Noongar Boodja Trust

The Trustee (Perpetual)

The Trustee Selection Panel, which included representation from the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, the State of Western Australia, and independent experts, selected the Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd (Perpetual) as the first Trustee for the Noongar Boodja Trust in July 2016.

Perpetual is an ASX Listed Australian investment and trustee company with over 130 years’ experience working as a trustee for individuals, businesses and charities. Perpetual has a specialised native title trusts team in Boorloo (Perth) to manage the Noongar Boodja Trust.

Trustee transition

The Noongar Boodja Trust is designed to support a future led by Noongar people. After an initial period managed by an independent professional trustee, the Trust will transition to a Noongar‑owned Trustee, strengthening self‑determination and long‑term care of Noongar lands and assets for future generations.

This transition is led by the Noongar Corporations Committee, working in partnership with the Trustee, the Noongar Advisory Company, and the wider Noongar governance framework.

Related fact sheets

What is the role of the Trustee?

Clause 2.3 of the Noongar Boodja Trust Deed defines the services the Trustee (Perpetual) must provide, inlcuding:

  • support the regional corporations to represent and deliver services to the Noongar community

  • support the central services corporation to represent the Noongar community and deliver services to the Noongar community and regional corporations

  • support the central services corporation to establish and maintain the Noongar Corporations Committee

  • hold and manage cultural land, in consultation with the relevant regional corporations

  • hold, manage, invest and develop development land, in consultation with the Investment Committee, to generate positive returns for the Trust Fund

  • hold, manage, invest and develop housing land, in consultation with the Investment Committee and the Noongar Advisory Company, to achieve improved housing outcomes for the Noongar community

  • hold, manage and invest the future fund, in consultation with the Investment Committee, to ensure adequate income to support the future operations and projects of the seven Noongar corporations

  • hold, manage and invest the operations fund, in consultation with the Noongar Advisory Company, to ensure adequate funds for the operations of the seven Noongar corporations each year, on a fair and equitable basis

  • accept monies, land or other property to hold, manage and invest in the Special Projects Fund to fund special projects of the seven Noongar corporations from time to time

  • receive, hold, manage, invest and deal with monies, land or other benefits in other sub funds, as needed, to help the seven Noongar corporations promote and advance the Noongar community

  • manage and maintain the Noongar Advisory Company to advise and assist the Trustee

  • manage and maintain the Noongar Relationship Committee to facilitate and streamline a process for the Trustee and the Noongar Advisory Company to have direct, regular and meaningful engagement with the seven Noongar corporations

  • establish, manage and maintain the Investment Committee to advise and assist the Trustee regarding the investment of the Trust Fund

  • manage and maintain the Noongar Nominations Committee to “pre-qualify” candidates for positions on the the seven Noongar corporation boards, and for positions on the Noongar Advisory Company, the Investment Committee or any other Trust subcommittee

  • establish internal controls of expenditure, including by compiling annual budgets

  • maintain and act in accordance with a Reconciliation Action Plan

  • support the seven Noongar corporations to develop the capacity of Noongar persons and Noongar community organisations