Jennifer Wurrkidj painting her country near Mumeka in West Arnhem Land for a new silk screen design. Photo credit Ingrid Johanson

The women of Bábbarra Women's Centre showcase a selection of outfits made entirely from the Centre in Maningrida. Photo credit Valentina Brave

Case Study

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation – Bábbarra Women’s Centre

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) was established in 1974 to provide services and support to 32 homelands surrounding Maningrida in West Arnhem Land, covering a geographical area of 7,500 square kilometres and 13 distinct language groups.  Bawinanga’s mission is “to improve the lifestyle of people on homelands by caring for country, preserving language and culture, through the delivery of services to improve housing, health, education and roads”.  As well as delivering housing and municipal services to the homelands, Bawinanga also manages the Djelk Rangers, an extensive civil works program, mechanical workshops, a supermarket, Maningrida Arts and Culture and a range of other programs.

Originally established as a women’s refuge in Maningrida in 1983 by Ndjébbana woman Helen Williams and Helen Bond Sharp, Bábbarra Women’s Centre supports the cultures and meaningful livelihoods of women in Maningrida and homelands through three key principles: self-determination, meaningful engagement and the advancement of the interests of women. Approximately 25 Indigenous women from Maningrida and homelands work at the Centre, working across three enterprises – Bábbarra Designs, the Centre’s textile design studio whose fabrics are sold across Australia, the community laundry and the op shop. Bábbarra also provides practical support to women’s centres based on homelands within the West Arnhem region. 

TFFF Trustees approved a three-year commitment totalling $509,000 towards building the capacity of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre. This support will be directed towards the continued employment of the existing Bábbarra Women’s Centre Manager as well as the employment of a new Indigenous Assistant Manager. These roles will provide greater employment opportunities to women of Maningrida and homelands, support the empowerment of local women and Indigenous leadership of the Centre, and increase economic engagement with new markets.

Hear from founder Helen Williams and the women of Bábbarra Women’s Centre about the Centre’s establishment and its significance for the Indigenous women of Maningrida and homelands.

“I feel so happy to work here, it makes my life really happy. I am doing lino printing and screen printing, and it makes me so proud to tell stories like that. My daughter has started working here with me too, that makes me proud.” – Genevieve Smith, Bábbarra Women’s Centre

“I feel good waking up in the morning, knowing I am going to Bábbarra for the day. Sometime after work I go home and talk about my printing with all my family, and then I dream about it too. I am always thinking about my new designs. I feel so happy working everyday with my family and friends.” Lucy Yarawanga, Bábbarra Women’s Centre

“Us Bábbarra Women’s Centre mob, we are not afraid to speak up. We know we are stronger together.” Lennie Goya-Airra, Bábbarra Women’s Centre