BOYAGIN ROCK PICNIC AREA TO RECEIVE A FACELIFT

On Thursday 7^th July 2016 Ministers Terry Redman and Mia Davies announced the successful recipients of the 2016 Community Chest Fund, a Royalties for Regions programme. Notably, Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation, as a key stakeholder in the Boyagin Rock Redevelopment Project championed by the Pingelly Tourism Group, were successful in receiving close to $48,000 toward a project to redevelop the Boyagin Rock Day-use Area. This is a community initiative under the umbrella of Boyagin Rock Working Committee (BRWC) which comprises representation from the Pingelly Tourism Group, DPaW, Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation and members of the Pingelly Noongar community.

In his media statement Minister Redman stated The Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation will receive $47,640 to upgrade tourist facilities at Boyagin Rock.

The Minister said the fund supported region-specific priorities driven by local communities to develop infrastructure, services and community projects that helped build vibrant regions with strong economies.

Members of the BRWC with WDC CEO Wendy Newman and Ministers Terry Redman and Mia Davies

The RforR funding certificate for Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation

This announcement adds to funding already received from the WA Department for Aboriginal Affairs for Preservation of Aboriginal Heritage Listed Sites. Boyagin Rock is heritage listed and is of significant cultural value to the Noongar peoples. Other stakeholders in this redevelopment project include DPaW and the Shires of Brookton and Pingelly.

This project started back in early 2013 with the establishment of the BRWC, a sub-committee of the Pingelly Tourism Group. The initial stages involved creation of a Master Plan funded by Lotterywest and a series of many meetings and discussions with the traditional owners. Over time and with much patience it became clear there was much common ground in the support of the concept to use the project to promote tourism, enhance visitor experience, promote indigenous culture and to provide a place of educational experiences for schools and visitors in general. The BRWC are now in a position to “get things happening” at Boyagin Rock and we hope to commence works at the site in the spring of 2016.

A copy of the draft site plan is included so that readers can get some idea of what to expect once the redevelopment works are completed. Click Here to View.

The BRWC acknowledges the efforts of all stakeholders and its volunteer members in reaching this important milestone. We will post updates as we progress.

Vince Holt
Project Coordinator
Boyagin Rock Working Committee.