Warlpiri and Warumungu woman Valda Warntaparri named new Barkly deputy mayor
A former mental health worker who helped develop an Elders-led suicide prevention program has been voted in as Barkly Regional Council's new deputy mayor for 12 months. Read the details.
Barkly Regional Council has endorsed councillor Valda Napurrurla Shannon Warntaparri as the new deputy mayor for the next 12 months, following a council vote at last week’s meeting.
Under Council’s governance framework, the Deputy Mayor position is voted on annually by the elected Council members.
Outgoing Deputy Mayor Noel Hayes, a Kaytetye man from Ali Curung who served for a decade as an ATSIC Commissioner, said it was an honour to serve in the role for the past 12 months.
“I’m proud of the progress we have made together, and I look forward to continuing my role as an elected member, working for all our communities,” he said.
“I congratulate Valda – she brings deep cultural knowledge, strength and commitment to the job.”
The passing of the torch now sees a Warlpiri and Warumungu woman from the Barkly/Central Australia region take up the role.
Ms Warntaparri previously worked with the Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA), where she helped develop Suicide Story, an Elders-led suicide prevention program grounded in local cultural knowledge.
She speaks and understands several Aboriginal languages and dialects across Central Australia and the Barkly, and has served as a Warlpiri/Warumungu interpreter with the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service.
Ms Warntaparri currently represents Patta Ward on Barkly Regional Council.
She said she was humbled by the trust placed in her by her fellow elected members.
“Our region is big, diverse and full of strong voices, and I will work hard with the mayor, the councillors, and the executive team to keep improving services for our communities,” she said.
Barkly Regional Mayor, Sid Vashist thanked Mr Hayes and said he was “equally honoured” to work alongside “another Barkly legend”.
“Her cultural knowledge, community experience, and connection across language groups bring enormous strength to our leadership team,” he said.
“We are a diverse Council, and as we mark 12 months since returning from administration, we can proudly say we are moving in the right direction.
“Our financial position has improved, our advocacy has delivered the fast-tracking of numerous local projects, and we are building genuine momentum.
“But we also recognise the economic disparities and significant funding and infrastructure gaps that still affect our region.”
Member for Barkly Steve Edgington congratulated Ms Shannon in a social media post.
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Originally published as Warlpiri and Warumungu woman Valda Warntaparri named new Barkly deputy mayor
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