The Aboriginal history of Rottnest Island will be considered before any new building or infrastructure projects are approved with the appointment of a cultural services contract. Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation will now oversee heritage approvals on the island, marking a new chapter for both the tourist destination and the newly restructured corporation.
00:00On the way to Rottnest Island, crowds of families and tourists are the norm this time of year.
00:08But for some in the crowd, it's no ordinary day, including George Hayden from the Wadjuk Aboriginal Corporation.
00:14Oh, very good day, mate, very good day. This is the first ever.
00:18The corporation has won a contract to oversee cultural heritage services on Wadjumup, or Rottnest Island.
00:24The holiday island, known for its quokkas and pristine beaches, has a dark history.
00:30Almost 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys were incarcerated here.
00:35At least 370 died and were buried on Rottnest.
00:39The number of men and boys that are buried beneath the sands of Wadjumup.
00:43And we now remember them and will be acknowledged them through the creation of a memorialisation of the burial ground.
00:50Wadjumup will now oversee all future infrastructure projects on the island.
00:56We'll be able to look after the heritage side of things here on Rottnest Island.
01:01It comes after a year of internal strife at the corporation.
01:05Allegations of bullying and nepotism culminating in its suspension in April amid a slew of board and staff resignations.
01:13Now under new leadership, Maldi man Leon Ruri is taking charge.
01:17He hopes the new contract is the start of a more stable future.
01:21It has been tumultuous and my focus as CEO has been to restore our integrity, you know, and to put honour back on the name of the Wadjumup people.
01:29This contract with the Rottnest Island Authority is a big step for Wadjumup and its new chief executive as they attempt to steady the ship.
01:37But there could still be choppy waters ahead with the corporation still filling out its revolving board of directors and with tensions still high after what's been a rocky year.
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