Robinson River Katherine Region

Transcription

1 Robinson River Katherine Region Community Profile Pronunciation: Robinson River Alternate names: Mungoobada Location: 150km south-east of Borroloola, near Queensland border. 50kms off the Savannah Way. 800km north-east of Tennant Creek Robinson River NT region: Barkly Population: Approximately 285 Access: Road, in dry season only, and air from Borroloola Language groups: Garawa Climate (Barkly) Season Description Temp. Range Winter dry season (June to August) Cooler and dry 8 C to 23 C The temperature can drop below 0 C overnight in winter. Please ensure you are equipped for these extremes. Humidity Range 20% - 50%. Fine weather with no rain and the possibility of getting quite cold by Territory standards during June / July. Spring (Sept-Nov) and autumn (Mar-May) in Central Australia see warm days and cool evenings. Summer wet season (December to February) Hot and humid The temperature can rise above 40⁰C in summer. Please ensure you are equipped for these extremes. Humidity Range 30% - 85%. 20 C to 37 C Central Australia has a semi-arid climate. In the summer months, the days are generally hot, sometimes very hot. If rain is to fall, it is more likely in the summer months, which may lead to road closures. 1 Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

2 History Robinson River historically and today is a working cattle station. In 1980, the local Garawa people, whom largely resided in Borroloola, aided by the Aboriginal Development Committee began working on a land claim on the Robinson River region. The Land Claim was successful in 1992 and the Garawa people were handed back the Robinson River Station and surrounding region. Today, the Garawa people are the owners and operators of the Robinson River Station.... historically and today is a working cattle station. Community Life Description of community: Robinson River was formerly part of the Robinson River Station. Roper Gulf Regional Council provides a range of Local Government services in Daly Waters Night Patrol and Remote Jobs for Community People (RJCP) on behalf of another Government Organisation. The Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation is responsible for other services including, but not limited to Rubbish collection services, cemetery management, traffic management, companion animal management airstrip, the cattle station and the upkeep of parks and gardens. Changes in population: Population figures are estimates, as several factors impact on movement. These include seasonal changes and ceremonial activity. How is it affected by seasons: Robinson River is usually cut off during the wet season. There are several river and creek crossings that flood the area. Major landmarks or cultural factors: Caranbirini Conservation Reserve and Savannah Way. Local industry/mine: Orchard, market garden, cattle and horses, goats, chickens and turkeys. Tourism: Community fishing competition happens annually over the Easter long weekend. There is also a mustering school when scheduled. Arts/crafts: Local Women s Centre produces paintings, beads and other crafts. **Please check with the health clinic on arrival for sacred sites to avoid and health or social issues to be aware of. 2 Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

3 Governance Local Government Roper Gulf Regional Council Telephone (08) Web Community or other governance structures Outstations Permit Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation Telephone (08) Northern Land Council Telephone (08) Emu, Manangoora, Wandigula These are only serviced by the clinic in an emergency All visitors require a permit from Northern Land Council Web Infrastructure, facilities and services Community Church: Borroloola Community halls or sheds: None. Community meetings and discos are held at the shire office Work force skills or training facilities: At the Centrelink office and Savannah Gulf Office. There is also much more in Borroloola Post Office: Shire Office Opening hours Monday to Friday 9am 5pm Library: Closest is in Borroloola School: Pre-school through to Secondary (middle years) Council office: Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation Women s Centre: Yes Child Care centre: Creche is available Aged Care Centre: Closest is in Borroloola Community store Robinson River Store : Telephone (08) Store owned and managed by Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA). The store is well stocked. Fresh food available It is advisable to bring in any specialty products/items required Opening hours Monday to Sunday 9am 12pm and 2pm 5pm Other food outlets Food orders Recreational facilities Commercial accommodation There is a takeaway attached to the community store Food orders must be placed by Thursday night and needs to be phoned through to Pandion Haulage. This will arrive the following Thursday in Borroloola, then sent on to Robinson River. These orders come from Woolworths in Darwin Woolworths Darwin: Telephone (08) Pandion Haulage: Telephone (08) Web Football oval, basketball half court, fishing, softball and soccer matches happen during the dry season Lubba Lubba Lodge Telephone (08) Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

4 Fuel Mechanic Unleaded and Diesel fuel is available from the community store. You must have fuel card to purchase fuel There is a workshop with resident mechanic Police station At Borroloola Telephone (08) Alt. police contact Emergency only Telephone 000 Other Community Night Patrol provided by Council Telephone Check with clinic Telephone/internet/mail Mobile phone¹ Internet Other No mobile phone service in the region Internet access is available at the Health centre for reasonable personal use Landlines in accommodation Alcohol Alcohol² The community has alcohol restrictions so alcohol should not be carried in. For more details contact Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation on (08) Access Road 3 Air Regular passenger transport Borroloola (2.5 hours): The community can be accessed via 4WD during the dry season only. During the wet season, access to the community is cut off Katherine (10 hours): By road, the trip to Robinson River takes approximately 10 hours from Katherine. The double lane Stuart Highway is sealed the entire way. At Daly Waters, the Carpentaria Highway must be followed to Borroloola. This is a single lane Highway. The raining 150 km is dirt road. It is recommend to travel in a 4WD Tennant Creek (6-7 hours): Barkly Highway, Tablelands Highway to Borroloola, then unsealed road to Robinson River Facilities: There is a sealed, all weather airstrip near the community that can become cut off from the community during wet season Borroloola (20 minutes): Charters or Doctors Plane Air North flies daily from Darwin to McArthur River Mine. Robinson River is then a 3 hour drive Health Centre Health service Department of Health (DoH) Telephone (08) Web robinsonriver.clinicmgr@nt.gov.au ¹ Telstra 3G/Next G are typically the only mobile services that work in more remote parts of the Northern Territory. See link - ² It is an offence to consume or bring alcohol into a dry community in the Northern Territory ³ Approximate travel time one-way 4 Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

5 Staff Manager 1 (and RAN) Remote Area Nurses 1 Medical Practitioners 1 (visits on Wednesday) Aboriginal Health Workers 1 Aboriginal Community Worker 0 Administration Officers 1 Drivers/Gardeners/Cleaners 1 Other. - Facilities Two treatment rooms and an emergency room Operating hours Monday to Friday 8.30am 4.30pm On call Services Medical Records System 4 Vehicles From 5pm Monday to 8am Friday, and alternate weekends from 5pm Friday to 8am Monday Currently has midwife on site and only scheduled visiting services PCIS The Health Centre maintains a Toyota Troop Carrier that has been converted for use as an ambulance **Note: All Troop Carriers are 4WD, manual and take diesel fuel GP None. Attends from Borroloola on Wednesdays Visiting services Preventable Chronic Disease Public Health Nurse Optometrist Women s Health Educator Maternal, Child & Youth Health Team Audiologist Diabetic eye screening Palliative care Mental health Sexual health Dietitian. Acute care Other A Remote Medical Practitioner is on call 24 hours via Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) telephone consultations and evacuations. Emergency evacuations can be made to Darwin via Care Flight air ambulance Pregnant women birth in Katherine or Darwin Accommodation Accommodation Facilities Linen Two bedroom, free standing house **Note: Sharing of facilities may be required Washing machine and dryer, queen size bed and two single beds, air conditioner. Fully equipped Provided 4 Training should be arranged before your arrival in the community 5 Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

6 Vehicles Vehicle Policy No vehicle is provided for personal use NT DoH has a strict policy on vehicle use. Any non-clinical use is not acceptable What to pack for placement Clothes Supplies Personal effects Possibility of cool nights in middle of year, so light warm clothing is useful. In wet season (October April), clothing for very hot, humid days loose cotton clothing Please refer to this website for information on appropriate clothing to wear whilst out in a community Bring any specialty foods and a small quantity of fresh food **Note: Please be mindful of weight restrictions on plane travel Bring a hat, sturdy shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and toiletries Other tips or relevant information Other tips/relevant information Be prepared for variable standard of accommodation in communities. A sleeping bag sheet insert is a good idea for protection against biting insects Disclaimer This information is prepared in good faith and to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. However, Aboriginal communities, like any community, can change as the population shifts and people move on. Please contact the RAHC Regional Coordinator or the Health Centre Manager to confirm any key issues or concerns you may have ahead of your RAHC placement. RAHC also values any input and up to date information or photos you can provide to improve our Community Profiles. 6 Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region rahc.com.au Canberra Office Suite 17J, Level 1, 2 King St, Deakin ACT 2600 T F Darwin Office Level 4, Darwin Central Offices, 21 Knuckey Street, Darwin NT 0800 T F Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region