (2020-2025); and
• developing the upcoming Stretch RAP (2026-2029).

Respecting and engaging with the island’s Aboriginal cultural heritage is a key strategic focus area in the Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023-28. RIA’s Reconciliation Action Plan outlines a key deliverable to Maintain an Aboriginal reference group to provide Reconciliation and cultural heritage advice for the lifetime of the RAP 2025-2028.

A primary element in the island’s cultural heritage and reconciliation journey is to protect, promote and amplify the stories, heritage and culture ingrained in the island.

The WARG’s role is to provide advice on nonlegislative Aboriginal cultural heritage management, and reconciliation matters including museum and collection management.

Expressions of interest are sought from Western Australian Aboriginal people who can demonstrate experience in one or more of the following criteria: 

• promoting reconciliation 
• promoting Aboriginal employment and cultural safety 
• developing current museum content and collection management practices 
• developing Aboriginal economic development opportunities, including procurement opportunities 
• operating Aboriginal cultural tourism 
• undertaking natural resource management 
• developing and implementing research programs, or 
• developing educational and training opportunities for Aboriginal youth. 

In addition to the members’ experience detailed above, the WARG will also need to demonstrate adequate representation of the following interests: 

• Aboriginal peoples and groups whose ancestors were imprisoned on Rottnest Island 
• men’s and women’s interests; and 
• youth interests. 

WARG members should have familial connection to Western Australian Aboriginal cultural groups, to reflect the island’s State-wide significance. 

The WARG aim to be inclusive by ensuring gender balance of membership and equal representation for all Aboriginal Peoples with ties to the island. Therefore, this is open to all suitably-qualified Aboriginal people from Western Australia.

WARG meets at least four times a year. Additional meetings can be held at the discretion of the Chair, WARG or Executive Director. 

WARG members are remunerated in accordance with Premier’s Circular 2023/02 State Government Boards and Committees. The sitting fees for the WARG as of 2026 are: 

• Chair: $563/full day; $366/half day 
• Member: $366/full day; $238/half day 
• One-on-one consultation rate: $100/hr 

RIA will cover all travel costs for committee members when undertaking work in their capacity as a WARG Member. Travel reimbursement rates are in line with the Australian Taxation Office. 

The Wadjemup Project is separate from and not led by the WARG.

In June 2020, the then-Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Ben Wyatt LLB MSc MLA, and the Minister for Tourism, the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, announced the commencement of the Wadjemup Project—a historic initiative to reconcile the history of Aboriginal people’s imprisonment on Wadjemup between 1838 and 1931.

The Project is one of the first large-scale and genuine acts of recognition of the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This initiative included the establishment of a cultural authority process to lead statewide engagement with the Aboriginal community as part of Stage One of the Project.

In 2023, the State Government committed $27.5 million to Stage Two of the Wadjemup Project. This stage focuses on acknowledging the history and ongoing impacts of Aboriginal incarceration and segregation on Wadjemup between 1838 and 1931.

Stage Two of the Wadjemup Project is a Whadjukled, statewide Aboriginal consultation process. This is overseen by the Whadjuk Wadjemup Cultural Authority which was elected during Stage One of the Project. Stage Two is currently nearing completion, with key outcomes including the memorialisation of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground, which is due to be completed by the end of 2026.

Applicants should address one or more of the selection criteria (in two pages or less) and provide a CV with details of qualifications, experience and /or expertise. Connections to Wadjemup should also be communicated. 

Expressions of interest have now closed for the Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group.

A panel including representatives from the RIA and the Aboriginal community will assess all submissions against the identified criteria ensuring adequate representation as described. Assessments will be through EOI submissions only.