The GLSC has appointed an Economic Development Officer with the aim of boosting Aboriginal people’s participation in the Goldfields-Esperance economy.  

Mr Darryl Cronin was recruited to the job from Queensland where he was executive officer with the Western Cape Communities Trust, an organisation active in developing business opportunities for indigenous people, in cooperation with industry and government. Mr Cronin has qualifications in law and community development.  

The GLSC Economic Development Officer will aim to create opportunities for training and employment, as well as helping establish sustainable enterprises, owned and operated by Aboriginal people and their communities. Identifying appropriate enterprises for the growing portfolio of Aboriginal land holdings will be a key activity.  

CEO Brian Wyatt said there is huge scope for improving on the significant under-representation of Aboriginal people in the regional economy, particularly in the core industry of mining.  

“While Aboriginal people comprise more than 9% of the region’s population, they make up about 3% of people involved in Goldfields-Esperance’s mining sector.  

“Mr Cronin will build on the good progress made by the GLSC in establishing a strong rapport with local industry in native title-related heritage protection and land-use agreements, by developing further partnerships with a focus on skills-development, employment and business opportunities,” Mr Wyatt said.  

Other duties will include:

·         specialist advice for the development of business proposals, plans and strategies;

·         Identifying strategies for overcoming barriers that prevent Aboriginal economic development; and

• Provide ongoing support to individuals and groups with employment and business development.

The GLSC received funding support for the position from the Commonwealth Indigenous Land Corporation and State Department of Industry and Resources.

Media contact: Brian Wyatt 0417 970413; David Berry 0417 963089