The Ganalili Centre

In 2014, the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) purchased the Victoria Hotel in Roebourne for more than $2 million, as a commitment to improving the quality of life of its people based in Roebourne through the creation of economic opportunities.

This commitment resulted in an innovative partnership between YAC and the Federal and State governments to transform the ageing historic building.

A creative Procurement Plan, incorporating an Aboriginal Engagement and Employment Model to support local Aboriginal employment and contract opportunities, has led to outstanding results, including project targets for Aboriginal employment hours being exceeded more than four times over.

Among those working on the major renovation and reconstruction of the hotel were inmates from the Roebourne Regional Prison through the Department of Justice; school-based trainees from Roebourne District High School; and participants registered with the local Community Development Program provider.

In addition, YAC contracted a joint venture between the Geraldton Building and Services Company (GBSC) and Yurra, a Pilbara-based Aboriginal contracting and services company, to deliver the project.

Representing cultural and entrepreneurial opportunity, the Victoria Hotel, to be formally opened as the Ganalili Centre in 2019-20, also reflects self-empowerment and the power of collaboration.

In June 2019, the project was awarded a Bronze Award in 'Best Practice in Collaboration Between Government and Non-Government Organisations' from the Institute of Public Administration Australia.