djuki mala (chooky dancers) take a tour of the east ... · photo: dominic o’brien people came...

Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Warruwi, Minjilang, Maningrida and Gunbalanya

[email protected] 08 8979 9465 Published by West Arnhem Regional Council Edition 320 11 - 24 September 2014

Minjilang Tigers have won the Men’s AFL Premiership in the Gurrung Sports Carnival to make it two years running for the Croker Island boys. In two days of ripping sports action, Maningrida Allstars won the Women’s Basketball ahead of Croker Eagles, with Jabiru Heat taking the Men’s. Warruwi’s Mardbalk Cats were Runners-Up.

TIGERS TAKE THE TROPHY

MORE PAGE 14 >

Djuki Mala (Chooky Dancers) take a tour of the East Alligator with Abel Naborlhborlh before their sensational performance at the Mahbilil Festival. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN

PEOPLE came flooding in from all over Arnhem Land. From the outstations around Jabiru. From Yirrkala and Galiwinku in the east, to Warruwi, Maningrida, Minjilang and Gunbalanya in the west.

For two days, throughout the the Gurrung Sports Carnival and long into the night of the Mahbilil Festival, Jabiru, in the heart of Kakadu National Park, was home to a thriving hub of activity.

West Arnhem Regional Council brought in hundreds of competitors for Gurrung Sports Carnival, who later joined tourists, Jabiru locals and the festival crowd at Lake Jabiru.

Men’s and women’s basketball and men’s AFL got underway from 4pm Friday 5 September, continuing until late afternoon on Saturday, with footy at

Brockman Oval and basketball at the Jabiru School courts.

At Lake Jabiru, a demonstration area of indigenous spear-making, painting and weaving ran throughout the day alongside fun-fair action including dodgem cars, a slippery slide and face-painting for kids.

There were art stalls, information stalls, hot food and drinks, and a Gungarre

cooking demonstration, with the ground-oven feast served up later in the day.

Mahbilil Festival director Scott De Large said he was impressed with the number of people from the community who got involved, both as volunteers and in the performances and stalls.

“Congratulations to Jabiru for throwing such a great festival, and a big thanks to all the people who got involved and helped out – they did themselves proud, and it was great to be a part of it,” Scott said.

Mandy Garling kicked off the musical acts, which also included Neville Namarnjilk, the Mimi Band, the Bininj Band and The Minjilang Connection, along with performances from Kindred Circus, Bininj Gunborrk and Gunbalanya Dancers.

MAHBILIL ROCKS KAKADU

All the fun of the fair came to Lake Jabiru for the 2014 Mahbilil Festival on Saturday 6 September.

CONTINUED PAGE 9 >

The West Arnhem Wire | 11 - 24 September 2014

If you have an upcoming event you would like to see listed in this space please phone Mark at The Wire on 8979 9465 or email [email protected].

ERA and NTFRS will be holding free fire extinguisher training for Jabiru residents and local businesses on Wednesday 8 October. There will be three sessions, 9-10.30am, 1-2.30pm and 5.40-7.30pm. Registrations close 3 October. Book early as there are limited spaces - call Leona Katzer, ERA Communities Advisor on 8938 1713.

wHAT’S ON

West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang

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SEPTEMBERSun 14 18-Hole Stableford, Jabiru Golf Club wed 17 Bininj consultation - Kakadu National Park Crocodile Management Strategy Review, Mary River Ranger Station 10am-2pm 8938 1100 All Bininj welcomewed 17 Warnbi Board of Directors meeting, Warnbi Aboriginal Corporation Office 11amThu 18 Careers Expo, Jabiru Area School Sun 21 18-Hole Stableford, Jabiru Golf ClubMondays Bowali Track guided walk, Croc Hotel Foyer 8.30amMondays Twined Together, traditional weaving demonstration, Border Store, East Alligator River 2-4pmMondays Rock Art slideshow, Aurora Kakadu Lodge Jabiru 7.30pm

Tuesdays Jabiru Bombers training, Brockman OvalTuesdays Jabiru Art & Craft Group, Kakadu Youth Centre 7.30pmTuesdays Jabiru Playgroup, Jabiru Lake Park 9.30-11amTuesdays Six Seasons of Kakadu, Mardugal campground 7.30pmwednesdays Gun-gardun guided cultural walk 8.30amwednesdays Mixed social tennis, JSSC 5.30pm wednesdays Junior Soccer, Magela Oval 6.30pmwednesdays Pool comp, Jabiru Golf Club 6.30pmwednesdays Wildlife slideshow, Aurora Kakadu South Alligator 7.30pmThursdays Jabiru Bombers training, Brockman OvalThursdays Italian Night, JSSC BistroThursdays Kakadu Rangers guided walk, Gunlom 8.15amThursdays Mums’n’bubs stretch classes, Jabiru Community Hall 11am-12pmThursdays Buffalo Days slideshow, Aurora Kakadu Lodge 7.30pmFridays Morning Fitness Class, Jabiru School MPA 5.45–6.30amFridays Badge Draw and raffles, food specials, Jabiru Golf Club 7pmSaturdays Ranger guided walk, Nawurlandja 5pmSaturdays Kakadu’s Bushtucker slideshow, Gunlom 7.30pmSundays Ranger guided walk, Gunlom 8.15am

OCTOBERFri-Sat 3-4 2014 Alligator Fishing Club ChallengeSat-Sun 18-19 Lurr’a Festival, Maningrida

Please be aware that, due to cultural reasons, Njanjma Ranger guided activities in the East Alligator Region (Ubirr, Bardedjilidji, Manngarre, Border Store and Merl Campground) will be cancelled until further notice.Thank you for your respect and understanding during this time.

Labor Senator for the Northern Territory Nova Peris and her son Jack, along with Shadow Minister for Communications Jason Clare, sitting back under the mango tree at Goulburn Island recently with Mardbalk artists, who are stripping pandanus for weaving. Senator Peris was visiting the Warruwi community to discuss the lack of housing and jobs.

OUT AND ABOUT

Today I came across some photographs taken in Maningrida while I was there in 1998 for one week.

Back then, I was invited by the community to take photographs for a book about basket weaving. After all these years I never have heard anything about this book and I am wondering if a book like this was published.

I had a look through my notes and found details such as: My friend Debbie, an English basket weaver, received an invitation from the Maningrida Art and Culture Centre because she was a well-known basket weaver in England and did spend few weeks in Maningrida earlier.

In addition to the photos I have taken for the project, I also have about 100 to 120 slides from this time in my private collection.

While scanning the slides to have an electronic copy I thought Councillors and

LETTERS to the EDITORMANINGRIDA MEMORIES AND MYSTERIES

The mystery man in charge.

some community members involved in the basket-weaving project would like to have a look at it.

I would love to visit Maningrida again and meet some of the members and artists.

When I left it seems that the ‘Man in Charge’ was very happy with the result. I enclose a photograph taken of that person at the time and hope he is still with the community and recall the basket weaving project.

Inge GajczakPO Box 19Tambo QLD 4478

Please send your letters to The wire, PO Box 721, Jabiru NT 0886, fax 08 8979 2488,or email [email protected]. Readers’ letters are published as a community service and do not reflect the views of The wire or the west Arnhem Regional Council. Letters over 300 words may be edited for length.


3West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang

West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor Lothar Siebert and Deputy Mayor James Marrawal (left and right, in blue) with Tiwi Islands Regional Council delegation (left to right) Cr Lesley Tungatalum, Mayor Lynette De Santis, Chief Executive Officer Alan Hudson and Cr Anita Moreen.

“There are many issues where we could all benefit by concerted cooperation”

KAKADU RANGER JOBS TO GO IN BUDGET CUTSKAKADU National Park may be affected by Federal Government budget cuts with up to 13 staff at the park, including rangers, being offered voluntary redundancies.The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said five rangers and three people from research and cultural programs had agreed to take the offer. Parks Australia has not confirmed any details of decisions made by staff.The Kakadu redundancies are among 480 being offered to Department of Environment staff Australia-wide, over 36 months.The job cutbacks, combined with pressure from state and territory governments on the Federal Government to fast-track mining developments, have environmental groups concerned about impacts on World Heritage sites and protected species.The Federal Government will soon make states and territories responsible for “matters of national environmental significance” including uranium mines, water resources, World Heritage areas such as Kakadu, migratory species, wetlands of international significance, and threatened species.In a statement to the ABC, Parks Australia said: “While the particular positions will not be replaced, Parks Australia is taking the opportunity to modernise its operations, with a particular focus for Kakadu on new positions in threatened species, science and marketing.”CPSU deputy secretary Beth Vincent-Pietsch said there were concerns about some of the rangers affected from remote districts of the park.“Their only security now is radio contact with a buddy in another district, but obviously if they get hurt or injured while on patrol in that district in a remote area they may not be able to get to the radio.”Djabulukgu Association Chief Executive Liam Maher said fewer rangers in Kakadu would mean fewer hands to work with its indigenous park rangers clearing invasive weeds like salvinia and mimosa.“If the flood plains of Kakadu are filled with mimosa it’s a lose-lose for everybody,” Mr Maher said

MAYOR WELCOMES TIWI VISIT

THE Tiwi Islands Regional Council (TIRC) and the West Arnhem Regional

Council (WARC) are working more closely together after an initiative of WARC Mayor Lothar Siebert came to fruition last week.

Mayor Siebert invited the TIRC Mayor and Councillors to attend an Ordinary Council Meeting at the WARC Chambers in Jabiru on Wednesday 10 September.

Attending the meeting were TIRC Mayor Lynette De Santis, Councillors Anita Moreen and Lesley Tungatalum, and Chief Executive Officer Alan Hudson.

Mr Hudson said their council had planned to bring a larger delegation but an unforseen community event had meant this was not possible.

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Siebert said it had been “a step in the right direction”.

“This meeting was a chance to put into place a more formalised arrangement in which to share ideas that will benefit both regional councils further down the line,” Mayor Siebert said.

“I can see a lot of potential in us working on regional issues together.”

Speaking after the meeting, TIRC Mayor Lynnette De Santis thanked the Mayor, Councillors and Chief Executive of West Arnhem for extending the invitation.

She said she felt “a lot more empowered” after participating

in the meeting and looked forward to reciprocating the arrangement.

Both West Arnhem and the Tiwi Islands form part of the Northern Territory Electoral Division of Arafura, with Cobourg Peninsula lying adjacent to the Tiwi Islands on the Van Diemen Gulf.

Situated 100 km north of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands are comprised of Melville Island and Bathurst

Island, with a combined area of 8320 square kilometres.

Creation stories suggest Indigenous Australians have occupied these islands for at least 7000 years.In a formal letter of thanks to the council, Chief Executive Officer Alan Hudson said it would be “advantageous to keep this initiative on the move”.“It was especially gratifying to share an insight into not only issues you face within your region but to be able to confirm that there are many issues where we could all benefit by concerted cooperation and acting cohesively as a body of more than a lone council,” he wrote.

ON Friday 29 August, members of the Royal Australian Navy’s 816 Squadron visited Gunbalanya as part of Exercise KAKADU 2014.

The two SB-70B Seahawk helicopters were warmly welcomed by the community, a large Aboriginal town situated about 60km north east of Jabiru, across the East Alligator River in Arnhem Land.

Kerry Manakgu, an Assistant Teacher at West Arnhem College, said the children had been looking forward to the visit.

“This is very special. The kids like to see how big the helicopters are,” Ms Manakgu said.

Local boys Raphael and Norman were also suitably impressed. “We like the noise!” the boys said.

Lieutenant Commander Mick Doncaster, Executive Officer HMAS Coonawarra, drove to Gunbalanya from Darwin to meet the flight.

“We left at 0530 this morning. The bitumen ends at Cahill’s Crossing and you feel like you are going

into another world,” he said. “It is a real privilege to come here today, its an amazing community.

“You only have to look around from where we are standing now and you can see the ancient landscapes of Arnhem Land. It is somewhere we very rarely ever get to visit,” Lieutenant Commander Doncaster said.

NAVY CHOPPERS DROP IN ON GUNBALANYA


West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang4

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SAY G’DAY TO A RANGER

CAR ROLLOVERCLAIMS LIFECOMMUNITIES are in mourning following a fatal car crash in Kakadu National Park this week.

Police said the driver was killed in a single vehicle rollover that occurred late in the afternoon on Wednesday 10 September about 20 km south of Jabiru

Staff from Jabiru Health Clinic rushed to the crash to treat three injured occupants.

The injured were taken in a clinic ambulance to the Jabiru airstrip to meet a CareFlight plane which had landed to allow the flight doctor and nurse to work with clinic staff to assess the injuries.

After stabilisation CareFlight flew two of the injured to Royal Darwin Hospital with leg and arm injuries.

A third occupant was treated at the Jabiru Clinic for minor injuries.

By Councillor Ralph Blyth

A big G’day and thank you to the Garngi – (Minjilang) and Mardbalk (Warruwi) Rangers, who over the last four years have been working and patrolling out of Wark / Murganella when they come over from the Islands.

Over the years I have watched these Rangers undertake weed and fire management, while also keeping an eye on those travelling through on their way to Cobourg or other places of interest.

Every year after the wet we meet them on Country and do our burn around the houses etc (see photo above).

The Rangers have been quiet achievers, and from the first burn where “rakes and tree branches” were used to burn off around the houses etc, to today where three quad bikes

with multipurpose spray units, high vis vests, hand-held radios have joined their unit. The Rangers are a welcome sight in the area, and if you see them on your travels, pull up and have a yarn – they don’t bite.Just before you get to Wark, there is the crossing (see below) where a large croc has taken up residency. While an inviting spot for travellers to stop and have a bit of a fish, it is also the ideal place to “ambush” anybody who is on the crossing. If the Rangers do stop to have a yarn, please listen to their advice or comments.

RALPH’S

RAMBLES

Has anyone seen a deer cavorting about in Jabiru? It was last spotted heading towards the lake, after being sighted outside Jabiru Foodland early on Tuesday 9 September.

Ken Jones and Jenny Adams from Foodland say they were at the back of the supermarket at about 6.30am when they saw “a reindeer, with antlers and everything” being chased through the carpark by wild-looking dogs.

“It looked just like Santa’s reindeer, only without the red nose,” Jenny explains. “It went running down the road past the training centre and skate park and out onto Civic Drive. Lucky it wasn’t hit by a car.”

Ken says without a couple of staff standing beside him he would have had trouble believing what he saw.

“It was a big reindeer. A proper man-sized reindeer. We had to do a double-take,” Ken says. “All it needed was a sleigh behind it and Dave Lindner in a Santa suit and it would have been just like Christmas.”

Wild deer, including sambar deer, are known to roam the Cobourg Peninsula. Sambar deer are declared a “minor pest” and impact negatively on native vegetation.

Deer have also reportedly been sighted munching wet grass opposite the Jabiru Sports and Social Club, and at the Border Store.

Andy Ralph from Kakadu Culture Camp says deer were brought Cobourg as a food source in the 1800s by the British to help establish their settlement at Port Essington.

It is not known if Jabiru Foodland will be taking orders for venison this Christmas.

SANTA’S REINDEER ARRIVES EARLY IN JABIRU



WARRUWI COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

Warruwi Community School is proud to announce that Alison, our Senior Youth Worker, has been nominated for the award of NT Schools Support Person of the Year.

The category is part of the annual Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards, acknowledging those who have provided high-calibre

education services.

The nomination is a well-deserved recognition of her positive contribution to the lives of children and young people over many years of service.

The award winners will be announced on 31 October 2014 at World Teachers‘ Day functions across the Territory.

Children’s Ground is recruiting for the following Jabiru based positions:

TESOL Educator, part timeUnder direction and with the support of the Head of Early Years Learning and Wellbeing, the TESOL educator will help implement an innovative, dynamic, high quality early year learning program. Within this context, they will provide specialist English acquisition support, training and teaching for children, families and staff.The role is part time (0.5EFT) until 19 December 2014. The proposed salary for the position is $70,733 per annum pro rata.We are also seeking casual teaching staff, casual after school hours staff or volunteers with skills they would like to share.

How to apply?For more information on the roles, or to apply, please contact Belinda Morton on 0404 164 144 or email [email protected]

THE money raised by the second annual Kakadu Triathlon, held in Jabiru on Saturday 31 May, was officially handed over to CareFlight in Darwin on Monday 8 September.

The community event raised $8289 for the CareFlight aeromedical charity.

Careflight use helicopters, aeroplanes and medi-jets to bring a hospital level of care to the critically ill and injured.

Aircrew, medical teams and coordinators work to ensure patients receive the best care as soon as possible.After handing over the cheque, West Arnhem Regional Council’s Ashley De Sair and ERA Communities Advisor Leona Katzer took a tour of the new CareFlight hangar in Darwin. “Congratulations and sincere thanks to all who competed, attended and assisted,” Ms Katzer said.

ERA’s Leona Katzer (centre) presents the cheque to CareFlight’s Tanya Izod and CareFlight Founding Director Ian Badham. PHOTOS: ASHLEY DE SAIR

TRIALTHON FUNDS KEEP CARE IN THE AIR



WEST Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) Community Care Coordinator and Team leaders had the opportunity to build up their skill set when they attended a training forum in Darwin on 28 August.

WARC Community Care Coordinator Chrissie Nichols said the day was attended by Community Care and Aged Care providers from across the NT.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for networking and catching up with people,” Ms Nichols said.

“The Forum was extremely well-organised with interesting speakers, lots and lots of food, and an entertaining performance by The Corrugated Iron Youth Performers.”

Annie Luta, the council’s Community Care Team Leader in Warruwi, won the Table Activity Challenge and received a box of chocolates.

The workshop considered ways

for working collaboratively across a number of topics, including how the national workforce development strategy is being applied across the Aged Care sector.

The workshop also provided a platform to launch the Aged Care NT Induction Tool developed in collaboration with NT aged Care Sector.

Attendees explored opportunities for school-to-work pathways, and ways to engage education, VET and the community sector through hands-on activities.

“We got to hear and see tools for the workforce agenda, and how to get the workforce ready for the future, and promote knowledge sharing across services,” Ms Nichols said.

The training was provided by Human Services Training Advisory Council Inc. and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.

FORUM BUILDS COUNCIL’S AGED CARE SERVICES

Chrissie Nichols, Janet McSkimming (Gunbalanya), Annie Luta (Warruwi), and Marcia Brennan (Kakadu) from the West Arnhem Regional Council Community Care team at the Aged Care training forum in Darwin.

The Corrugated Iron performers providing entertainment at the forum.

Police have arrested three people and seized drugs, ammunition and a firearm during a search warrant in Jabiru.

Detective Senior Sergeant Gus Bentley said members from the Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk and Dog Operations Unit along with Jabiru Police executed a search warrant at a residence on Friday 22 August.

“Police allege a 46-year-old woman attempted to strike one officer to the head but was stopped by a second officer. The offender allegedly struck the second officer in the face and was arrested,” Det. Snr Sgt Bentley said.

“Police continued their search

warrant and located and seized a less than trafficable quantity of methamphetamine, a less than trafficable quantity of cannabis, cannabis seeds, drug paraphernalia, digital scales, an unsecured firearm and unsecured ammunition.”

The 46-year-old woman faces a string of charges including assaulting police, resisting arrest, possessing methamphetamine, cannabis, and unlicensed firearm.

A 29-year-old woman was charged with possess methamphetamine, while a 40-year-old man was issued a notice to appear for drug and firearm offences.

All thee will appear in Jabiru Court on 23 September.

JABIRU ASSAULT, DRUG CHARGES



JABIRU Area School officially opened its Trade Training Centre on Wednesday 10 September.

Representatives from West Arnhem Regional Council, Energy Resources Australia, Spotless and the Jabiru Clinic were impressed by the quality of the facility and the knowledge and professionalism displayed by Trade Training Centre cohort.

Ryan Summerton, Richie Burnett, Jamie Siebert and Jasper Van Der Veerdonk took visitors through a safety induction that highlighted the enormous value put on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) practices in this state-of-the-art facility.

All boys spoke with pride about the projects that they have been working on under the outstanding leadership of Embedded Trainer Peter Williams. Peter joined the school this year and has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the program.

Students involved in the presentation are working towards gaining a Certificate 2 in Construction Pathways. Other projects being delivered to students across the school include working towards a Certificate 1 in Conservation and Land Management as well

as Resource and Infrastructure. This includes the Bunnings Garden project, the design and build of a community barbecue in the school as bush furniture.

Senior Teacher of Secondary School Alex Madden said “students clearly demonstrated the benefits of working to both an academic and vocational program”.

“They are motivated through the completion of each project to continue striving for greater success,” Mr Madden said. “We are seeing this not only in their Trade program, yet equally

important, within their mainstream classes as well. There were many proud parents and community members today.”

The facility, which cost more than $1.5 million, is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to gain meaningful employment in trades and industry.

The opening was a huge success and we are all very proud of the efforts of the students.

No doubt this facility will be the home of many other success stories in the future.

TRADE TRAINING CENTRE OFFICIAL OPENING

Trainer Peter Williams with Construction Pathways students Jamie Siebert, Ryan Summerton, Jasper Van Der Veerdonk and Richie Burnett at the opening of the new Trade Training Centre at Jabiru Area School .

By Matt Woodward

“They are motivated through the completion of each project”

By Shane Beaumont

ERISS (Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist) would like to thank Madjinbardi and Djirrbiyuk work crews for their assistance in completing our 2014 Pop-Netting Project.

Pop-netting is a shallow billabong fish and vegetation survey.

The crews worked very hard and have played an important role in the work of the Supervising Scientist to protect the Alligator Rivers Region from the potential impacts of uranium mining.

ERISS thanks Sean, Mick, Russo, Royce, Amroh, Craig, Enoch, Malcom and Dallas for their knowledge and participation.

The combined 2014 work crews.

LEFT: Cleary, Mark Jnr, Royce, Malcom, Mick, Craig and Sean.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE HELPS PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS



2014 MAHBILIL FESTIVAL

Dell Hunter and Catherine Ralph with their artworks for sale at the Children’s Ground stand.

Children’s Ground arts coordinator Damien Kamholtz with respected Kakadu artist Abel Naborlhborlh at one of his painting demonstrations.

Marlene Badwana from Jabiru Town Camp shows how pandanus weaving is done at one of the cultural demonstrations.

Kaz doing a bit of weaving of her own.

The winning dishes in the Magpie Goose Cooking comp: Chrissie Nichol’s Red Goose Curry (2nd) and Jackie Christopherson’s Spring Rolls (1st).

Festival activities (above) and (clockwise from below) opening act Mandy Garling, Neville Namarnyilk, and Bininj Gunborrk dancers, and a spear-making demonstration. PHOTOS COURTESY DOMINIC O’BRIEN.



2014 MAHBILIL FESTIVAL

The Mahbilil Festival also featured a special show by Jabiru Area School kids who – after only a week’s training – put on a fiery, skilful, acrobatic act as Psycus Circus.

Plus there was the headline act, East Journey, all the way from Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.

“I’d seen East Journey play a couple of times, and they have an amazing reputation,” Scott said. “They’ve just recorded an album with the remaining members of Yothu Yindi.”

One surprise announcement in the short build-up to Mahbilil was the extremely popular inclusion of the Djuki Mala dance group, or Chooky Dancers, also from East Arnhem Land.

By coincidence, the Chooky Dancers, from the Galiwinku community on Elcho Island, had just finished their 2014 National Tour were flying into Darwin a few days before the festival.

“I had toured with them nationally earlier this year, so I approached them about performing at Mahbilil and they were pretty enthusiastic,” Scott told The Wire.

“They were also very excited to do a community event with local kids before the festival, at Town Camp.”

Scott – whose background is with the Alice Desert Festival and the Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs – says the success of a community festival depends on which acts you approach, and how.

“Some bands just want to perform and go, while other people are more interested in local stories – local perspectives and local people,” he said. “In a town as small as Jabiru, it is important to have that community engagement.”

He said Dave Garnham & The Reasons To Live teaming up with Jabiru Choir of Man was a good example.

Following a promotional shout out around town, found a handful of talented local blokes who got together in rehearsals to form a group of backing singers known as The Jabiru Choir of Man.

“It shifted what is a good band – Dave Garnham & The Reasons To Live – into a local spectacle. With 11 local fellas up there it meant more to the people,” Scott said.

One of the most popular events at the festival was Magpie Goose Cooking Competition. “We had a record number of people getting involved, with 20 entrants,” he said.

Last year’s winner, West Arnhem Regional Council’s Valentin Markez, put in three entries in a stoic effort to defend his title. But this year Valentin’s goose was cooked, so to speak, when Jackie Christopherson took first prize with her delicious Magpie Goose Spring Rolls.

Nonetheless, the local council put in a good showing, with Home and Community Care Coordinator Chrissie Nichols winning second prize with her Red Goose Curry.

To find out the winners of competitions that don’t involve herbs, spices, and sauce – check out the Gurrung Sports Carnival results in the sports pages of this week’s Wire!

MAHBILIL ROCKS KAKADU < FROM FRONT PAGE

“In a town as small as Jabiru, it is important to have that community engagement”

Dave Garnham & The Reasons to Live with The Jabiru Choir of Man. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN

ABOVE, BELOW: Bininj Band and Minjilang Connection.

Students put on an amazing fire-twirling show with Psycus Circus.

Djuki Mala

East Journey



Yurrwa the flatback turtle with her new satellite tag at Field Island. PHOTO: ANNE O’DEA

Flatback turtle hatchlings. PHOTO: FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS/REEF CATCHMENTS

No, those aren’t satellite transmitters on their heads. This is the Spinifex Pigeon: ‘godjgarnamalkmalk’ in Gundjeihmi, or ‘bamkarnamalkmalk’ in the Kundedjnjenghmi dialect. PHOTO: PAUL CODDINGTON

TRACKING THE FLATBACK

GARDANGARL (Field Island) in the mouth of the South Alligator River is a critical habitat for flatback turtles and a key monitoring site in the Australian National Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles.

Every year teams of Kakadu park staff, traditional owners and conservation volunteers camp on Field Island over a four week period to study the turtles as they come ashore to nest.

The annual flatback tagging and monitoring program provides valuable data for the only marine turtle listed globally as “Data Deficient” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Surveying began in the 1980s and has continued annually since 1994.

In a 2011 survey, Indigenous ranger Samantha Deegan said “the work we do on Field Island is very important to us”.

“It helps us understand how flatback turtles are going on a regional and national scale, so we can protect their long term future,” she said.

She said five species of marine turtles occur in the waters around Kakadu National Park - the flatback, green, Olive Ridley, loggerhead and the hawksbill.

“Our work provides valuable information such as long term population trends. It’s one of the longest data sets for this species,” Ms Deegan said.

“This is crucial to the recovery plan of this threatened species. The data will also form a solid baseline, and could act as an early warning signal for the effects of climate change.”

Yurrwa has loyally returned to nest at Field Island since 2004.

Kakadu staff fitted her with a satellite tag on Tuesday 19 August which they hope will allow them to understand more about where the Kakadu National Park flatback turtles go between nesting and where their feeding grounds are.

Will Yurrwa come ashore again this season to lay another clutch of eggs?

You can head over to seaturtle.org to keep track of her at www.seaturtle.org/tracking.

What do you call that plant or animal in Bininj Gunwok?

Bininj Gunwok is a dialect chain that stretches from Kakadu National Park in the west to the Mann, Liverpool and Cadell river districts south of Maningrida.

A new online resource documenting Aboriginal names for plants and animals in Kakadu and west Arnhem Land is now available.

It is a work in progress, and will take some years to fill all the categories out for all dialects. But you can help by contributing information or photographs. Log on to mayh-dja-kundulk.bininjgunwok.org.au, call 8946 7619, email [email protected], or follow the link from the West Arnhem Regional Council homepage.

The online resource includes the Bininj Gunwok names for common plant and animal species from the region, beautiful artwork and photographs, and audio files of the Bininj Gunwok name so that users can hear how to pronounce words. Users can also upload their own photos of natural species.

Murray Garde, a linguist and anthropologist has been learning and working together with Bininj people for more than 20 years, says many people working and living in the region need to know the Bininj Gunwok names for natural species.

“Indigenous land management rangers, scientists, linguists, arts centre workers, tourists, students and others who have an interest in Indigenous ecological knowledge will find this online resource useful,” Mr Garde said.

“Making lists of names may sound straightforward, but there are six different Bininj Gunwok dialects which often have vocabulary differences for various species, and Indigenous systems of taxonomy are different to those used in western science.”

Making the names more accessible also ease the burden on Bininj involved in land management and non-Indigenous researchers, who are regularly asked for correct names and spelling.

HELP BUILD NEW ONLINE RESOURCE OF LOCAL NAMES

Crocs can be found in any waterway in the Top End. Only swim in designated swimming areas that have signs - no sign, no swim.

Report problem crocodiles. Phone: 0419 822 859www.nt.gov.au/becrocwise

BE CROCWISE


West Arnhem Regional Council staff Jesse O’Keefe, Richard Denaro, Chrissie Nichols, May Brazil and Lare Stanton with the skin of an Olve Python (Liasis olivaceus) found on the outskirts of Jabiru last month.

To apply: Visit the website below or phone 08 8982 9522www.westarnhem.nt.gov.au/employment

Email completed application to: vacancy @westarnhem.nt.gov.au

Indigenous people are encouraged to apply

LIVE & WORKARNHEM LAND& KAKADU


• Community Safety Officer – Full Time x 2 Positions – Minjilang – No Accommodation available – Close Friday 12 September 2014

• Community Safety Officer – Full Time – Warruwi – No Accommodation available – Close Friday 12 September 2014

• Early Childhood – Group Leader – Full Time – Jabiru – No Accommodation available – Close Friday 5 September 2014

• Works Officer – Full Time – Jabiru – No Accommodation available – Close Friday 5 September 2014

• Community Safety Coordinator – Full Time – Gunbalanya – Accommodation may be available – Close Friday 5 September 2014

• Mechanic – Full Time – Gunbalanya – Accommodation available – Close Friday 5 September 2014

• Broadcasting Officer – Part Time – Maningrida – No Accommodation available

• Community Care Officer – Casual x 2 Positions – Gunbalanya – No Accommodation available

• Community Care Senior Officer – Full Time x 2 Positions – Gunbalanya – No Accommodation available

• Community Safety Officer – Full Time x 2 Positions – Gunbalanya – No Accommodation available

• Community Safety Senior Officer – Full Time – Gunbalanya – No Accommodation available

• Community Safety Team Leader – Full Time – Gunbalanya – Accommodation may be available

• OSHC / Vacation Care Officer – Part Time – Warruwi – No Accommodation available

• Pool Officer – Full Time – Maningrida – No Accommodation available

Ngal-wamud Na-Bunidj from Kakadu National Park

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the Nadji family for the loss of their daughter and sister.

She was a young woman who had so much potential. We will not forget her

and her contribution as a ranger to Kakadu National Park.

From the Kakadu Board of Management, the Director of National Parks and all the staff and families of

Kakadu National Park.

THAT’S ONE LOOOOOOOOOOONG SNAKE

Growing to more than four metres in length, Olive Pythons are Australia’s second-largest snake species. Harmless to humans, olive pythons are unfortunately often mistaken for the venomous king brown snake, and killed.

Often said to be ‘cousins’ of Oenpelli pythons, their diet

consists of birds, mammals and other reptiles, including rock-wallabies, fruit bats, ducks and spinifex pigeons.

They prefer to lie in wait next to animal trails to ambush their prey. They are also strong swimmers and are also known to hunt in waterholes.


12 West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang

ph 8979 0168 fax 8979 0134 e [email protected] [email protected]

GUNBALANYA SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

Your licensed community club!

• Bar hours

Tues & Wed 4:30 - 7:30pm

Fri & Sat 5:30 - 8:30pm

• Closed Sun, Mon & Thurs

• Snack food available all times

• Hamburgers and steaks Fri & Sat

• Mid-strength & light beers, soft drink juices & water

• 9 clean & tidy self-contained units

JABIRU BOYS BRING HOME THE BACON

FIVE young men from Jabiru Area School set out to Darwin last weekend to participate in the NT Athletics Championship.

Tristian Cunningham, Justin Cooper, Tyhren Baker, Daniel Wilson and Caramon Khaisir did the school, their families and themselves proud to return home with a reputation for outstanding sportsmanship, a keen competitive spirit and 10 medals.

This outstanding medal haul was an exceptional result for the hard work and dedication of the boys. The boys worked together flawlessly as a team with the following impressive results:

Tyhren Baker – 2nd in Shot Put and 1st in Discus

Caramon Kahasir – 1st in Shot Put, 1st in Under16 4x100 relay and 2nd in Under18 4x100m relay

Daniel Wilson – 3rd in 100m and 1st in Under16 4x100 relay

Justin Cooper – 2nd in Javelin, 3rd in Discus, 1st in Under16 4x100 relay, 2nd in Under 18 4x100m relay Tristian Cunningham – 3rd in Javelin and 2nd in Discus

The school’s Facebook page received over 1000 visits on the weekend as people logged on to get the constant news feed from the championships.

Jabiru Area School’s PE Coordinator Matt Mitchell was full of praise for the boys.

“The boys’ effort was faultless. Not only did they step up and compete in extra events, which they were not originally signed up for, but they challenged each other in such a positive way,” Mr Mitchell said.

“It also must be said that they boys showed real sportsmanship. They were first to shake each competitor’s hand and congratulate them.”

Congratulations to these five indigenous champions who are outstanding role models for all in our community and best of luck in the next round boys.

Caramon Kahasir, Daniel Wilson, Tristian Cunningham, Justin Cooper and Tyrhen Baker with their 10-medal haul.

Looking for Volunteers to start up

Junior SoccerPlease call James on 0439 086 760

Or come up to the Magela Oval on Wednesday before 6:00 pm(before senior soccer starts…)

By Matt Woodward

Gunbalanya School enjoyed the talents of Hoops for Life program recently.

The program was conducted during and after school, with students participating in a variety of activities aimed to build their skills around basketball.

Hoops For Life also talked with students about healthy choices, and everyone had a awesome week.

HEALTHY HOOPLA AT GUNBALANYA


2014 GURRUNG SPORTS CARNIVAL

West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang 13

Social tennismixed games from 5.30pm at the JSSC

call Phil 0414 842 367or Steve 0427 381 172for details

WEDNESDAYS

2014 Gurrung Women’s Basketball Premiers Maningrida Allstars.

2014 Gurrung Women’s Basketball Runners-Up Croker Eagles from Minjilang.

A fit, well-trained Warruwi Young Guns were strong contenders in this year’s 2014 Gurrung Sports Carnival Men’s AFL Premiership.

2014 Gurrung Men’s Premiers Jabiru Heat (black uniform) with Runners-Up Mardbalk Cats (blue uniform) from Warruwi after the Men’s Basketball Final.

Gurrung Sports Carnival organisers thank their Major Sponsors The Cricket and Football Shop and the Jabiru Sports and Social Club and the local businesses and Northern Territory organisations whose generous support and sponsorship made this event possible.

The Gurrung Sports Carnival is an initiative of the West Arnhem Regional Council to develop and support healthy participation in sport and recreation in the region.


SPORT

2014 GURRUNG SPORTS CARNIVALT HE 2014 Gurrung Sports Carnival is

over for another year, with hundreds of competitors travelling home to their

communities. Some will be carry trophies, some will be carrying bruises and battered pride – but all competitors will be carrying with them memories of a great couple of days of sport and sportsmanship.The games got underway in Jabiru on Friday 5 September, winding up with the Men’s AFL Grand Final, set against the stunning backdrop of the West Arnhem escarpment, closing the carnival at dusk on 6 September 2014.And as the dust settled, it was Jabiru Heat holding the trophy for the Men’s Basketball Premiership, having defeated Mardbalk Cats in the final. Most Valuable Player was Nathan Payne for the Heat. In the Women’s games, Maningrida Allstars emerged victorious, with Minjilang’s Croker Eagles taking the honours for 2014 Runners-Up. Most Valuable Player in the Women’s Basketball was Patsy Yambo Skinner from St John’s College.The Men’s AFL competition was a spectacular display, featuring players from Daly River, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Croker Island, Goulburn Island, Pine Creek and Darwin.Umpire Gerry Wood, who is also the NT Member for Nelson, said he was glad to be back in Jabiru for the Gurrung carnival.“Anything that brings people together, be they aboriginal or non-aboriginal, is good, and sport is one of the ways to do it,” he said.“It doesn’t matter what colour you are, you can always tell the umpire they got it wrong!“But seriously, Gurrung is good for Jabiru as a local centre, and brings together people who otherwise might not have that opportunity.”The competition was tough, but last year’s premiers, Minjilang, made it through to the grand final, to face a tremendously motivated Kybrook Lions. Both teams went into the finals undefeated.After the Lions took an early lead, the Tigers fought back to win 6.2.38 to 3.2.20 at the siren. Best on Ground went to Ashton Yarmirr from Minjilang Tigers.

Minjilang Tigers, 2014 Gurrung Men’s AFL Premiers. Men’s Final gets underway.

Best on Ground Ashton Yarmirr from Minjilang Tigers receives his award from WARC Sport & Rec’s Jesse O’Keefe.

Kybrook Lions captain Mike Junior Alangale and daughter Karen accept the Runners-Up trophy on behalf of the team.

The Daly River team at the Gurrung AFL comp.

Early in the first half it looked like Lions all the way. For more pics go to facebook.com/westarnhemregionalcouncil.

NTFL Umpires Ben Griffiths, Graeme Flesfadar, Mark Noonan, Joe Newsham, Gavin McHugh and Gerry Wood ensured the games were played in a safe and fair manner.

Minjilang Tigers clawing their way back at the end of the first half.

djuki mala (chooky dancers) take a tour of the east ... · photo: dominic o’brien people came...

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