About The Boab Network

Brief History

water holeMowanjum is the current home of the Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wunambul tribes. Its origin is a mission that began in 1912 by the Presbyterian Church at Kunmunya for the coastal Worrora and Wunambul tribes. A key missionary in this early period was Rev J.R.B. Love who encouraged the continuation of key cultural practises. The inland Ngarinyin tribe was settled at Munja, a government feeding station. They joined the mission in 1951 when all three tribes were moved to Wotulum opposite Kulin Island. In 1956, they were moved again by government far from their ancestral lands to a 56,000 hectare pastoral lease outside Derby. There they took the name Mowanjum meaning “settled at last”. When Government ended the mission era in 1977 the community were moved again to the Gibb River Road. They began self-management through the Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation. Their  “Wandjina” culture helped keep the community together during this traumatic transition from traditional lifestyle to settled existence within a radically different culture on the foreign land of the Nykina tribe. To keep their culture alive they formed the Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Centre where they hold an annual festival each July. Under self-determination, the community has experienced increasing difficulties. In 2007 after a call for help from the Mowanjum Uniting Church because of a youth suicide crisis, the Boab Network was formed by a group in the Floreat Uniting Church. After consulting with the community, a program was initiated to engage the children and youth in a range of positive activities during school holidays. From there, the Boab Network’s role has expanded to include a number of different programs to assist the community in achieving its goals of economic independence and social sustainability through the education of its young people.

Our Vision

To walk alongside the people of the Mowanjum community.

Our Values

  • We acknowledge and draw upon our background in the Christian tradition.
  • We honour the strength, independence and culture of the people of Mowanjum.
  • We commit ourselves to developing more just, inclusive and equal relationships that recognise the place of First Peoples.
  • We seek to be inclusive of those who share our commitment to the Mowanjum people.
  • We commit to a process of reflection on all that we do.

Our Team

yarningThe Boab Network is run by volunteers of all different ages, backgrounds and beliefs. We have teachers, health and business workers, university students and tradespeople. All of our volunteers bring their own unique skills to our group. We acknowledge the value of diversity within our group and always look to add people whose skills and values are able to support our goals.

Corporate Structure/Governance

The Boab Network is a sub-committee of the Creative Living Centre, a registered not-for-profit Charity with its own constitution and Board which answers to the Council of the Floreat Uniting Church.

Our Board (Creative Living Centre)

The Boab Network is a sub-committee of the Creative Living Centre (CLC) which oversees a number of projects as part of the Floreat Uniting Church’s mission and outreach. The independent board of 12 members meets quarterly and reports to the Floreat Uniting Church Council.  External members are invited onto the board.  Members are encouraged to take on specific roles in each of our programs.

1 Chairman

Geoff Schupp is a member of Trinity North Uniting Church where he is currently a member of Church Council and a Pastoral Leader. Geoff retired from business in 2016 and became involved with Boab Network Annual Reward Camp and was co-opted to the Creative Living Centre Board in 2018. Geoff and wife Merle have 3 children and 9 grandchildren and live in Duncraig.

2 Secretary

Marie Yuncken, as a retired paediatric Occupational Therapist has had a lifelong interest in working with children and social justice programs to help others. She is one of the founding members of the Boab Network and since then has focused on activities and programs in Mowanjum and on their traditional lands.

 

3 Treasurer

Kalli Christou

4 Administrative Officer

Ashe Briscoe 

5 Other members

Lee-Anne Burnett, Gail Cresswell, Rev Reuben Edmonds, Mark Fielding, Ross Gobby, Rev Dr Robert Hoskin, Kerry Povey, Dr Richard Smith, Donna Wilson.