Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation
Community, culture and connection near Derby.
Mowanjum is an Aboriginal community about 10 kilometres from Derby in Western Australia’s West Kimberley. It brings together Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunambal people, whose homelands lie farther north in the Kimberley.
The community’s history includes forced relocations through mission settlements before the establishment of its present home near Derby. Connections with homelands continue through language, art, song, dance and cultural practice.
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation supports local community services and owns the Mowanjum Community Resource Centre.
Community programs and activities
Technology, learning and practical services
Mowanjum Community Resource Centre provides access to computers, information, services and meeting facilities. Its offerings include digital literacy training, life-skills programs and room hire.
Digital inclusion work has included refurbished laptops and training in everyday online tasks, email, online services and recognising scams. The CRC has worked with organisations including WorkVentures and the NBN Indigenous Device Bank.
Art, culture and the Mowanjum Festival
The community’s Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre houses artist studios, a gallery and a museum. Its programs support the sharing of cultural knowledge through art, song and dance.
The annual Mowanjum Festival brings these practices together, with cultural recordings helping community members learn songs and revive dances. These activities are delivered by the art centre’s own organisation.
Community stories and cultural archives
Wurnan Storylines is a community-managed archive connecting people with photographs, recordings, artworks and family histories. It supports cultural knowledge being passed between generations, with access points at the art centre and CRC.
Access follows community permissions and cultural protocols.
Learn about Mowanjum’s history · Community Resource Centre information · Mowanjum Arts
Mowanjum and the WAssup 108 Speakers Program
Confirmed — future allocation
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation confirmed its participation by phone on 23 October 2026.
Community members are developing film nights, concerts and discos for local young people. The future portable speaker and two wireless microphones will support these activities and other community events. The corporation will hold and manage the equipment as a shared community asset.
The equipment will be provided free, with local people deciding how it is used and shared.
A speaker number and delivery date have not been assigned.
There is no requirement to fundraise, provide publicity or share photographs or videos. Community safeguarding, consent and cultural protocols will guide participation and any sharing.
Support Mowanjum directly
For donations, offers of equipment or other practical support for the corporation’s community work, contact its office at ceo@mowcorp.com.au.
Ask about current priorities, what contributions can be accepted and how to arrange them. Obtain payment details directly from the corporation.
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation: charity and tax details
| Detail | Official record |
|---|---|
| Legal entity | Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation |
| ABN | 38 721 336 893, active since 23 March 2000 |
| Charity registration | Registered with the ACNC since 3 December 2012 |
| Classification | Public Benevolent Institution |
| Deductible Gift Recipient | Not entitled to receive tax-deductible gifts |
ABN Lookup also records income tax exemption from 1 July 2000, and GST concession and fringe benefits tax exemption from 1 July 2005.
Donations made directly to Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation under this ABN are not tax-deductible.
Official ABN and DGR record · ACNC charity register entry
Supporting Mowanjum Arts
The art centre operates through Mowanjum Artists Spirit of the Wandjina Aboriginal Corporation, ABN 97 972 362 126. That organisation holds DGR Item 1 endorsement from 4 September 2015. Eligible gifts to it may be tax-deductible.
To support its arts and cultural programs, use the Donate button on Mowanjum Arts’ official website, or contact sales@mowanjumarts.com. Request a receipt when donating.
Check the art centre organisation’s ABN and DGR record
Contributions to these organisations go through their own channels.
Location and contact
Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation
Mowanjum community, via Derby WA 6728
Office contact: Jenni Gould, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 9191 1104
Email: ceo@mowcorp.com.au
Mowanjum Community Resource Centre
Lot 85 Gibb River Road, Derby WA 6728
Phone: (08) 9193 2790
Email: mowanjum@crc.net.au
Arrange visits and check current activities with the relevant team before travelling.