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At our recent Annual General Meeting, members came together to celebrate the year that was, share stories and make important decisions for the future of NPY Women’s Council.
A special thank you to our outgoing Directors for their leadership, dedication and contribution to the organisation. Their work has helped strengthen NPY Women’s Council and support Anangu women, children and families across the region.
We also welcome our newly elected Board of Directors, alongside returning Directors who continue to bring their experience and knowledge to the role.
Together, these women represent communities across the NPY region and play an important role in ensuring the voices of Anangu women continue to guide the work of our organisation.
Congratulations to all our elected Directors. We look forward to working together with strong Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara women to lead change for better days. Minyma wiru!
This Mental Health Month, Uti Kulintjaku is celebrating with the release of three new meditations and a range of community outreach activities, including visits to local schools and Alice Springs Correctional Centre. Through this work, the team hopes to share these resources and understandings more broadly within the community while expanding opportunities for intergenerational listening, thinking and understanding clearly from the perspective of Anangu.
When children and families face complex challenges, the right support matters. The Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Project brings the strength of Anangu/Yarnangu leadership to shaping what that support should look like.
From the beginning, the work has been guided by a core group of 12 Anangu/Yarnangu women from across the NPY region. These women bring cultural authority, lived experience, and deep knowledge of community life. Their leadership has shaped every stage of the project, ensuring it remains grounded in Anangu/Yarnangu priorities and ways of working.
Pictured: Back L-R - Tanya Luckey, Katie Kitson, Regina Mckay, Louise Tucker, Veronica Lewis, NPYWC employee Beverlyne Malova, Anangu Project Support Worker Rachael Stubbs, Aileen Brady. Front L-R - NPYWC Annelise Alphonse, Margaret Smith, Maimie Butler, Wanatjura Lewis, Maureen Baker, Vivian Thompson
The project began with deep listening across communities - hearing from families about their strengths, challenges, and hopes. Through workshops, bush picnics and community discussions, more than 75 Anangu/Yarnangu helped map what life looks like for families today.
This process led to the creation of a shared Theory of Change, expressed through a powerful metaphor: a Tree known as the Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Punu.
“Punu nganampa life munu kurunpa. Ngananala kurunta ngaranyi Anangu tjuta alpamilatjikitja. Nganampa punu tjukurpa tjuta tjara Anangu-Ku way.
The tree is our life, our spirit, It’s always in our hearts. It’s here to help people. Our Tree got lots of stories. It’s Anangu way.”
- Wanatjura Lewis, core group member
Pictured: A visual representation of the Tree’s structure.
The Tree represents the journey of Anangu/Yarnangu families. Its roots reflect deep cultural knowledge and strengths, the trunk shows what is needed to support families today, and the branches and their bearings represent the future the women want to grow.
Key priorities include strengthening Anangu/Yarnangu leadership in decision-making, improving collaboration between Anangu/Yarnangu and non-Indigenous staff, expanding two-way learning and cultural education, supporting young people’s pathways between school and work, and strengthening organisational systems within NPYWC to better support families.
"Ngananawangkangipununguruwatakapiungkuntja. Punupakaranyarpitjararikula healthy ngarantjaku. Family alpamilatjaku, tjitjiottumankutjaku mum wiru way nyinantjaku.
Talking about the tree. Watering the roots. Growing the tree to become good healthy leaves. Helping family to look after the kids to stay better way. To help little ones to grow up good and healthy. Look after the next generations.”
- Wanatjura Lewis, core group member
The women have emphasised that this knowledge is not new. It has always existed and belongs to Anangu/Yarnangu. As they remind us, the roots must be protected, the words must not be lost, and the Tree must continue to grow strong for future generations.
NPY Women's Council is grounded in, and continues to live and work on, the sovereign Lands of the Arrernte people, and the Aṉangu and Yarnangu people - the rightful custodians of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands.
