Poster from the 1946 Pilbara Strike

Longstanding fight for rights

After years of injustices and being treated like slaves, in 1946 station workers of the Pilbara and southern Kimberley staged a strike to fight for better wages and conditions. It was a remarkable feat of organisation, as people were not allowed to travel without permission and could not cross the 26th parallel. Under the guise of organising ceremony, the organisers travelled from station to station and so were able to coordinate the strike that achieved national recognition. Wangka Maya celebrated the 75th anniversary of the strike in 2021.

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Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre

Keeping language strong

Servicing over 30 language groups of the Pilbara, Wangka Maya was the first Aboriginal language centre in the north. Established in 1987, elders committed to preserving their language, culture and...

Address:

Cnr Hamilton and Throssell Roads
South Hedland WA 6722
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9172 2344

Email:

manager@wangkamaya.org.au

Open Hours

Mon to Fri 8:30am – 4:30 pm

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Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre Overview

Clapsticks and spear thrower

Culture and language

The resonant sound of wooden clapping sticks conjures images of dancing on the red earth of the north. Sitting alongside this beautifully engraved spear thrower in a cabinet at the entrance to Wangka...

Photograph by Tobias Titz, from the 1967 referendum exhibition, The Right to be Heard

Remembering the 1967 Referendum

Engaging with the younger generation to reflect on the past struggles of Aboriginal people is key to Wangka Maya’s philosophy. Using the medium of photography the organisation co-curated an exhibition...