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Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outb

Swagging On Country is inspired by the vision of Irene Roberts (passed). It has been co-designed by Aboriginal Custodian Margaret Stewart and her family, in partnership with Geraldine Reilly. Margaret and Geraldine facilitate the immersion experiences with participation from family Elders and members of The Stewart Family.

 

“When people come they are all in their heads and when they come out Swagging they drop into their bodies and their hearts. Then they are able to open to the healing that country and our traditional ways can give them. Country does heal.” – Margie Stewart​

 

We're always on the look out for camp coordinators and volunteers to aid with the running of our programs. We'd love for you to get involved.

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Irene Roberts 

Irene Roberts, who recently passed, was Stephen’s wife and the honoured Karijarra Elder who spoke for the land that Yandeyarra and many mining companies operate within. She was the keeper of knowledge about trees and plants, bush medicines and food, and teacher of Women’s Lore, who understood the wisdom and knowledge of her country.

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Stephen Stewart

Stephen Stewart is a 100+ year old Karajarri Nyangumarta man whose knowledge is unsurpassed and revered. Known also as “Number 2”. Stephen is the head Loreman of The Pilbara and was instrumental in the Pilbara Strike, and the granting of the Yandeyarra Community.  

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Margie Stewart

Margie is Co-Founder and Partner of Swagging On Country, and a Kariyarra traditional owner and custodian who lives at Yandeyarra Community. She is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal wellbeing, inclusion and positive development, and a mother and grandmother. Margie is a great grandmother, and works as a Ranger in the Pilbara Ranger Program, as a documentary film-maker and has a landscaping business that supports the nature rehabilitation of mine sites on the country her family speaks for.  

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Gaston Stewart Coppin

Gaston Stewart Coppin is a Purungu man and male traditional owner and custodian of Yandeyarra. He is apprenticing under Stephen Stewart to become the head loreman of the Pilbara. Gaston is the partner of Jasmine Green and father of Alexis Coppin. He is a hunter and skilled craftsman who makes Aboriginal carvings from the trees at Yandeyarra. Gaston’s carvings are available for purchase through the website.

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Nanna Biddy Norman 

Nanna Biddy is aunty to Irene Roberts, custodian and senior Lorewoman for the Pilbara. She is one of the last surviving fluent Nyamal speakers who lives at Yandeyarra as a close friend and family member of the Stewart Family. Biddy is an honoured Elder, expert fisherwoman, damper maker, and teacher of Women’s Lore.

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Geraldine Reilly

Geraldine Reilly MGT AIECL is Co-Founder and Partner of Swagging On Country, an executive coach and Master’s qualified organisational and clinical psychotherapist.  

As founding partner of GRG Consulting and Oceanic Wellbeing, Geraldine has worked with a large number of companies, leaders and team members from a range of sectors to assist their self-leadership and professional and personal development.

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Jasmine Green

Jasmine Green is a partner in Swagging On Country and supports the planning and participants with her rich knowledge of Aboriginal culture.  Jasmine is a Mangala Nyulnyul woman from community near Derby, and lives at Yandeyarra with her daughter Alexis.  Taught by her grandmother Irene Roberts, Jasmine is a matriarchal custodian who shares women’s business about living on country from her younger, contemporary perspective. 

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outback Trip Custodians Stewart Family Geraldine Reilly Programs Yule River Pilbara Aboriginal Culture Family Run Community Nyamal Karijarra Indigenous Swagging

Pauline Monaghan

Pauline Monaghan is a Ngarla Nyamal matriarchal custodian. She is a family carer and has lived at Yandeyarra all her life having grown up with Margie in the community. Pauline is a damper maker, fisherwoman, and loves gathering bush foods.

“It is good to get out of the house and going out on country helps and heals me too. I love to share my culture and the things I’ve been taught from my elders.” Swagging gives me peace, especially when I’m healing from sadness.”

 Team Testimonials

Aboriginal Immersion Experience Yandeyarra Port Hedland Mining Elders Swagging on Country Swag Swags Swagging Indigenous Outb

A collection of special images with special people

Join the Team

Joining our team is a great way to experience being on Country, supporting the community and participants. There are opportunities for volunteer and paid positions in the roles of camp coordinator, cook and team leader.

 

We’re always on the look out for new team members who are easy going, and have an appreciation for the opportunity to experience Swagging on Country. Please reach out at any time through the link below.

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