AUTHORISATION INFORMATION MEETING FOR A NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION AGREEMENT
YIITHUWARRA NATIVE TITLE GROUP
Cape York United #1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)
Tuesday 19 August 2025
Cooktown Events Centre (formerly PCYC), Cooktown
This notice is to advise that the Applicant in the Cape York United #1 (CYU#1) will convene a decision-making meeting on Tuesday 19 August 2025 in Cooktown for the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group to consider whether to authorise a proposed native title agreement under s.87A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) for a determination of native title over the area outlined in purple shown on the map below. Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will facilitate the meeting on behalf of the Applicant in the CYU#1 Claim.
Section 87A 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. If the meeting on Tuesday 19 August 2025 decides to authorise the proposed s.87A native title agreement, the determination will then be sought in the Federal Court. The Court may list a hearing for consent determination on Thursday 23 October 2025 for the area bordered with a purple line on the map above and identified as “Yiithuwarra Native Title Agreed Area”.
A copy of the proposed s.87A native title agreement for a determination of native title for the areas shown on the map above will be available at the meeting on Tuesday 19 August 2025. At the request of the Applicant in the CYU#1 Claim, CYLC staff and consultants will be in attendance at the meeting to be available to explain matters such as the meaning and effect of the proposed agreements. Any person attending the meeting will be able to ask questions about the proposed agreements and state their views about the proposed agreements.
Who is invited to attend the meeting and workshop?
The 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)
- Ngapurwili
- Yebonini
- Odhay
- Warreygini (Kitty)
- Wilurinta
- Yamburunda
- In-girr (German Harry)
- Albert Barrow Point
- Rosie (wife of Albert Barrow Point)
- Aiejene (Jimmy Robinson)
- Akawaljuli (father of Wondal Charlie Monaghan)
- Ekanjim (mother of Wondal Charlie Monaghan)
- Tommy Merrilees
- Thalnggulu
- Akuthirarka
- Otorro
- Ngamu Dhaarridyin
- Charlie Tarpaulin
- Thilkwuna (Nellie Robinson)
- Wandyarriiny (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)
Any person who is a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above is invited to attend this meeting. Please contact the CYLC Anthropology Unit 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.
The meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025
Venue: Cooktown Events Centre (formerly PCYC Cooktown), 3 May Street, Cooktown
Time: 9:30am – 2pm
Purpose of the Authorisation Meeting
The purpose of the Authorisation Meeting on Tuesday 19 August 2025 is to decide whether or not to approve the proposed s.87A native title agreement for a consent determination of native title for the area shown on the map above. The agenda of the meeting will be to consider whether the persons present:
- agree and adopt a decision-making process;
- agree to the proposed s.87A agreement for a determination of native title; and
- agree to nominate a corporation (a “prescribed body corporate” or “PBC”) to represent the native title holders identified in the proposed agreement for a determination of native title over the proposed determination area*.
*At the request of the Yiithuwarra Native Title Group, a further workshop will be held on Monday 18 August 2025 at 9:30am – 12:30pm at Cooktown Events Centre for participants to discuss the nomination of the PBC and the proposed structure. See attached notice for details.
If you have queries about the purpose of the s.87A Authorisation Meeting, please contact Legal Officer Fiona Beman on 0491 136 144 or free call number 1800 623 548 or by email fbeman@cylc.org.au.
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 12 August 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.
