Anindilyakwa Land Council’s

Ayakwa

One People. One Voice. anindilyakwa.com.au

Stopping toads in their tracksA DOG and a quarantine officer are working together to help keep Groote Eylandt cane toad free.

Tom Lawton and two-year-old golden Labrador, Edna arrived three months ago.

They are working as part of the ALC’s Land and Sea Ranger team to protect the island’s swathe of threatened species including the Northern Hopping Mouse and the Northern Quoll.

Tom said Edna helped sniff out cane toads that tried to hitch a ride across on a barge.

The duo screens the Umbakumba barge on Wednesdays and will soon be doing the same in Alyangula on Mondays and Fridays.

“Edna and I are another link in the chain to ensure we can maintain a cane toad free island,” Tom said.

The local rangers are also using trapping and surveillance devices developed with researchers from James Cook University and Queensland University of Technology.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE• Cultural centres

pg. 3

• Royalty shopper pg. 4

• Gift bags for miners pg. 6

• Football heroes pg. 8

Newsletter | Issue no. 5 June 2017

Continued pg 3.

THE following Anindilyakwa lands are currently closed:Motorbike Track; Pole 24; Amakilyajirra; Lakelyamurramanja; Enumurramanja; South Bay and North Bay (closed indefinitely).

ALC ranger Jennifer Yantarrgna said it was important that residents and visitors respected the land closures.

Closures are regularly updated on the ALC website. Recreation permits to visit open areas can be obtained at the ranger base at Pole 13.

Music program unites clansCHILDREN from all 14 Groote Eylandt clans joined singer song writer Emily Wurramarra in a music workshop that tackled youth suicide.

Emily was joined by hip hop artist Dylan Lalara, producer Rush Williams and musician Mervin

Ngalmi in the creative session organised by GEMYDU to encourage the island’s youths.

On the first day of the workshop, it took less than an hour for Emily and her team to get members of all clans together to write and perform songs about a united hope for the future.

GEMYDU project manager Shane Nolan said the team encouraged children to “unify, dream big, be brave and resilient, and believe in their future”.

“Some of the challenges of running a program like this, are reaching the children on a grassroots level while overcoming the resentment and mistrust left behind after the 2015 riots,” Shane said.

“We do this by helping local role models to run their own program, their way, and it works.”

On the third day of the workshop, Emily’s new single ‘Hey Love’ reached number one on Australia’s metro charts.

“This left the children with no doubt that dreams can, and do, come true,” Shane said.

INSPIRE: Role model Emily Wurramarra shows local children how to record music.

Land closures

FREE car seats were installed for Anindilyakwa children aged eight and under during March.

GEBIE social program manager

Jill Simmons said everyone

in a car needed to be properly

restrained by seat belts or child

safety seats to prevent injury in

case of a sudden stop, swerve or crash.

“Car seats save many lives,” Jill said.

“They contact the strongest parts of the body, spread crash forces over a wide area, help slow down the body and protect the brain and spinal cord.”

SAFETY: Social Program coordinator Chloe Ingram installs a car seat in Umbakumba.

Spotlight on safety seats

Issue no. 5 | June 2017 pg. 2

continued from front cover

One of the devices listens for a toad’s breeding call and sends an alert to notify the rangers of the presence of a toad.

The other is a trap that emits a sound like a toad’s breeding call to attract the invasive and toxic pest.

Groote Eylandt has previously been home to cane toad detection dogs, most recently ‘Ozzie’ in 2014.

“Edna will be doing the same type of work but a

different dog trainer prepared her for her work on Groote,” Tom said.

Tom said his role would help protect the island from other invasive plants and animals including invasive ants coming across in pot plants or building materials, feral pigs, water buffalo, introduced weeds and other pest species that could have a devastating impact on the native flora and fauna, pristine ecosystems of the Groote Archipelago and the Anindilyakwa people.

Work begins on cultural hubsMULTIMEDIA and cultural centres are expected to be opened in Angurugu and Umbakumba by the end of the year.

Excitement is building in the communities with the start of construction of the centres, which are a part of an ALC plan to help reengage youths.

The centres will be used by all ages for cultural activities and to archive, share and create cultural content.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the centres would be equipped with ‘safe keeping’ places for clan songs, stories, artefacts, videos and photographs, using modern technology.

They would also include facilities to explore music, language, video production, radio, genealogy and cross cultural education; and to house an indoor cinema, arts program and men’s program.

Site works have begun at Angurugu, opposite the shopping centre and in Umbakumba, opposite the school.

Probuild NT has won the tender to build the centres, which will be raised on stumps and similar in style to Dugong Beach Resort. They will include open covered areas, lockable rooms, raised angled roofs, and landscaped areas.

The company is working with GEBIE Civil and Construction and Aminjarrinja as well as about six CDP workers.

A working group has also formed to design the fit-out of the centres with the communities.

Mark said the centres would build on the strength of the Anindilyakwa people – their culture, language, history, customary practices and connection to the country.

“The centres will engage individuals in early childhood development, education, training and economic participation,” Mark said.

“This is what Anindilyakwa people have told the ALC they want.”

Labrador joins island fight against cane toads

COLLABORATION: A working group formed to design the fit-out of the centres with the communities.

pg. 3Issue no. 5 | June 2017

Warehouse for cost price goodsA WAREHOUSE at Pole 13 will help to keep more money on Groote Eylandt.

The island’s economy is worth $6 million a year but the money has never benefited traditional owners.

Instead it went to paying inflated prices to businesses owned by non-Anindilyakwa people.

The opening of the ‘Royalty Shopper’ warehouse has seen all that begin to change.

Traditional owners can get an advance on their royalty payments to buy items imported in bulk at factory prices and sold at cost from the warehouse.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the warehouse stocked items such as bicycles, tyres, batteries, and household goods.

“For example, we sold 100 bicycles in two weeks,” Mark said. “Tyres can now be bought at half the

price of what was available on island.”

Mark said an electronic system was being set up so goods could be ordered by phone or ID card and delivered to homes.

Royalty Shopper is run by ARAC and managed by Amingarra, both local Aboriginal-owned businesses.

A fulltime warehouse manager and local staff are employed.

A part of the warehouse will be used as a car service centre for community vehicles, employing local apprentices.

ECONOMY: Traditional owners can get an advance on royalty payments to buy imported items.

UNITY: Angurugu’s senior women and staff joined to have lunch and reflect as part of National Reconciliation Week. The East Arnhem Regional Council event celebrated the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal people and other Australians. Following the lunch at Groote Eylandt Lodge, the women received gifts of locally made soaps.

Women reflect on reconciliation

Issue no. 5 | June 2017 pg. 4

Training workshops for teachersPRINCIPALS, teachers and assistant teachers are being trained in reading and writing teaching methods believed to improve literacy.

Staff from Angurugu, Milyakburra and Umbakumba were among 18 NT schools to take part in workshops in ‘direct instruction’.

Direct instruction is an approach that uses ‘phonics’ to teach reading and writing.

ALC chair Tony Wurramarrba said students

in regional areas such as Groote faced extra challenges in education.

“It’s important for all students to learn to read and write; literacy is the foundation on which you build the rest of your education,” Tony said.

“It shouldn’t matter where you live or which school you go to.”

The workshops were funded by the Federal Government.

Youths go on Country

CULTURAL TIES: Young men caught, prepared and cooked the spread as part of East Arnhem Regional Council’s On Country program. Youth officer Jasmin Ford said the weekly program allowed young people to “express pride in their culture, get out of community and practise cultural knowledge”.

pg. 5Issue no. 5 | June 2017

Education board provides hope for futureA HARD-WORKING board has released a new education blueprint to help rebuild the Groote communities’ shattered trust in the education system.

The document, the School-Community Partnership Agreement is ready for ALC approval.

It is the result of years of consultation and research involving hundreds of stakeholders spearheaded by the Anindilyakwa Training, Education and Economic Development Board (ATEED), previously called the Anindilyakwa Education Board.

GEMYDU took over facilitation of the board in late 2015.

ATEED board member Kathleen Mamarika said the bilingual document was expected to give traditional owners new faith in formal education.

“It’s good because it shows we need to learn both ways,” Kathleen said.

“It’s this both ways approach that provides the basis of a truly honest partnership which will move our children forward into a better future.”

ALC chair Tony Wurramarrba said “the most valuable thing the communities of the Groote Eylandt Archipelago can have post mining will be education”.

PARTNERSHIP: Clarissa Lalara, Debbie Durilla and Charlene Lalara prepare gift bags in the lead up to the awards.

GROOTE beauty products were showcased at the Women in Resources NT Awards in June.

The women at Bush Medijina in Angurugu created small gift bags containing lip balms, body balms and mineral clays for awards attendees, thanks to a partnership with South32 Groote Eylandt Mining Company, which sponsored the Awards.

Team leader Leonie Lalara said it was a great opportunity to show off Groote Eylandt.

“The ladies at Bush Medijina are proud because our products are getting famous and now we are sending gift boxes to the WA Awards in Perth as well,” Leonie said.

Twenty GEMCO employees and partners attended the awards to cheer on six GEMCO employees who were finalists in the five award categories; Natalie Bruce, Cintra James, Brooke Naughton, Rachel Bull, Yajun Tang and Andrew Bigg.

UNITY: Noelene Lalara and Kathleen Mamarika put the finishing touches to the document.

Beauty products for mining awards attendees

Issue no. 5 | June 2017 pg. 6

THE Federal Government has scrapped plans to pull $10million in funding from the MJD Foundation following a Federal Court ruling earlier this year.

In 2015, the Federal government lost the case against the MJD Foundation .

Indigenous Minister Nigel Scullion indicated in March the ruling would likely be the end of the dispute.

When the Coalition came to power, Indigenous Minister Scullion said he would withdraw the funding, citing it was an inappropriate use of Aboriginal Benefits Trust Account (ABA) funds.

His decision resulted in the legal battle with the MJD Foundation.

“Health services should be provided by the Department of Health, not by the ABA,” Minister Scullion said.

But MJD chair Neil Westbury said the matter was not just a legal issue but also a deeply moral one.

The organisation helps people living with Machado-Joseph Disease, a rare degenerative brain disease that affects an estimated 654 NT residents — mostly from Groote Eylandt — officially “at risk” and more than 100 currently “symptomatic”. There is no known cure.

MJD is a debilitating and deadly hereditary neurodegenerative condition that starts with muscle weakness then progresses to a total lack of voluntary control and significant permanent physical disability.

In the late stages of MJD, the person is permanently confined to a wheelchair and reliant on help for all activities of daily life.

GENETICS ON THE ROADA TEAM is hitting the road to help health workers better understand Machado Joseph Disease (MJD).

Six MJD genetic education workshops were held for 119 health professionals in May.

The MJD Foundation and VIC Clinical Genetics Services workers visited Groote Eylandt, Elcho Island, Nhulunbuy, Elcho Island, Katherine, Ngukurr and Darwin.

Foundation chief executive Nadia Lindop said the roadshows educated health specialists and helped MJD clients better understand the disease

affecting their families.

Nadia said MJD was

not well known outside

the region and health

professionals often

needed extra support to

know when to refer and

how to best manage the

disease.

Health professionals

appreciated the support

in understanding when

and how referrals to

genetic counselling and

testing should be made,

and knowing they can

work alongside the MJD

Foundation.

The organisation is

lobbying the Federal

Department of Health

to continue funding the

program.SUPPORT: MJD is not well known outside of the region.

Court dismisses appeal against $10m MJD grant

EMPATHY: MJD Foundation employee Alison Grootendorst guides health workers and builds empathy during a workshop to provide targeted education for carers of people with Machado Joseph Disease. The sessions covered areas such as communication, pressure care, and bowel care and are designed to build empathy and confidence and provide networking opportunities with other careworkers caring for people living with MJD. More workshops will be held this year.

Education for healthcare workers

pg. 7Issue no. 5 | June 2017

Ph 08 8987 4010Fax 08 8987 4098info@alcnt.com.au

30 Bougainvillea DrivePO Box 172Alyangula NT 0885

anindilyakwa.com.au

For editorial contributions please contact Daniela Cooper: danielacooper@outlook.com.au

THE Hawks notched up their first win of the season with a strong six-point win in Round Four of the Groote Eylandt Football League despite being 13 points down going into the last quarter against the breeze.

The 58-52 win was a surprise after the Cats won the previous three games.

Both sides were eager to showcase their football flare to the Angurugu community on June 17 and the game was made even more special by the arrival of new team apparel.

Strong performers on the day were Shannon

Jaragba, Brenton Bading, Nathan Pope, Campbell Wurramarrba and Nelson Bara.

Round Five will be at 7.30pm Friday in Alyangula and the community bus will run from Umbakumba and back for players and supporters.

SUPPORT: Kenny Morton, Nelson Bara, Campbell Wurramarrba, Robbie Wurrungun and Joel Ikupu.

Groote players score for DjarrakFOUR Groote Eylandt players were selected to play in the Gove Football League as a part of the Groote Eylandt Football Program on June 25.

They were reunited with host club Djarrak in their top of the table clash against Nguykal.

Campbell Wurramarrba, Nelson Bara, Kenny Morton and Joel Ikupu took the field while Robbie Wurrungun took up an assisting coach role alongside Djarrak head coach, Hayden Richard.

Program coordinator Joel Ikupu said Campbell and Kenny kicked a goal each to help Djarrak secure a 99-55 win and remain in the top spot undefeated.

Fierce comeback by Hawks

ON DISPLAY: The game was made even more special by the arrival of new team apparel.

pg. 8Issue no. 5 | June 2017