Cargo-cultism won’t wash in 2026
More than 1000 acres of glass and aluminum will infect this Wellington, NSW farm paddock after these 400,000 panels and toxic batteries reach their end-of-life span. Who will clean it up and how will the scrap be disposed of or recycled?
Trying to smooth community concerns about renewables, these subsidised, foreign companies are playing the blackfella card believing useless renewables will give them a social license to de-industrialise Australia. However it will make a lot of money for their offshore shareholders.
Offering trinkets to Aborigines for favours ceased 150 years ago and today Australians can see right through this sleight-of-hand trick. Gentari should have looked at the Voice referendum result before resorting to bribery.
The Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project is one of Malaysian company, Gentari’s flagship’s Australian renewable energy developments. Currently under construction, the 400-hectare project will see battery storage and approximately 400,000 solar panels installed. More than 360 jobs will be created during the peak of construction.
Well before the project began, Gentari worked with the local Aboriginal community to set up a community benefit fund, with decisions on supported initiatives guided by the community itself.
An Aboriginal advisory panel, the Wellington Aboriginal Action Panel, was already in place in the area. It’s a trusted advisory body that brings together local Aboriginal organisations, educators, health representatives, the Local Aboriginal Land Council and other community leaders to discuss issues affecting the region.
Instead of deciding how community funding should be spent, Gentari asked the panel to lead the decisions. For Kerryann Stanley, a proud Wiradjuri woman, educator, consultant and panel member, that decision stood out as being a respectful and transparent way to do business with the community.
‘They didn’t come looking for one person to speak for the community,’ she says. ‘They came to a collective group that genuinely represents our Aboriginal community.’
More importantly, Gentari didn’t arrive with predetermined ideas. Instead, community members were entrusted to determine which Aboriginal-led initiatives would receive support, reflecting a genuine commitment to self-determination.
‘They said, “We have this funding. You tell us what your community needs”,’ says Stanley.
‘People often say they support Aboriginal communities. But usually they support us on their terms. They decide what’s important, how to spend funding and what success looks like.
‘Gentari did the opposite. They trusted Aboriginal people to make those decisions ourselves. That’s the first time I’ve experienced that.’
To distribute the funding, community members submit project ideas to the panel, and the panel decides which initiatives will deliver the greatest benefit.
‘That’s real self-determination,’ Stanley says.
‘We know our people. We know what our community needs. We know who is already doing good work and where the gaps are. Gentari simply trusted us to make those decisions.’
Investing in culture
One of the projects supported by the community investment fund was Deadly Doobayes. This is a cultural leadership program developed by Stanley for Aboriginal girls at Wellington High School.
In the Wiradjuri language, “doobayes” means young women.
The program reconnects participants with culture, kinship, identity and Country while helping them develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills.
The sessions explore Aboriginal women’s cultural roles and responsibilities, wellbeing, healing and future pathways. Girls map their kinship networks, learn about their culture, and spend time with Elders and participate in activities including weaving, art and yarning circles.
The program also supports other Aboriginal businesses. Stanley engages local Aboriginal artists, caterers and cultural educators – including weaver and artist Maid with Maribung, Kiana’s Catering and a local Aboriginal tea business – ensuring the investment flows through the wider community.
‘It’s not just supporting my project,’ she says. ‘It creates opportunities for a range of Aboriginal businesses throughout our community.’
One activity asks the girls to trace around their hand and identify the people who support them. By the end of the exercise, many realise they are surrounded by people who care deeply about them.
‘They’re not alone. They’re valued, they’re loved and they belong,’ Stanley says.
‘It’s about reconnecting young Aboriginal women with culture, strengthening their identity and building confidence. Those benefits stay with them.’
