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Big year for Babbarra Women's Governance Group

15 January 2018

Story by Ingrid Johanson

Babbarra Women’s Centre held their final meeting of the year for the Bábbarra Women’s Governance Group for 2017.
The Bábbarra Women’s Governance Group had met all year, every 6-8 weeks and includes around 10-20 women who meet on country. Every time they meet, they make decisions and discuss all things relating to Bábbarra Women’s Centre as well as women’s livelihoods in Maningrida and on surrounding homelands. 
These meetings will continue into 2018, and all women from Maningrida are welcome to attend these meetings and raise issues important to them and their families. 
This year the Governance Group has visited various homelands, including Ji-marda, Buluhkaduru, Bolkdjam, Ji Balbal, Gochan Jiny-jirra and Djin.garr. 
The group has discussed and made strong decisions on various issues including women’s health care, CDP issues, homelands support, Bábbarra exhibitions, projects and travel, new infrastructure developments, language and cultural documentation and a youth strategy to encourage more young women into meaningful work.
On behalf of Ingrid Johanson Manager and Jess Phillips Assistant Manager, thank you to the Bábbarra Women’s Governance Group for your hard work and strength in 2017. Your work supporting the wellbeing and livelihoods of women in Maningrida and surrounding homelands is formidable, with a particular thank you to the following women:  
Belinda Kernan (op shop/artist), Belinda Kurriniya (artist), Pamela Gibson (printer), Jennifer Gandjalamirriwuy (artist/printer), Linda Gurawana (cleaner/printer), Elizabeth Kalakala (printer), Jocelyn Koyole (printer), Janet Marawarr (artist/printer), Deborah Wurrkidj (artist/printer), Helen Lanyinwanga (artist/printer), Jacinta Lamilami (artist/printer), Jennifer Wurrkidj (artist/printer), Glenda James (op-shop/printer), Kylie Hall (artist/printer), Lucy Yararwanga (artist/printer), Maizie Gularrbangga (cleaning/printer), Phyllis Dungudja (sewer), Raylene Stewart (sewer), Michelle Kamaranga (cleaner, general), Susan Marawarr (artist/printer), Lennie Goya Airra (supervisor) and Raylene Bonson (supervisor).