Peter Murray steps down from YAC after ten years at the helm; fifteen years looking after country

It is with mixed emotions that I’m standing down as Chief Executive of Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation after 15 years of dedicated service. I started my journey with Ngurrara as the Working on Country Coordinator, employed through the Kimberley Land Council. I loved the opportunity to learn from the old people and to work on our land as a ranger. I did this for about three years, before taking on the Indigenous Protected Area Land Manager’s position, and then finally transitioning to Chief Executive Officer.

This was a role I held for ten years.

One of the highlights of my time as CEO was working to build the capabilities of the organisation and the capacity of the staff, especially through mentoring our men’s and women’s ranger coordinators, Chantelle Murray and Frankie McCarthy. I am grateful to my elders who accepted me in this leadership role and continued to teach and to guide me on a traditional level. For ten years I was able to fulfil my passion to be out on my country, to look after my country, and to create opportunities for other Ngurrara people to do the same. My elders lifted me up to the level where I could do this. Managing Yanunijarra presented many challenges, which have helped to shape the leader I am today. I am very grateful for this.

I stayed with Yanunijarra for fifteen years—a long time to serve in any organisation—because of my love and passion for managing our native title lands. I saw the number of rangers grow and the number of Traditional Owners getting back out onto country increase every year. I’ve seen our organisation spread its wings and become self-reliant and sustainable. I’ve seen traditional knowledge passed on to our young people.

This is where the future of our organisation lies.

It’s now time to step back. There are many young people coming up with views on how our land can be best managed and I encourage them to come forward and to put their hands up for the CEO position. It’s a really good opportunity for members interested in the kinds of projects Yanunijarra delivers to grow their leadership and their capacity.

In the short term, Kevin Tromp will be interim General Manager, working closely with our Ngurrara Men and Women’s ranger coordinators. Over the next 3—6 months Kevin will be responsible for recruiting a new Ngurrara Healthy Country Manager and new Chief Executive; he’ll also ensure our compliance is up to scratch and the day-to-day operations continue smoothly.

While I am sad to be leaving Yanunijarra I’m excited about the opportunity ahead—I’ve been asked to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC).

This is a great privilege, and I am eager to throw myself into the challenge ahead.

I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to my elders, community, family, colleagues and friends who have supported me, believed in me and stood by me through thick and thin on this long journey.

— Peter Murray, Former Yanunijarra CEO