Wednesday 23 July 2025
PCYC, Cooktown
This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will convene a Pre-Authorisation Information Meeting on behalf of the Cape York United #1 (CYU#1) Claim Applicant on Wednesday 23 July 2025 in Cooktown to discuss the process for the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group to authorise a proposed native title agreement for a determination of native title over the area outlined in purple shown on the map below. Following the Pre-Authorisation Information Meeting, CYLC will hold a workshop to provide information about a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) for the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group.
Pre-Authorisation Information Meeting
A determination of native title involves a decision of the Federal Court. A determination of native title means that the Federal Court determines (1) who holds native title; (2) what the native title rights are; (3) the area to which the native title rights apply after any determination is made; and (4) which corporation will represent the members of the determined native title group.
Fifteen (15) days after the Pre-Authorisation Meeting on Wednesday 23 July 2025, there will be a meeting to authorise the native title agreement on Thursday 7 August 2025, where the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group will be asked to consider whether to authorise the proposed native title agreement for a determination of native title. If the Native Title Group decides to authorise the proposed agreement, the determination will then be sought in the Federal Court.
At the Pre-Authorisation Information Meeting on Wednesday 23 July 2025, the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group will also be asked to make decisions about each of the following apical ancestors, and whether they should be added to the Yiithuwarra group description (and so their descendants would be included in the group as Yiithuwarra people, if they were not already descended from a recognised ancestor) :
- Ngamu Dhaarridyin (aka Billy Hart aka Long Billy aka Billy Wardsman);
- Bujin; and
- Gungunbi.
PBC Workshop
The Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) requires a PBC to be appointed by the Federal Court to represent native title holders whenever a native title determination is made. If a native title determination is made for the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group, the Federal Court will be required to determine a PBC to represent the group. Under the NTA, it is for native title holders to nominate their PBC. Fifteen (15) days after the workshop about PBCs on Wednesday 23 July 2025, and if the Native Title Group decides to authorise the proposed native title agreement, the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group will be asked at the authorisation meeting on 7 August 2025 to nominate a new PBC for the proposed native title determination.
Who is invited to attend the meeting and workshop?
The pre-authorisation meeting and workshop is open to all descendants by birth, or adoption in accordance with traditional law and custom, of one or more of the following apical ancestors:
- Wathi (Billy Salt)
- Ngapurrwil
- Yebonini
- Odhay
- Warreygini (Kitty)
- Wilurinta
- Yamburunda
- In-girr (German Harry)
- Albert Barrow Point
- Rosie (wife of Albert Barrow Point)
- Aiejene (Jimmy Robinson)
- Akalwaljul (father of Wondal Charlie Monaghan)
- Ekanjin (mother of Wondal Charlie Monaghan)
- Tommy Merrilees
- Thalnggulu
- Akuthirarka
- Otoro
- Ngamu Dhaarridyin (aka Billy Hart aka Long Billy aka Billy Wardsman)*
- Charlie Tarpaulin
- Thilkwuna (Nellie Robinson)
- Wandyarriny (Charlie Lefthander)
- Eva (wife of Barney Laura)
- Nellie Nunggul (Yarkan)
- Jacky Red Point
- Bessie O’Burnes
- Charlie Chookie
- Thurralwinga (Alice Johnson)
- Charlie McGreen
- Harry Mole
- Tharramali
- Ngarungal
- Rosie aka Nellie (wife of Barney Laura)
- Mother of Billy Hart
- Miriam Ngamu Bandir
- Ruth Bandir (Dudur)
- Waarigan
- Minnie aka Wawumudha (wife of Norman Arrami)
- Billy (father of Dudley Bulmer)
- Dirngulu (Maggie aka Maude)
- Bujin*
- Gungunbi*
The apical ancestors above have been considered and accepted by members of the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group. In-principle agreement about these ancestors from the State of Queensland is pending. The list above may be subject to change until agreement is reached with the State of Queensland. Apical ancestors marked with an asterisk(*) will also be the subject of further decisions, to be made at the Pre-Authorisation Meeting on 23 July 2025.
Any person who is a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above is invited to attend this meeting and the workshop. Please contact CYLC if you would like to confirm whether you are a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above and so entitled to attend the meeting and workshop.
The meetings will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Times:
9:30am – 12:30pm (Pre-Authorisation meeting)
12:30pm – 1:30pm (lunch break)
1:30pm – 4:30pm (PBC Workshop)
Venue: PCYC Cooktown, 3 May Street, Cooktown
If you have queries about the purpose of the Pre-Authorisation Meeting and PBC Workshop, please contact Legal Officer Fiona Beman on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email fbeman@cylc.org.au. The location and time of the authorisation meeting on Thursday 7 August 2025 will be publicly notified and notices will be sent out to all members of the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group on the CYLC contact database in due course. Yiithuwarra Native Title Group members should use these contact details if they wish to add the name and contact information to the CYLC contact database.
IMPORTANT
Attendance, Travel Assistance & Teleconferencing
For travel assistance, to confirm your attendance or for any general queries about the meeting, please contact CYLC Business Support Officer Lee Ann Miller on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email lmiller@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance and requests must be made by 16 July 2025. Teleconferencing facilities will also be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a teleconference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact Lee Ann Miller at CYLC. CYLC is committed to providing every opportunity for eligible persons to attend the meeting.
