Aboriginal corporation buys and renames Captain Cook Shopping Centre in Northern Territory

The Captain Cook Shopping Centre in Nhulunbuy, a remote town in Australia's Northern Territory, has been purchased and renamed by a local Aboriginal corporation, the Gumatj Corporation. One of its first acts was removing the long-standing signage associated with the British explorer James Cook, who never visited the area.

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It's what makes this story sweeter, in a sense, that a Yolŋu corporation was able to take the sign down, change the name and is looking towards the future.

This acquisition comes at a critical juncture for Nhulunbuy, as its primary employer, Rio Tinto, prepares to cease its bauxite mining operations in 2029. Gumatj Corporation director Michael Yunupiŋu stated that the renaming signifies a move towards the future and a new chapter for the community. He emphasized that a Yolŋu corporation taking down the old sign and changing the name is particularly meaningful.

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For us, it's empowerment.

Michael Yunupiŋu, grandson of the late land rights leader Galarrwuy Yunupiŋu, led the negotiations for the centre. He believes the purchase will foster stability and economic independence for the community and his people during this period of uncertainty. "For us, it's empowerment," he said, highlighting the opportunity for local Yolŋu workers to lead and shape the business. He expressed confidence that his grandfather, a visionary figure, would be proud of this strategic decision.

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He was always thinking 50, 60 years ahead, and he would've been very proud that we've made this strategic decision that will support our community and anchors our future.

Klaus Helms, the Gumatj Corporation's chief executive and a close friend of Galarrwuy Yunupiŋu, described the acquisition as a "defining moment" for the clan organization. He noted that securing this significant community asset under traditional owner custodianship allows them to shape the precinct's future, grow local enterprises, create jobs, and ensure that regional wealth remains within the region.

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Securing this significant community asset into traditional owner custodianship gives us the ability to shape the future of this precinct, grow local enterprise, create employment and ensure the wealth generated in our region stays in our region.