West Arnhem. Community Profile. Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) 1st edition March Funded by the Australian Government

Transcription

1 West Arnhem Community Profile Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) 1st edition March 2010 Funded by the Australian Government

2 This Community Profile provides you with information specific to West Arnhem of the Northern Territory. The information has been compiled though a number of text and internet resources, and consultations with members of the local communities. The first version of this Community Profile was prepared for RAHC by The Echidna Group and we acknowledge and thank Dr Terri Farrelly and Ms Bronwyn Lumby for their contribution. Other sources include: RAHC would also like to acknowledge and express gratitude to the Aboriginal people of the West Arnhem who have so generously shared aspects of their culture and communities for use in this Profile. *Please note: The information provided in this community profile is correct, to the best of RAHC s knowledge, at the time of printing. This community profile will be regularly updated as new information comes to hand. If you have any further information about this community that would be useful to add to this profile please contact RAHC via: enquiries@rahc.com.au or call 1300 MYRAHC. Photographs used in this Community Profile are copyright of the Remote Area Health Corps. Permission was sought from all individuals or guardians of individuals, before photography commenced. 2 Copyright Remote Area Health Corps, 2010

3 The Northern Territory This map of the Northern Territory, divided into regions, has been adapted from the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) Program Management & Implementation Section (2008) Map of the Northern Territory. 3 The depicted areas are for the purpose of the Remote Area Health Corps Community Profiles alone, and do not represent any Aboriginal language group, land or cultural group boundaries.

4 West Arnhem Area Profile This map of the West Arnhem area has been taken from the map of the Northern Territory, adapted from the OATSIH Program Management & Implementation Section (2008) Map of the Northern Territory. Major Communities Name Population Resource Centre Jabiru 500 Jabiru Town Council Warruwi 380 West Arnhem Shire Council Gunbalanya 1100 (Oenpelli) Minjilang 300 Jabiru Gunbalanya *The population figures refer to the number of Aboriginal peoples living in the community, and are estimates only. It should be noted that in many Aboriginal communities, population figures can fluctuate dramatically, due to a number of factors including seasonal changes (wet and dry seasons), and ceremonial activity. Communities can also known by several names this may include the European name given to it after colonisation, and several Aboriginal names. Languages in the Region The below languages have been noted to be present in this region. However it should be noted that as a result of colonisation, the growth of towns, and the transient nature of some Aboriginal peoples, there may be many different Aboriginal languages evident in a given area. Burarra Kriol Kunwinkju Warruwi Goulburn Island Maung, Walang Kriol is the contact language now spoken as a first language by most Aboriginal people across the region. Kriol is spoken in the Barkly and further north, but not generally far south of Tennant Creek. Aboriginal Interpreter Service NT Dept of Local Govt & Housing Central booking service The AIS Provides 24 hours 7 days a week central booking service. 4

5 Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) History Before 1900 the main Aboriginal people living around Gunbalanya escarpment were the Mengerr, Erre, Wuningak, Gagudju and the Amurdak people. The traditional territory of the Kunwinjku people stretches from the upper reaches of Cooper Creek, north of Narbalek towards the Liverpool River and south west to the area of Maningrida. The original Gunbalanya group, the Mengerr, lived in the Injalak area. These groups spoke their own language within their tribal lands and related to one another through the common Kunwinjku language. In about 1900, European buffalo shooters arrived in the area, bringing with them western goods such as tobacco, sugar and alcohol to trade for access and buffalo hides. Other major tribes of Western Arnhem Land, the Gunbalang, Maung, Ngumbur, Dangbon, Gundjehmi and Karik peoples, made their way westwards towards the buffalo camps and new mining settlements attracted by the supply of western goods and education for their children. Some chose to live in the camps or on newly established cattle stations. While Kunwinjku is the name of the language, the people refer to themselves as Birriwinjku which means freshwater people. Gunbalanya is the Kunwinjku name for the area although the more traditional spelling of Kunbarllanjnja is the legal trading name for the community council. Gunbalanya is not a community of one clan, but is made up of a number of clans. One of the early buffalo shooters was Paddy Cahill who settled in the area and in 1906 took out a dairy lease on the present site of Gunbalanya. In 1916 the Northern Territory Government took over Cahill s property and established an experimental dairy farm with Cahill as manager. After World War I, industrial disputes in Darwin ended the dairy experiment and the Federal Government invited the Church Missionary Society to take over. The Mission established gardening, livestock management, a community centre shop, health and education. After the introduction of self determination policies in the 1970s the Missions withdrew and a local council was established in Governance Following the withdrawal of the missionaries, the Gunbalanya Council Incorporated was registered in 1976 and the Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council established in Local government is provided by the West Arnhem Shire Council. Access & Flight Restrictions Gunbalunya is located in West Arnhem Land approximately 330km east of Darwin and 60km NNE of Jabiru. Road: Driving from Darwin on the sealed Arnhem Highway the turn-off to Gunbalanya is 4 km before Jabiru. The road passes through by Ubirr and the Border Store to Cahill s Crossing on the East Alligator River. From there follow the signs on to Gunbalanya. It is 16 km of dirt road from the crossing to the community and in the dry season travellers can drive from Darwin in about three hours or from Jabiru in less than an hour. Access by road can be limited during the wet season for weeks at a time with Cahills Crossing closing due to high water levels. Plane: The airfield can cater for all weather and night landings. There are a variety of charter companies and the airfield has RFDS/Airmed access. From Darwin: 45 minutes From Jabiru: 20 minutes 5

6 Infrastructure and Community Life Gyunbalunya consists of the township and eight outstations. There are up to 40 clan/groups: (12 are larger groups). The main language spoken is Kunwinjku with English usually the second or third language. The population is approx 1500 with approx 1000 in town and living in the outstations. There is a Community and Pre-School with Approx 350 enrollments. Classes are supplemented through NT Open Education Centre (NTOEC). There is a General store where groceries can be purchased however there is a limited range of fresh meat, milk, fruit and vegetables. There is a local Arts and Crafts industry, local sports and recreation club, barramundi fishing as well as social barbecues. The spectacular natural wilderness provides for other outdoor recreational activities. There is a swimming pool, basketball court and Australian Rules Football is very popular. Anglican Church services are available in the community and bible study groups are conducted in the local language. Gunbalanya is surrounded by coastal black soil plains, swamps and escarpment country. Three tall rocky hills: Arrguluk, Injalak and Banyan overlook the community which lies adjacent to a large billabong. Northern Land Council permits are required for visitors to cross the East Alligator River, the western boundary of Arnhem Land. Gunbalanya s location at the edge of Kakadu means that the area is popular with tourists visiting the Park or taking part in tours. Arnhem Land is famous for its bark paintings and the Injalak Art and Craft Centre at Gunbalanya has artworks for sale. Walking tours are also available around Injalak Hill, a site rich in ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings. The Health Centre The Health Centre is staffed by a GP, 4 RNs and up to 5 Aboriginal Health Workers. Phone: (08) Accommodation, Vehicles Accommodation for GPs is furnished 3BDR elevated house, fully equipped including white goods, phone internet and air-conditioning. Keeping the peace The district has two police officers and one Aboriginal Community Police Officer who patrol Gunbalunya and the communities of Warruwi, Murgenella and Nabarlek along with 16 outstations, including Goulburn and Croker Islands and the Coburg Peninsular / Gurig National Park. 6

7 Getting Advice The following organisations and contact numbers may be useful in locating sources of advice about Minjilang. Care has been taken to ensure these details are correct, however unfortunately some may change or be unattended. Demed Association Incorporated PMB 89 OenpelliNT 0822 Ph: West Arnhem Shire Council GPO Box 4246 Darwin NT 0801 Ph:

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