Anindilyakwa Land Council’s

Ayakwa

One People. One Voice. anindilyakwa.com.au

30 Bougainvillea DrivePO Box 172Alyangula NT 0885

INSIDE THIS ISSUE• Family history,

page 2

• Work experience program, page 4

• New health clinic, page 5

• Quoll deaths, page 7

Huge ghost net to be turned into artTHE Umbakumba ranger team removed a big ‘ghost net’

from one of the Eastern beaches on Groote Eylandt.

Thousands of these abandoned fishing nets have washed

up on shores, entangling and drowning marine animals

including sea turtles and sharks.

The net was given it to the Anindilyakwa Art Centre to be

transformed into unique pieces of art.

ABANDONED: Dabian Bara Bara, Nigel Wanambi, Gregory Jaragba, ranger coordinator Luke Radcliffe and senior rangers Phillip Mamarika and Jennifer Yantarrnga help remove the ghost net.

| Newsletter October 2017

BAKALA the Film was well received at the Darwin International Film Festival in September.

The film starring Groote Eylandt man, Steve (Bakala) Wurramura was screened as part of the Best of the Territory Shorts program.

Several of Bakala’s family members attended the screening, as well as a large crowd of supporters who have been following his journey on social media.

Funded by the ALC, the MJD Foundation has been working with ZakPage on the short film, which depicts the struggles of living with Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) and Bakala’s journey to find a treatment.

Bakala was diagnosed with MJD in his late teens.

He said the film is about

the dream he had in which his ancestors told him where to find a cure.

“It’s hard to tell this story,” he said. “It’s not only me, but many of my family with this disease.

“Many of my family have finished up with this disease.”

Bakala is talking to the researchers about integrating his bush medicine into their research and testing. Bakala and the MJD Foundation are calling for donations to help continue the research. For more information go to www.bakalathefilm.com

NINE Groote Eylandt students went to Darwin in September to learn leadership skills.

The week-long camp at the Michael Long Learning Leadership Centre included school work and learning practical skills such as road safety, eye and dental health, first aid and healthy eating.

Coordinator Joel Ikupu said the camp taught leadership skills that the boys could take back

and share with their communities.

“This was a very special camp for Groote as it was the first time we had the three major communities all involved in the camp,” Joel said.

“It flowed really well and the boys had a great time. It really helps tie in everything we’re doing with the seniors at football with mixing players from all the communities.”

IN CHARGE: Caelen Mamarika treats Koro Amagula’s fake injury while learning first aid.

New skills for boys

Short film raises awareness of disease

| October 2017 Page 2

AWARENESS: Filming of the short film project, which depicts the struggles of living with MJD.

THE ALC distributed more than $24million to nine

Aboriginal corporations in the last financial year

for projects to benefit Groote Eylandt and Bickerton

Island communities.

The ALC established its Royalty Development Unit

(RDU) in 2016 to give advice to the ALC Board on

funding projects proposed by the corporations.

Indigenous Affairs Minister, Hon Nigel Scullion, in a

speech in front of national media at the signing of

the Mining and Exploration Agreements between

South 32 and ALC, strongly praised ALC chair Tony

Wurramarrba and ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt

for establishing the RDU.

“The nature and quality of the support provided has

resulted in unprecedented levels of trust in these

services,” Mr Wurramarrba said.

The nine corporations received money for 58

different projects.

Amangarra Aboriginal Corporation was given

money to supply white goods to communities, clean

scrubs and fence lines, run the Royalty Shoppa

warehouse and install a high voltage electricity

transformer.

Aminjarrinja was funded to buy a water taxi, to buy

an elder’s retreat in Cairns, to fund a University of

Queensland study on the effects of manganese on

animals, a multimedia program, supporting the Salt

Lake Band and other projects.

The Angabunumanja corporation received money

for housing projects, environmental services and a

new music room.

ARAC was funded to support a police station, the

MJD Foundation, a cultural program, a sports

project, suicide prevention and many other projects.

ASAC received money to run basketball and football

competitions.

GEBIE was funded to run its $2million social

program, nutrition program and research on the

contamination of manganese on children.

And Lagulalaya purchased a rescue boat, funeral

vehicle, excavator and tools for the Milyakburra

Workshop Garage.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the RDU also

provided accounting and administration support

for seven new Traditional Owner businesses: the

Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation

(ARAC), Bartalumba Mini Mart Aboriginal

Corporation, Lagulalya Aboriginal Corporation,

Mungwardinamanja Aboriginal Corporation,

Yimadumanja Aboriginal Corporation and Eylandt

Clean-up Services.

New councillors for Anindilyakwa ward ALC distributes money for community projects

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt

ALC chair Tony Wurramarrba

| October 2017 Page 3

RANGERS are calling out for students interested in doing work experience next year.

Currently about 20 high school students from

Angurugu, Alyangula and Umbakumba attend

the program with the ALC Land and Sea Rangers

every Thursday.

They start the day with two hours at the ranger

base completing worksheets.

After that, they help the rangers complete work all

over Groote Eylandt, including collecting marine

debris, clearing tracks, and surveying weeds and

animals.

The on-country and in-classroom activities

contribute towards the Certificate II in Conservation

and Land Management.

Coordinator Jeff Paul said it was a pathway towards

various jobs on the island.

“The qualification is useful for anyone wanting

to become a ranger or work at South 32’s

Rehabilitation and Mine Services (RMS) in the

future,” Jeff said.

“We will be meeting with teachers and students

again to see who wants to be involved next year.”

TWO-WAY learning was the focus of a camp organised by the South32 Rehabilitation, Mine

Services and Legacy (RMSL) team.

The Leadership and Cultural

Camp was held at Mawilyamunja (Thompson Bay) on the eastern side of Groote Eylandt in late August.

The RMSL team taught the South32 leadership team how to hunt for traditional foods in the water and on the land.

Over the campfire in the evening, they taught some Anindilyakwa language and told stories.

Camper, Mary-Jane Barra said she liked the teamwork at the camp and showing the women how to search for sugar bag and mud mussels.

Cheryl Mamarika said she also liked the sugar bag and sitting around the fire telling stories.

STUDENTS LEARN FROM RANGERS

Campers teach leaders how to hunt

PATHWAYS: Deralisha Wurramara, Umbakumba Senior Ranger Jennifer Yantarrnga and Raychelle Herbert.

EXCHANGE: Harrison Herbert shows leaders how to hunt for traditional foods with his hand-made spear.

| October 2017 Page 4

A NEW $6 million health clinic was opened

in Umbakumba in September.

GEBIE Civil and Construction was awarded

the contract to build the new Yinumarra

Health Centre in January last year.

The new clinic includes new emergency

services with an ambulance bay and

emergency rooms; five consulting rooms

including men’s, women’s and children’s

consulting areas; dental room; drug storage

room; multi-purpose room and improved

security and privacy for staff and clients.

Arnhem member Selena Uibo said the the

original clinic was so run down that it would

have cost too much to repair.

She said the clinic was a great example of

local decision making with GEBIE working

with governments.

GEBIE contributed $3 million, the NT

Government $2 million and the Australian

government $1 million. ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said health

was of highest importance.

“Knowledge about health together with good

living habits and excellent health facilities

can help everyone to improve health and

improve their quality of life,” Mr Hewitt said.

“The new clinic is just one of the many

projects the ALC is funding to help improve

the health of the Anindilyakwa people.

“We are also putting money into market

gardens, nutrition and exercise programs,

healthier homes and more.”

STUDENTS LEARN FROM RANGERS

CELEBRATION: Jennifer Yantarrgna helps to open the new clinic.

New health centre opens

MUCH NEEDED: Locals get a tour of the new clinic during opening celebrations.

| October 2017 Page 5

THE Anindilyakwa ward of the East Arnhem Regional Council has two new councillors.

Gordon Walsh and Elliott Bara will replace Jabani Lalara and Mabel Mamarika following the 2017 NT Council Elections.

Mr Bara thanked elders and the community.

“I’m extremely proud to be a councillor and look forward to being a strong voice for the people of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra,” he said.

Mr Walsh said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I will work to ensure the issues and concerns of the region are highlighted and addressed as we continue to grow, working together for the success and sustainability of our region,” he said.

“We have a strong council and I know together we will achieve great things.”

The council welcomed seven returning and seven

new councillors.

President Banambi Wunungmurra was re-elected for a third term.

New councillors for Anindilyakwa ward

A RADIO broadcaster is helping to reengage young people with their schooling.

About 12 young people from Angurugu School join Kesley Lalara during the week at Angurugu Radio 102.9fm.

In small groups the children, aged between eight and 15 years, take turns being interviewed and being the broadcaster.

“It creates an awesome segment with the youth interviewing each other on air and sharing their stories,” Council recreation mentor Russell Burton said. The program has been

such a success that it is looped.

“When coupled with a country playlist, it keeps the community listening all week,” Russell said.

Kesley joined the council six months ago and hit the ground running.

Broadcasting his morning show from 9am until 12pm weekdays, Kesley covers sports, weather, local news, promotions and interviews with locals and businesses around Groote Eylandt.

He has planned for new segments.

A secret sound challenge will be held on Fridays and a youth broadcaster from Angurugu School will work with Kesley for an hour a week for a new youth segment.

Russell said Kesley’s show had been such a hit that “his fans get mad when he’s not on air”.

Change in the air at radio station

CHANGE: Elliott Bara and Gordon Walsh are the new

Anindilyakwa councillors.

ON AIR: Kesley Lalara (right) interviews singer Shellie Morris for his

morning show.

| October 2017 Page 6

New computer program helps track family ancestryTHE ALC’s Anthropology Unit has been working with

Traditional Owners to update the ALC genealogy register,

a database of family histories that has been meticulously

maintained over the years.

The team is using an exciting new computer program called

Family Historian to help with this important work.

Genealogist Judy Lalara and anthropologist Leslie Pyne are

heading the work and are keen to meet with Traditional

Owners to record new births and deaths, and print family trees

for anyone who wants to learn about their ancestry.

Elders have emphasised the importance of updating the

genealogy register to use it as a tool to teach young people

about their relationships on both their mother’s and father’s

sides.

Family Historian will be available on the computers at the

Cultural Centres in Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra.

Anyone wanting to look at or update their family trees can

contact Judy or Leslie on 8987 4010.

RECORDS: Genealogist Judy Lalara is keen to meet with Traditional Owners to record new babies and deaths, and print family trees.

| October 2017 Page 7

Researcher calls on residents to close bins

CONCERN: Dr Skye Cameron says the quolls had likely climbed into the bin to scavenge food scraps and had been unable to get out.

A QUOLL researcher is calling on residents to keep

their wheelie bins closed after two endangered

northern quolls were found dead.

Dr Skye Cameron said they were too late to rescue

these quolls, one of which had six pouch young.

The University of Queensland (UQ) researcher said

the quolls had likely climbed into the bin to scavenge

food scraps and had been unable to get out.

She had rescued quolls from inside bins three times

within a week.

UQ is undertaking a number of research projects with

the endangered species on Groote Eylandt.

Ph 08 8987 4010Fax 08 8987 4098info@anindilyakwa.com.au For editorial contributions email danielacooper@outlook.com.au

30 Bougainvillea DrivePO Box 172Alyangula NT 0885

anindilyakwa.com.au

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THE Cats ran away with a gutsy 67-44 win in the Groote Eylandt Football League grand final at the end of September.

The Cats and the Hawks battled it out in Umbakumba in hot and dusty conditions.

The teams put on the best

game of football seen on Eylandt this year with players willing to put their bodies on the line.

The No More Campaign

sponsored the Best on Ground medals; under 18s went to Cats player, Byron Marawili and seniors to Hawks player, Basil Bara.

Page 8

CATS TOO STRONG INSIZZLING PREMIERSHIP

BIG WIN: The Groote Eylandt Cats celebrate the 2017 premiership.

OUTSTANDING: Seniors medallist, Basil Bara and under 18 medallist, Byron Marawili.

| October 2017

CONSTRUCTION of 10 new houses at Malkala is underway.

The work is being overseen by Gregson Lalara, James Durilla and the Malkala community and funded by the ALC. Two houses that currently have no

toilet, bathroom or kitchen have also been replaced. Malkala is a part of the ALC’s pilot project to build eight new kit homes. Already, kit homes have been built at Bartalumba Bay, Little Paradise and Four Mile.

Kit homes on trial at Malkala

SUPERVISION: Gregson Lalara and James Durilla head up the building work.