Storytelling, connection and a desire to get community out on Country are important aspects of Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation’s operations at Yallalie Downs. So, while being part of the Camping with Custodians program was not originally in the plans, these foundations have led a natural journey towards this becoming reality.
The campground has now officially launched to become Western Australia's eighth Camping with Custodians campground.
Beemurra Chairperson and Noongar Land Enterprise (NLE) Chairperson Madeline Anderson said the journey began several years ago through a community project focused on Aboriginal astronomy and storytelling.
"There is a beginning. And it all started with two astronomy enthusiasts or stargazers who'd been running projects in the local community and were wanting to engage to do some storytelling," Ms Anderson said.
Having grown up hearing these stories from her grandparents, Ms Anderson found herself naturally drawn into the work.
"I thought, ‘I know this’, my grandparents were great storytellers and would often share stories from their childhood. I enjoy camping, meeting people and hearing the stories of the night sky from far and wide."
That involvement eventually led to Beemurra hosting one of the stargazing events on Yallalie Downs. The event brought together community members, project partners and organisations working in astro tourism, First Nations tourism and cultural engagement.
"We put our hand up to host one of the stargazing nights here on Yallalie Downs," Ms Anderson said.
The gathering proved to be an important turning point. While discussions about tourism opportunities began to emerge, Ms Anderson said her focus remained firmly on hosting people on Country and sharing the Beemurra story.
"It was mentioned about Camping with Custodians at that very first night and that was not even in my mind," she said.
"I was really focussed on hosting, cooking everyone breakfast and just really immersing myself into that whole hosting experience."
“At the time, Beemurra was already regularly welcoming visitors onto the property to learn about its cattle operations, land management activities and broader vision for Country, so it became quite natural”
As relationships continued to develop, conversations around Camping with Custodians gradually became more frequent. At the same time, Beemurra was exploring how its existing activities could align.
The opportunity aligned with a period of significant growth for Beemurra, with a number of projects progressing simultaneously, including the development of its carbon farming program and broader plans for the property.
In 2023, Beemurra formally entered into an agreement to become part of the Camping with Custodians program, becoming the first provider in south-west Western Australia and the first outside the Kimberley region.
“In the future, I would like Koora Boodja to grow in a way that remains true to Country. We can deepen experiences that already suit the place—while creating more opportunities for local young people to guide, host, teach and manage them. The campground’s sites give us a deliberately small base from which to protect the peaceful setting and minimise environmental impacts. I would especially like young people to learn from Elders while gaining practical experience in hospitality, tour guiding, administration, cattle handling, soil and pasture management and bushfoods. Over time, partnerships with schools, training providers and industry could turn those experiences into recognised skills, employment and new community-led enterprises. Success would mean stronger participation, richer visitor learning and lasting pathways for the next generation.”
“It is a very proud moment to look around and see the vision taking shape. Beemurra’s journey stretches back to 1998, and Yallalie Downs has evolved through different enterprises before becoming a successful Aboriginal-owned cattle backgrounding operation and now a place for tourism, cultural learning and much more. The campground represents more than its 20 sites, it reflects years of good governance, infrastructure investment, land management and persistence by everyone involved including our families and partners. Seeing all those parts connected makes the effort worthwhile and shows our young people the opportunities. Visitors can now stay on Country, learn about a working cattle farm, experience culture and hear the stories of a landscape shaped by time, defined by stories and driven by impact.”
