The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) is leading a vital campaign to support the World Heritage nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape—home to one of the world’s oldest and most significant collections of rock art. This campaign seeks to amplify Traditional Owners and Custodian’s voices, correct misinformation, and build public understanding of the cultural and environmental ...
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage Nomination Campaign
GOAL
$132,000
Australia > WA > Regional
Field of Interest
- Environment conservation and climate change
- First Nations communities
Target Population
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- General population
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
Established on 19 April 2006, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) is the body corporate for the Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estate Agreement (BMIEA) and administers contractual obligations under the terms of the BMIEA. Representing Murujuga’s five groups who are the Traditional Owners and Custodians for Murujuga – the Yaburara. Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, Mardudhunera, and Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo – MAC acts on behalf of its 1,200-plus Members.
MAC brings together the five groups to speak with one voice and to work together to protect land and sea country, and to achieve positive economic outcomes for its Members and their future generations. The five groups are collectively known as Ngarda-Ngarli and have been part of the cultural landscape for tens of thousands of years.
Murujuga National Park was created in 2013 and is the first national park in Western Australia to be co-managed, with MAC sharing management responsibilities with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). MAC is working in partnership with the state and federal governments and other stakeholders to achieve World Heritage Listing for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in recognition of its outstanding universal (Aboriginal cultural) value.
Project Summary
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) is leading a vital campaign to support the World Heritage nomination of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape—home to one of the world’s oldest and most significant collections of rock art. This campaign seeks to amplify Traditional Owners and Custodian’s voices, correct misinformation, and build public understanding of the cultural and environmental significance of Murujuga.
UNESCO is scheduled to make its final decision on the World Heritage listing on 11 July 2025. In the lead-up to this critical milestone, a surge of misinformation has emerged across digital platforms, misrepresenting the intent and impact of the nomination. This misinformation threatens to undermine public support and the success of the listing.
To counter this, MAC is launching a targeted paid social media campaign to reach diverse Australian audiences with culturally grounded, fact-based content. The campaign will feature voices from the MAC Circle of Elders, respected community leaders, and heritage experts, ensuring authenticity and trust.
Funding from the Australian Community Foundation will enable MAC to boost content visibility across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, particularly in regions where misinformation has taken hold. It will also support the development of short-form video, infographics, and community Q&A sessions to foster engagement and transparency.
This initiative is not only about protecting heritage—it’s about empowering First Nations-led storytelling and ensuring that the truth of Murujuga is heard, respected, and celebrated before this historic decision is made.
Project Outcomes
A successful World Heritage listing for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape will be a landmark achievement for Australia and the global community. It will formally recognise the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of one of the world’s oldest and most extensive collections of petroglyphs—rock engravings that date back tens of thousands of years.
For the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) and its Circle of Elders, this listing will affirm their enduring custodianship of Country and culture. It will elevate Traditional Owners and Custodian's voices on the world stage and ensure that the stories, knowledge, and sacred sites of Murujuga are protected for future generations.
The listing will also unlock new opportunities for sustainable tourism, education, and cultural exchange. It will attract global attention and investment, creating pathways for economic development that are led by and benefit Traditional Owners and Custodians. Importantly, it will strengthen MAC’s ability to manage the landscape through culturally informed conservation practices and partnerships.
At a national level, the listing will reinforce Australia’s commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation. It will serve as a powerful example of how Indigenous knowledge and leadership can shape global heritage protection.
This moment will not only celebrate the past—it will shape the future. It will be a legacy of pride, resilience, and recognition for the Murujuga people and all Australians.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $132,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Gap | $132,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Creative and paid media | $132,000 |
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