NORTH EAST ARNHEM LAND

 

OVERVIEW

North East Arnhem Land is located on Yolngu country and is a region rich in culture, art and history. Located around 500 kilometres from Darwin in the Northern Territory, it is one of Australia’s most remote regions.

Jawun commenced operations in North East Arnhem Land (NEAL) in 2012.

Nhulunbuy is the main township in North East Arnhem Land and is largely sustained by the mining industry, which began operations in the 1960s despite protests from Yolngu Elders to Federal Parliament through the Bark Petitions – a major catalyst for the Land Rights movement. The mine is currently scheduled to close by 2030. The Laynhapuy homelands (traditional clan lands) extend out from Nhulunbuy into Arnhem Land and consist of around 30 remote homeland communities.

Yolngu people have always maintained a strong desire for greater control of their destiny and the capacity to shape their future. A future in which they are able to confidently walk in two worlds, the Yolngu and Balanda (non-Indigenous). Under the guidance and strong leadership of different clan leaders, Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land have made incredible progress towards long-term sustainable business, employment, culturally appropriate services, and education opportunities. There is a shared vision for Indigenous development with a focus on sustainable, meaningful employment created for local Yolŋgu people through community-led economic enterprise.

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY

FIELD TEAM

  • General Manager, Regional Investment

    Ashlee joined Jawun in 2023 as General Manager, Partner Engagement, and in 2025 stepped into the role of Acting General Manager, Regional Investment. With a strong background in People and Culture, she brings experience in HR leadership, workforce strategy, and inclusion initiatives. Her career spans both operational and strategic people functions, with a focus on fostering inclusive workplaces, leading philanthropic partnerships, and embedding values-driven practices across diverse sectors.

    Prior to Jawun, Ashlee held senior people leadership roles across blue-collar and corporate environments in the Transport and Urban Services sectors, interfacing with government and private relationships. She has led complex HR programs, managed stakeholder partnerships, and driven initiatives that balance business outcomes with social impact.

    As a Jawun alumna, having participated in 2017 R2 West Kimberley, Ashlee brings deep understanding of Jawun’s purpose and values. 

    Ashlee is honoured to support the Central Coast, Goulburn Murray, East Kimberley, West Kimberley and North East Arnhem Land regions as General Manager Regional Investment. 

    To contact Ashlee, please email arenshaw@jawun.org.au.

CASE STUDIES

Case studies show how Jawun secondees have achieved real results. If you are interested to learn more about Jawun's work in this region, click on the case studies below.

STRENGTHENING SMALL BUSINESS FRAMEWORKS

CBA - UNDERSTANDING INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES

TOWN VISION AND A COMMUNITY IN TRANSITION

DHIMURRU ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

SUPPORTING YOLNGU MANAGERS TO DRIVE CHANGE

SUPPORTING GUMATJ CORPORATION

LIRRWI YOLNGU TOURISM ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

GUMATJ CORPORATION