28/10/2026
A New Chapter for YMDAC: Welcoming Our New Chairperson and Celebrating 15 Years of Bobby Nunggumajbarr's Leadership.
YMDAC Announces New Chairperson: Donna McMasters
The YMDAC Board is pleased to announce the election of Donna McMasters as the new Chairperson of YMDAC.
Bobby Nunggumajbarr will step back into the role of Deputy Chairperson, where he will continue to support Donna in her new leadership role.
Congratulations to Donna and all newly elected YMDAC Board members. We look forward to working together to strengthen our organisation, support our communities and continue building a strong future for YMDAC in 2027 and beyond.
About Our New Chairperson – Donna McMasters
Donna McMasters was born and raised in Alice Springs and has family connections to Milwarparra, Garawa, Alawa, Marra and Arrernte. She now lives in Ngukurr, South East Arnhem Land, and serves as a board member of both Milwarparra Aboriginal Corporation and YMDAC.
Donna is dedicated to regional governance, cultural development and advancing community-led, community-designed and community-controlled infrastructure.
She is a proud mother of three grown sons and an abuji to three beautiful grandchildren. Donna brings more than 30 years of experience across the public and private sectors, both as an employee and through various board positions.
Her extensive experience includes remote stakeholder engagement, community development, land management, power and water network services, tenancy management, education, legal services and health.
Donna's qualifications include a Postgraduate Certificate in Business in Public Sector Management, a Diploma of Business, a Certificate IV in Government Investigations, and IAP1 and IAP2 training in stakeholder engagement through the International Association for Public Participation.
Throughout her career, Donna has held a range of leadership and management positions. She was Head of the Southern Regional Office for the Aboriginal Interpreter Service and most recently held the position of Regional Coordinator – South East Arnhem Land, Ngukurr, with the Northern Land Council (NLC). In this role, she supported the NLC's strategic objectives and managed projects, programs and staff across the Ngukurr region and regional office.
In July 2026, Donna joined YMDAC in the newly created position of Strategic Plan and Special Programs Manager, bringing her extensive experience, knowledge and commitment to community-led development to the organisation.
YMDAC welcomes Donna into her new role as Chairperson and looks forward to her leadership and contribution to the organisation and the communities it represents.
Celebrating 15 Years of Service – Bobby Nunggumajbarr
YMDAC proudly congratulates Bobby Nunggumajbarr on 15 years of dedicated employment, outstanding service and leadership.
For 15 years, Bobby has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to YMDAC and the Ngukurr community, including 15 years of service and leadership as Chairperson.
Throughout this time, Bobby's dedication, cultural knowledge and commitment to community have made a lasting contribution to the organisation and the people it represents.
His leadership has helped strengthen community governance, support local decision-making, create opportunities for future generations and ensure that community voices remain at the heart of important decisions.
As Bobby transitions into the role of Deputy Chairperson, YMDAC acknowledges and celebrates his remarkable contribution and the knowledge and experience he will continue to share with the Board.
Thank you, Bobby, for 15 years of service, leadership and commitment to YMDAC and the Ngukurr community.
YMDAC looks forward to this next chapter under Donna's leadership, with the continued support and experience of Bobby and the newly elected Board.
Congratulations to Donna McMasters and the YMDAC Board. We look forward to a strong and successful 2027.
