Yued Corporation celebrates Moora land acquisition

The country town of Moora, 177 km north of Perth in Western Australia, will see a significant investment from the Yued Aboriginal Corporation over the coming year after it recently acquired premises in the area.

Representing the interests of Yued Traditional Owners of 26,000 square kilometres of Boodja, Yued Aboriginal Corporation is set on a path to become a significant landholder and investor in the coastal and Central Midlands.

The property purchase was assisted by a 50 per cent contribution from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

Local businessman Peter Johns, Yued elder Colin Headland and Elders realtor Jeff Bruce.

The new premises will become an administrative hub for the corporation’s land management, heritage, economic development and community projects.

The next stage will be the appointment of architects to engage in community consultation and design concept drawings for the redevelopment of the site.

Important move

Colin Headland, Yued Elder and Moora resident said the he first saw the ‘For Sale’ sign go up on the land he thought this would be the perfect place for the corporation.

“It’s in the centre of town. With our name on it. With our name on it, everyone can see it.

“You couldn’t get a better place than here.”

Rewi Lyall, Chief Executive Officer, Yued Aboriginal Corporation, said it was important to have an office in the town.

“But we wanted to make sure we did it the right way,” he said.

“We’re grateful for the support from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and pleased that this is an asset owned by Yued Aboriginal Corporation.”

Joe Morrison, Group Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, said his organisation was very happy to support Yued Aboriginal Corporation’s purchase of the property.

“We know Yued have waited a while to revive their interests in Moora, and this step is an important one on the path to greater self-determination and brighter futures for Yued families,” he said.

Role to play in the community

Jeff Bruce, from Elders Real Estate, said his company was pleased to have worked on the transaction.

‘Not just because we’ve finally got the sale across the line, but because we’re convinced that Yued Aboriginal Corporation will have an important role to play in the regional economy,” he said.

“We can’t wait to see how the corporation uses the site and how it builds from here over the decades to come.”

Previous owner Peter Johns, of Western Decorating, was impressed with the passion and commitment to the Yued community.

“I wanted this to be for Yued, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to make that happen,” he said.