Palyo Andrea Mason, farewell.

Farewell message from exiting CEO, Andrea Mason OAM.

Formed in 1980 with Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) women holding fire in their bellies alongside their non-Indigenous friends, NPY Women’s Council is an extraordinary Australian story of resistance, resilience, and joy in the face of many challenges. 

Western culture, with its political and social ideology, encroached into central Australia’s NPY region at the start of the 1930s – only less than 100 years ago. Before then, my family, the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara peoples, lived their lives as they had done since forever.  I have explained the introduction and experience of western culture to many Anangu/Yarnangu living in remote communities like drinking from a fire hose - too much, too fast.

NPY Women’s Council was formed fifty years after the first non-Aboriginal people arrived in the region. How close this history is, explains why the Council is understood to be a safeguarding measure for Anangu/Yarnangu.

NPY Women’s Council is a welcoming and comfortable place for stories to be told and where we support Anangu/Yarnangu to walk in two worlds.  It’s a place for truth telling in women’s law and culture gatherings, general meetings, casework meetings, youth activities, tjanpi workshops, bush workshops and events through our Uti Kulintjaku minymaku (women) and watiku (men) groups to name a few.  These conversations keep the work honest and transparent and in good hands.

I have no doubt the incoming CEO (soon to be announced) will work with, for and through the members, directors, and staff to execute the vision of grandmothers, the hope of mothers and the dreams of daughters. I look forward to reading and hearing about these achievements in the future. Minyma Council has always had support of key NPY men and so I acknowledge the wisdom of grandfathers, and the instructions and mentoring done by brothers and uncles.

I finish my time with NPY Women’s Council (11 years all up) this Friday 26 June 2026. Working for the Council has shaped me into a stronger person, a ninti  (knowledgeable, insightful) leader and malpa (friend).  I may have received personal honours over the years, but I acknowledge the team in NPY Women’s Council and other former workplaces, who made it all possible. The chairpersons I have worked with over the years need a special mention; Margaret Smith (NT), Yanyi Bandicha (SA), Maimie Butler (WA) and Ingrid Simms (WA) they gave me a tri-state chairing experience!

Over the past 12 months and indeed 11 years, I have worked with wonderful leaders in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector, in governments and with key allies informally and formally.  I wish everyone I have worked with in organisations, on committees and projects, all the best as you lean into better ways and solutions for First Nations people. A couple of opportunities I will continue such as Stories of Female Leadership in Jawun. I especially thank Professor Marcia Langton AO for her support over the years including when she was Patron of NPY Women’s Council for ten years.

I can genuinely say my heart is filled with hope and excitement, because I know better days are ahead for the women of the NPY Lands and the staff who work alongside them to deliver our many services, advocacy, and activities. Women’s Council staff are incredible, and I have appreciated every day through the good and hard days, their kindness and true grit to keep making a difference.

The incoming CEO will enable the Council to continue to have meaningful impact in the region and beyond. For now, I look forward to several months of recharging and resetting future goals with an eye on 2027, to return to new opportunities and always with the best interest of central Australia in mind.  No doubt I’ll be supporting NPY Women’s Council, one way or another as is the norm for many former staff members.

Palya

Andrea Mason OAM
Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjatjara (southern)