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Latest news on issues affecting Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay people

Aboriginal Women to Gather on Gamilaraay Country to Speak for Water in Landmark River Festival

Growing Up on the Mehi will bring together Elders and Aboriginal women from across the northern Murray–Darling Basin for a two-day gathering in Moree, 25–26 June 2026.

In recognition of the ongoing, unceded possession by Aboriginal people of the natural waterways, a landmark three-day event led by and for Aboriginal women will take place in Moree, North West NSW, this June. It will mark a historic moment in the fight for First Nations water justice in Australia’s largest river system.

Growing Up on the Mehi will bring together Aboriginal women from across the northern Murray–Darling Basin at Moree, to share river stories from Elders, hear from water experts, and produce a formal statement of intent to government on their demands for Country and water.

The event is hosted by the Mehi Centre, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, and the Murray–Darling Conservation Alliance. 

Upload Media Release here:

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Murray Darling Basin Plan Review Submission May 2026

My submission (Mehi Centre) to the Murray Darling Basin Plan Review on changes to Water Act.
* Clear statement on obligation to advance First Nation Rights
* Recognition of 'cultural water'
* Recognition and support for water buy backs for Aboriginal owned water entitlements
* For restitution of lost water rights, establish a First Nation levy on agricultural exports that use water

Submission Mdbp Review 2026 Pdf

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Santos PR offensive falls on hollow ground 26/09/2025

Santos' latest public relations campaign using two state premiers at a recent Energy Symposium (Peter Malinauskus and Chris Minns) and through a sponsorship deal with the Koori Knockout. Neither have respected the wishes of traditional owners in Gomeroi country or the ongoing litigation to keep our country free of gas desecration of our country and its waters.

DISPUTE OVER SANTOS SPONSORSHIP AT KOORI KNOCKOUT — Ngaarda Media

Traditional owners slam state premiers for 'disgraceful' call to push ahead with Santos gas project - ABC News

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Media Release 25 September 25 Pdf

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Traditional owner takes on Woodside 6/06/25

BREAKING: "Minister Watt agrees to give me 3 days notice before any North West Shelf final decision, as revealed in my Federal Court hearing today.

The Federal Court has ordered that ‘Raelene Cooper v Minister for Environment and Water’ will be heard in the week of July 14.

The Court noted today the Minister’s agreement to give me three business days’ notice before he announces any final approval decision for the North West Shelf.

That gives me the opportunity to consider an injunction to prevent the Minister from making a final decision to approve the North West Shelf extension before determining my Section 10 application.

I commenced proceedings in the Federal Court in Sydney to force Murray Watt to address my application for protection of the Murujuga rock art under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

I originally brought this application in early 2022 when I learned how my cultural heritage would be affected if industry was allowed to continue expanding on Murujuga, including Woodside’s North West Shelf extension.

I instructed my lawyers at Johnson Legal to commence proceedings to require the Minister to do his Ministerial duty and make a decision. If the Minister waits any longer, there will be nothing left to protect.

If the Minister approves the North West Shelf extension before addressing my application, he will be locking in the very threat that I have sought to prevent.

The Minster does not even have the respect to come and see for himself what he will be allowing Woodside to destroy.

I have had to travel to Sydney to seek legal relief from the ravages of Woodside, the WA government and now the federal government who are willing to destroy Murujuga for corporate greed. At least the whole of Australia now knows about the dirty deals that have been allowed to take place in Western Australia for many years, the worst of which is the North West Shelf extension." Raelene Cooper.

Traditional custodian readies for 'challenge' over North West Shelf gas project extension

Gomeroi vs Santos Decision - May 19, 2025

Traditional owners disgusted as Native Title Tribunal ticks off Santos' Narrabri Gas Project. 

Statement by Polly Cutmore, "Native Title Tribunal handed down their judgement on Gomeroi vs Santos Narrabri Gas Project. IT has been given conditional approval with the main claim that overall the Project will deliver a 'net benefit' to the community.

This is based on the assumption that all the gas will go to the domestic market.  How the government is going to ensure this?

No compensation for loss of native title rights over the area, No surety that no damage will be done. What did Gomeroi people get? A 'strengthening of cultural heritage protections' and a ranger program. All overseen by Santos Ltd.

Full credit to the Traditional owners who tried to hold Santos to account, your efforts were not in vain as the whole world knows about this struggle now."

Mehicentre Media Release 20 May 2025 Pdf

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