About Paper Talk
Paper Talk is an independent community news publication covering Yamaji Country — the Mid West and Murchison regions of Western Australia.
We report on the issues that matter to Yamaji people and regional communities: Native Title, land rights, regional services, local politics, culture and the stories that mainstream media either miss or get wrong. Our coverage spans Geraldton (Jambinu), the Murchison, and the wider Mid West.
The name Paper Talk comes from an Aboriginal English expression for written communication — letters, documents, news. In the old days, paper talk meant official business, correspondence between communities, the written word carrying weight. We carry that forward: what we publish, we stand behind.
Who We Are
Paper Talk was founded in 2026 by Tamati Smith, a Yamaji man from the Mid West. Tamati is a former Royal Australian Navy communicator with seven years' service, a photojournalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Australian, the Sydney Morning Herald and Getty Images, and a Wajarri language researcher working to preserve and revitalise the Wajarri Wangga.
He is based in Jambinu (Geraldton) on Yamatji country.
What We Cover
- Native Title & Land Rights — Determinations, negotiations and the ongoing fight for recognition across Yamatji and Wajarri country
- Regional Politics — State, federal and local government as they affect the Mid West and Murchison, from Royalties for Regions to electoral representation
- Community & Culture — Language, art, events, community services and the things that hold Yamaji communities together
- Regional Services — Health, housing, education and infrastructure in regional and remote WA
Our Approach
We publish with evidence. Where we have audio, we publish the audio. Where we quote someone, we provide context. Our readers can hear for themselves what was said and decide what it means.
Paper Talk is not funded by government, political parties or corporate sponsors. It is independent community journalism.
Contact
For tips, corrections or story leads: tamati@yamaji.com.au
Photography and photojournalism: tamatitheyamaji.com