The Aarnja Board would like to make two public announcements to our members. Firstly, farewell to Damien Parriman who is leaving us to further his career with KRED Enterprises Pty Ltd and secondly welcome to Merrilee Williams as our newly appointed CEO for Aarnja Ltd.

Damien has been both anchor and leader for Aarnja during a transformational period in its journey. He has demonstrated amazing ability to be across all of Aarnja’s operations, as well as strategy; and the bigger issues and opportunities facing the Kimberley Aboriginal Nation. Damien has been key in bringing new projects and engagements to Aarnja and reforming existing programs such as Aarnja’s Sponsorship Program to better meet the needs of our Kimberley Aboriginal people. The recent nomination for Aarnja to become the Aboriginal Representative Organisation for the Kimberley was the final piece following six years of work.

Damien has navigated our efforts to build closer co-operation with Kimberley organisations to further develop Aarnja’s capacity and support to attract funding. We expect to build upon this experience to develop closer alliances with other Kimberley Aboriginal Organisations.

And without further ado, welcome to Merrilee. She is a proud Bardi and Yawuru woman, born and raised in Broome West Kimberley WA. Throughout her working life, she has developed the necessary skills and has the respect and passion for protecting member's cultural values and empowering the prosperity of Kimberley Aboriginal communities.

Additionally, she has gained positive and respectful relationships and networks with Traditional Owners and other relevant stakeholders. Merrilee has the maturity and successfully demonstrated experience in planning, operational outcomes and project coordination, which is both a valued and vital contribution to her recent appointment as CEO of Aarnja Ltd.

On behalf of the Aarnja Board
Yours Faithfully,
Aarnja Chairperson
Donna Birch.