Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation (ARAC)
Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation (ARAC) was established to receive a range of payments relating to Aboriginal land use from the Anindilyakwa Land Council. At the direction of Anindilyakwa traditional owners (traditional owners), ARAC provides those funds to the Anindilyakwa Mining Trust and other organisations across the Groote Archipelago to support achieving traditional owner aspirations in relation to economic and community development, infrastructure and services, as well as delivering infrastructure and housing projects where required.
In addition to the above functions, in 2022 ARAC was approved by the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians to hold and administer the Groote Archipelago Township Lease (Township Lease).
In accordance with the wishes of the traditional owners, ARAC is responsible for the administration of the Township Lease and land tenure arrangements in the three major communities of the Groote Archipelago, as well as four satellite communities. Learn more about the Groote Archipelago Township Lease.
ARAC Board of Directors
ARAC is incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. Its board of directors is made up of a majority of traditional owners, with a number of independent directors to support its governance and management.
Elma Yantarrnga
Elma is a well-respected Anindilyakwa leader and a passionate advocate for her community. Elma has worked for the ALC Community Support Program for a number of years, and also sits on several boards, including the Anindilyakwa Land Council Board and Finance Committee, Anindilyakwa Mining Trust, Groote Aqua Aboriginal Corporation and Groote Holdings Aboriginal Corporation. Elma is committed to improving the lives of her people and setting them for up for future success.
James Durrilla
James is an emerging Anindilyakwa leader who has extensive background serving on several boards, including the Anindilyakwa Land Council Board and Finance Committee, Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation, and Anindilyakwa Mining Trust. James is also the Vice-chairperson and Treasurer of the Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation. Before this role, James worked as a team leader with the ALC Royalty Development Unit liaising with Traditional Owners and other corporations on the Groote Archipelago. James previously worked for GEMCO for 5 years, in the drill and blast section. James has obtained strong financial management and governance skills through his various roles and he is passionate about helping the satellite communities, and ensuring money is allocated fairly and efficiently for the whole community.
Lionel Jaragba
Lionel is a senior Anindilyakwa cultural man and leader of his clan. Lionel has extensive experience running numerous local businesses as well as serving on multiple boards. This includes stints serving as Deputy Chair of the Anindilyakwa Land Council and Councillor of the East Arnhem Regional Council. Lionel also serves on the boards of Anindilyakwa Advancement Aboriginal Corporation, which is majority owner in the traditional owner-led Winchelsea Mining project, and Groote Holdings Aboriginal Corporation, which oversees major projects on Groote Eylandt for the benefit of all clan groups. Lionel is a passionate advocate for his people and is focused on setting up a sustainable future post-mining.
Simone Yantarrnga
Simone is a strong Anindilyakwa woman who is committed to serving her people and the broader community. Simone currently works for the ALC Community Support Program, which delivers a range of community programs across the Groote Archipelago. Simone also has experience sitting on a number of important boards including the Anindilyakwa Land Council and the Anindilyakwa Mining Trust.
Tony Wurramarrba AO
Tony is a well-known and widely respected senior Anindilyakwa man and a strong spokesperson for his people. Tony has had an extensive and committed career advocating for the priorities of the Anindilyakwa people and has provided service to the Anindilyakwa Land Council for almost 20 years, during which time he has held positions of Chair and Deputy Chair. In Australia Day Honours 2013, Tony was recognised for his outstanding service to the Indigenous community of the Groote Archipelago when he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. Tony also serves on the Board of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation and the Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) Foundation.
Adam Simpson
Adam is a Director of the law firm Simpsons and heads the firm’s Dispute Resolution group. He was the Managing Director of the firm from 2007 to 2017 and has been with the firm since 1997. He has worked in London in a specialist media firm, in intellectual property barristers’ chambers, with a High Court judge, for a human rights organisation and at a multinational firm. He is also admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the High Court of New Zealand. His practice areas include copyright, dispute resolution, intellectual property, museums and galleries, music, publishing and live performance.
John Cunningham OAM FCPA
John has over 30 years in senior management roles in the mining industry. Following his retirement as the Chief Financial Officer of Argyle Diamond Mines he was the founding Director of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, which works with Indigenous communities in pursuit of its vision for all Aboriginal Australians to have an enriching and successful education and a wide range of career and life choices. John has over 20 years experience as a Trustee and Director of various Aboriginal Trusts and corporations, and in 2017 was awarded with an Order of Australia Medal for his services in working with Indigenous communities.
Simon Longstaff AO FCPA
Simon is the Executive Director of The Ethics Centre. He began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.
ARAC staff
The ARAC Board of Directors are well supported in the administration of the Groote Archipelago Township Lease by the purpose established Lease Management Unit.
The Lease Management Unit is led by the Executive Officer, and supported by the Operations Officer who are responsible for the day to day administration of the Township Lease and working with traditional owners and community residents on land use and sublease income expenditure in their communities
