Native title for Wilyakali

On August 28, 2023 the Wilyakali people were handed their native title rights and interests at a Federal Court ceremony near Mannahill, 360km northeast of Adelaide. The consent determination area covers around 9,200 square-kilometres and stretches from the NSW border, on both sides of the Barrier Highway, to areas near Mannahill. Wilyakali Aboriginal Corporation chair, Glen O’Donnell, said the date of the determination (August 28) would always be remembered by Wilyakali people. “We’ve got a lot of Elders that have gone before us that are no longer here but were here in spirit - we were able to recognise this today.” This sentiment was echoed by Wilyakali Aboriginal Corporation vice-chair, Sandra Clark. "It’s a day for us to remember them, they fought very hard and a lot of people thought the Wilyakali people were extinct, that we didn’t exist but here we are," Ms Clark said. "We’ve grown, we’re massive now – biggest mob." We spoke with Glen O'Donnell, Sandra Clark and Jarrad Menz at Mannahill following the consent determination.