About BAC
The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (BAC) was established in September 2014 as a prescribed body corporate to manage the native title rights of the Butchulla people. Following the historic Native Title determination two months later, BAC formally became a registered native title body corporate.
As expressed by Kyleigh Currie following Native Title determination, "For many decades we fought a tough legal campaign which has now come out right. The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation will progress our rights and develop a vision for the future of the island—K’gari."
Principles
BAC works towards four guiding pillars on behalf of our people. These are set out in our rule book as follows:
Relieve poverty and disadvantage of the Butchulla People through the advancement of education, health, social or public welfare, and culture (the corporation’s principal objective);
Protect, manage, maintain and monitor Butchulla country and Aboriginal cultural heritage;
Promote the practice of, and respect for the traditional cultural practices of the Butchulla People;
Strengthen and develop the capacity of the Butchulla People through caring, sharing and economic investment in Butchulla country, intellectual property, and cultural practices.
Strategic Business Plan
Our Strategic Business Plan (2020-2030) was developed to guide the operations of BAC. The Plan seeks to assert and support Butchulla People’s
fundamental rights to self-determination, economic development and sustainable livelihoods through respect for our knowledge
systems and our ongoing role as custodians of K’gari. It is our path towards our Vision - "To empower Butchulla People – in accordance with our traditional laws/lores – to care for K’gari, and build strong partnerships to maintain K’gari’s unique cultural and natural values and generate sustainable livelihoods in line with our traditional obligations and future aspirations."
The Plan sets out four key priority areas:
Environment - Reinforcing our primary role in managing K’gari’s cultural and natural values
Economy - Developing sustainable income streams and livelihood opportunities
Culture - Protecting and revitalising Butchulla culture
Leadership - Strengthening partnerships and governance arrangements
Governance
The BAC supports continuous and ongoing liaison with the broader community and Butchulla People through maintaining an open and highly visible office premises. The Board of Directors (seven in total) meet six times a year and is supported by an Elders Committee that meets quarterly. The Elders Committee is made up of two representatives from each of the thirteen descent groups defined through the native title process. Each of the Elder representatives is expected to consult with their individual families (descent groups). An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is also held for all members (approximately 250 Butchulla People) to attend. A high-level summary of BAC’s governance and partnership
arrangements is illustrated below.
Board Members:
Christine Royan, Conway Burns, Gayle Minniecon, Fiona Foley, Jade Gould, Phyllis Freeman, Tor-Quaisia Robe-Broome
