| 1 · 2019-08-14 · Umbakumba student Katelyn Bara said she liked making the chocolate cake and minestrone soup. Aside from experiencing a working kitchen, the group of students

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Ayakwa | April/May 2012 Edition 8

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A PUBLICATION OF THE ANINDILYAKWA LAND COUNCIL Issue 08April/May 2012 Edition

INSIDEMessage from Chairman ......... 2Message from CEO ................. 2

Top StoriesCommunity centre plans .......... 2Senior students cooking. ......... 3Councils forge .......................... 3Halt on seabed mining ............. 3Workers get qualifications ........ 4 Reopened Women’s Centre ..... 4Men prepare for mining ........... 5Successful store handover ...... 5Numeracy and literacy ............. 6New footy program for girls ...... 6

EconomyLife for empty field ................... 7New Job Shop workers ............ 7Kenny’s story ........................... 8Angurugu police post open ...... 8Jobseekers learn first aid ......... 8Workers learn on the job ......... 9

Land & SeaSigns show the way ................10Animal trapping .......................10Rangers help vet .....................11Surgery for family pet ..............11

Art & Culture Anindilyakwa story ..................12Artist in profile: Steven Bara ...13i learn with iStories .................14Telling my story .......................14Garden for linguistic workers ..15Linguist leaves workforce .......15

EducationDelicious meals for kids ..........16Traveling technology ...............16Preschoolers team up .............16Youngsters make spiders ........17New music teacher .................18Yes to homework ....................19New Umbakumba principal .....19Books and breakfast ...............19

Health & WellbeingLearning how to help ............. 20Footy players to keep healthy 20Hip hop workshops ................ 21Backyards blitzed ................... 21

SportCrocs swallow Lions .............. 22Boxing to stay fit ..................... 23Children active after school.... 23

Out & About..............24

Quiz...................................24

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Ayakwa | A PUBLICATION OF THE ANINDILYAKWA LAND COUNCIL

I have recently returned from a trip to the USA where I learnt about some of the issues facing Indigenous people in other countries.

We are not alone in the things we are fighting for and it was good to talk to other Indigenous people about how they have solved certain problems. We will be reporting more on this in the next issue.

As you will read in this issue, there have been some important announcements in regards to seabed mining and we are feeling very positive that we will win the fight – not just for the next few years but forever.

The communities have made it very clear that this is what they want. The older people understand the issues but we need to get it out to the younger ones as well. Our songlines, our ceremony lines and our

lives all depend on the sea as well.

It’s great that we are working with the Northern Land Council now. For them to come and actually sit down with us – that shows we can work together for the benefit of our people.

On another note, we need to keep putting things in place where we can get the young people involved in training and jobs and have them attend our executive meetings and take part. We keep trying to encourage them to take responsibility.

I’d like to see this happening on all our businesses on the island – the joint ventures as well.

It might be a long time coming but we’ve got to have something in place.

It’s important for our young future leaders – we’ve

Message from the Chairman

TONy WurrAMArrbAChairman

Anindilyakwa Land Council

Plan for new community centreWork is expected to begin soon on a new Community Multi-Function Centre at Pole 14.The Federal Government has approved the building, which will also house a new ALC/GEBIE office.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the new centre would allow for more local employment and services.

“During our consultations for the ALC’s 15-year Strategic Plan, community members have been telling us that our focus needs to be on finding ways to keep local knowledge alive and pass it on to young people,” Mark said.

“In this way, local people can build a strong economy that is based on offering cultural experiences.”

He said the centre was an opportunity to develop a model of how this could work.

“The development of a vibrant precinct across

Poles 13 and 14 will provide a base for Essential Service Delivery enterprises, ALC Rangers and an ALC/GEBIE office supporting, maintaining and promoting culture with the latest technology and available for all community people.

“This building will be something iconic and a model for a sustainable future, using local materials, workforce and sustainable power.”

It was a great day for the people of Groote Eylandt when a halt on seabed mining was announced by the NT Government in March (see article, page 3).

The ALC has now written to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to apply for the Groote Archipelago seas to be listed as a National Heritage Site.

The ALC is also collaborating with the Northern Land Council in preparing a Native Title Application to add yet another layer of protection. We are also still awaiting the support of the NT Government for the current Indigenous Protected Area managed by the ALC Rangers to be extended across this area as well.

At the end of the day we must protect the songlines that extend across these seas and which lie at the heart of Anindilyakwa culture.

Message from the CEO

MArK HEWITTCEO

Anindilyakwa Land Council

Liliah Mamarika, Chelsea Marawili, Rachelle Herbert and Sonia Bara play football in Umbakumba. They are gearing up for a women’s program. See page 6 for full story.

Cover story

Welcome to the April/May 2012 edition of the Anindilyakwa Land Council’s publication, Ayakwa.

reported to management and I am asking for lessons learnt to be shared across all organisations on the Eylandt.

We are setting up courses in off-road safety driving to be made available to all ALC/GEBIE employees but ultimately it is crucial that you as an individual take this alert seriously.

Take it easy and get there safely!

On a note of caution, over the past 12 months, seven vehicles have lost control and been written off on the Umbakumba Road. Six of these accidents have been rollovers. In the last few weeks there have been three rollovers with a passenger this time significantly injured. The drivers involved were experienced off-road vehicle operators and in most cases 4WD vehicles.

While the road is still under construction (not due to be completed until mid-year), the risk is high, particularly now that the wet season has arrived. We have been extremely lucky so far that nobody has been killed.

Extreme care must be taken at all times. While there is hard work going on behind the scenes to eliminate road design inadequacies and reduce risk, it is the responsibility of all drivers to slow down, stay away from soft edges (with their eroded steep gullies in many places) and drive defensively on blind corners.

It is also suggested that those with 4WD vehicles turn on the high range 4WD to improve traction.

The ALC will be releasing an updated vehicle policy shortly for ALC and affiliated organisations. From our side it is important that incidents are promptly

Enikaduwa a l ik i ra Communi t y-langwa akina karrar.dirrenama Pole 14-manja yakwujina akina kuwar.derrijejungwunama Pole 14-manja yakwujina akwa enikaduwa office ALC akwa GEBIE-langwa.

all got to understand there’s more to life than getting royalties.

We’ve got to take every opportunity, even if it means just getting one young man or woman through the process. That in itself is a big achievement.

WELCOME

Ayakwa: Issue 08 April/May 2012

Editor, stories, photography: Daniela Cooper0400 55 11 [email protected]

Anindilyakwa paragraphs:Groote Eylandt Linguistics

Additional text and photos: Thanks to MJD Foundation, Jobfind Groote Eylandt CDEP, Groote Eylandt Linguistics, East Arnhem Shire Vet, Groote Eylandt AFL

Design and layout: Daniela Cooper

Printed by: NT NewsISSN: 1837-5340© Copyright March 2012

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Senior students cook up a stormStudents from Umbakumba, Angurugu and Milyakburra completed their Certificate 1 in Hospitality at Alyangula School over two weeks.

They learnt practical kitchen skills and a highlight was an afternoon in the Dugong Beach Resort kitchen.

Milyakburra student Natasha Lalara said her favourite thing to cook was soup.

“We also made fish curry with rice and coconut for lunch,” Natasha said.

“It’s fun to cook.”

Umbakumba student Katelyn Bara said she liked making the chocolate cake and minestrone soup.

Aside from experiencing a working kitchen, the group of students learnt workplace skills such as health and safety, communicating, relating to customers, and personal and kitchen hygiene.

College Director Mark Monaghan said the training gave students practical life skills.

“It allowed students to explore some of the education, training and employment pathways available on Groote Eylandt,” Mark said.The 2012 school year has begun and

parents are being reminded of the importance of education.

At a meeting of the two councils in February, it was decided a taskforce would be formed using resources from both organisations to implement the most effective plan to protect these waters.

ALC Chairman Tony Wurramarrba said Traditional Owners were strongly opposed to any mining that could have significant cultural, environmental and social impacts on Aboriginal people in the area.

“Seabed mining is a hot topic at the moment with a number of resources companies keen to ramp up underwater exploration,” Tony said.

“For this reason we need to investigate all the possibilities for protecting these waters – and in turn, our culture.”

NLC Chairman Wali Wunungmurra said it was

important for the land councils to present a united front of the issue, which affects Traditional Owners from both jurisdictions.

“Cultural integrity is paramount to both land councils,” Wali said.

“Protecting the songlines, dreamings and traditional values of our Traditional Owners will always come before anything else.

“The ALC is the voice of Traditional Owners in East Arnhem land and the Native Title representative body for Groote Eylandt.

“It is (therefore) very important that the NLC works closely with our ALC counterparts on this matter.”

Councils forge to fight seabed miningThe Northern Land Council (NLC) and Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) have forged a new relationship to consider the controversial issue of seabed mining between Groote Eylandt and East Arnhem Land.

Senior secondary students have been learning to cook with the help of local chef, Kelly Craig.

COOKING: Natasha Lalara and Katelyn bara experience a professional kitchen.

The announcement came in response to the long and hard-fought campaign of Traditional Owners and ceremonial leaders to block the attempts by Northern Manganese Limited to explore and ultimately mine the seabed between Groote Eylandt and the mainland.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said it was a big breakthrough for the ALC’s Seabed Mining Committee and an important first step in protecting the area forever.

“This great news was initially brought to us by Arnhem MLA Malarndirri McCarthy who worked hard to support the decision announced by Resources Minister Kon Vatskalis,” Mark said.

Halt on seabed miningThe ALC is applauding the NT Government’s decision to halt exploration and mining in the NT’s coastal waters for three years.

Wurrarumuruma Secondary Students wur rak ina nuweningmudinuma warnikidaka aninga-murriya nakina-manja nengi-yelakwa-manja Chef Kelly Craig.

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Geraldine Amagula, Kristene Costa and Monica Lalara work together to coordinate activities at the Angurugu centre.

“The women that come here typicall watch TV, paint and make screen prints,” Monica said.

“They talk among themselves and do whatever they want to do. We organise activities if they want, such as fishing, bush tucker and arts and crafts.

Geraldine said the centre was a place where women had a voice and could deal with community issues.

“If anyone wants to come to the women’s centre, they’re always welcome,” Geraldine said.

“This building gives us women our own area – if women need something else, they can come here and talk to us.

“Women, if they’ve got a problem at home and they’re tired of it, they need to come here and rest. It works for every woman of every age.”

Geraldine said the women were banding together to talk about issues that affected the community, such as youth activities and suicide.

“We need more things for the kids to do, especially cultural stuff,” Geraldine said. “We need more camps, hand crafts, something where older men can teach singing to younger men and older women can teach dancing to younger women.”

Kristene encouraged women who didn’t participate in many other activities, to get involved.

The centre is open from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, in the same building as Groote Eylandt Linguistics.

Women meet in Angurugu centreWomen are finding a safe and friendly place to visit in the Women’s resource Centre.

INVOLVEMENT: Kristene Costa, Geraldine Amagula and Monica Lalara spend a morning planning activities for women.

Workers get qualified

QuALIFIED: Vail Wurramara learned what he needed to get his certificate.

The Milyakburra man said he learned most of the necessary skills as part of his everyday work with the East Arnhem Shire Council.

“We had to do excavating and use power tools, Vail said.

Participants also had to learn leveling, measuring, calculating, draining, dewatering and operating small plant and equipment to get the certificate.

Vail said as part of his job, he also did the rubbish round and sludging.

“Plus a bit of mowing in the dry season,” Vail said. “We make it look nice and clean.”

He has been in the job for more than five years and previously worked with the former Shire.

“I like the job,” he said.

The certificate course involved “a little bit of paperwork” but is was good to get the qualification, Vail said.

Vail Wurramara is among several apprentices to complete a Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.

Nakina Vail Wurramara niyemama Certificate enilangwa¬¬-langwa worka Shire-langwa.

TOP STOrIES

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Men prepare for mine employmentCANDIDATES: Anson Wu rraw i lya , ru e b e n Mamarika and ruebenstan bara are among 10 men doing a pre-employment course in the hopes of landing a job with GEMCO.

The six-month course started on March 6 and is divided up into one week at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE), one week at GEMCO, followed by one week off.

It includes training in literacy, numeracy, leadership, personal development, vocational training and team building exercises.

JobShop manager Carol Bankier-Hermans said

the course was designed to simulate the real work environment.

“It’s about developing employment skills rather than just learning a job,’ Carol said.

“We want to teach these men to be leaders in their community.”

The program is a pledge by GEBIE and GEMCO as

part of the Regional Partnership Agreement.

ALC chairman Tony Wurramarrba said the new program would be good for local people.

“It’s good that GEMCO is doing sessions on how the mine works,” Tony said.

“This will give our young people a better insight into some of the things happening on the island.”

Community celebrates successful store handover

SErVICE: Store clerk Ahloma bara has been serving shoppers including Manita Wurramara since the store ownership was handed over.

East Arnhem Shire Council (EASC) handed the shop over to the community in July last year, for it to be managed by a local Indigenous corporation.

The store was transferred to Warningakalinga Aboriginal Corporation on request of the community.

The Angurugu Store was the first store built in remote NT that was bought by the Traditional Owners with money made from selling pearl shell artefacts and sea produce. Later it was owned by the Community Government Council and when this was disbanded, the Government absorbed the asset.

EASC Angurugu Manager Gordon Walsh said the handover showed the council’s commitment to developing self-sustainability and having the town managed by the community wherever possible.

“We were only going to hold it until a community organisation could take it over,” Gordon said.

Warningakalinga spokesperson Rebecca Butler said the store was trading well and had big plans.

She said the store was also about to be air-conditioned. There are also talks with the Australian Government to use part of the facility for a Government Business Centre.

It already houses a government Centrelink office.

Angurugu Store has been doing well in its first nine months being run by a community association.

Several men have started a mining industry pre-employment program, which guarantees employment with GEMCO if they complete it successfully.

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Mine workers improve literacyMine workers requested English and maths lessons and their employer is ensuring it is happening.

PrOGrESS: Josiah bara, Adam Mamarika, William Amagula, roger Lalara and Dabian Jaragba are working hard to improve their maths and English skills so they can do better on the job.

CONGrATuLATIONS: A cake was made in celebration of 10 years of service.

GEMCO employees have the chance to improve their literacy and numeracy as part of their work week. How well they progress is linked to their pay.

“As they move through different levels, their pay goes up,” Literacy and Numeracy Trainer Carolyn Fletcher said.

Carolyn hosts the classes for one group in Alyangula on Tuesdays and for another at the mine site on Wednesdays.

“When they start working, we do an assessment to see where their literacy and numeracy skills are at and whether they need the training,” Carolyn said.

Participant Roger Lalara said the training even helped with skills such as talking to a customer before cutting down a tree.

“We learn about sounds, maths, reading and writing,” Roger said. “It’s to make our jobs easier and help us better understand our supervisor.”

So far he and his workmates have learned about money, how to put it in the bank and knowing how much they have to spend.

Roger said he is using the tips to help him save. “We’re also discussing when and how to do tax returns,” Roger said.

Classmate William Amagula said it helped teach him how to make a budget for holidays.

Josiah Bara said if he gets money back from his tax return, he wanted to use it to do “something for the kids”.

Dabian Jaragba said they were learning to read their work safety pacts.

He started doing the literacy and numeracy training in May and likes that he can help his children with their homework now.

New footy program for girlsbasketball has long been the sport of choice for local Groote Eylandt women but football may soon be the new favourite.

Local schools are starting football programs for girls in an attempt to teach the sport.

Umbakumba student Lucinda Mamarika said she liked to play sport.

“My favourite is basketball,” Lucinda said. “And next favourite is football.”

Lianna Mamarika said it was good to learn a new sport.

Umbakumba Year 6/7 teacher Brandon Bull said the girls were enthusiastic about playing football.

KEEN: Liliah Mamarika, Chelsea Marawili, rachelle Herbert and Sonia bara play football in umbakumba.

ECONOMy

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Dani Hall and Vanessa Mathew came on board as Case Managers. Vanessa has since moved to take the job of Steve Costello in Post Placement Support, helping people in their new jobs.

Vanessa said she had been made to feel welcome by jobseekers.

“The people here are very warm, genuine and friendly,” Vanessa said.

“I’m looking forward to learning and meeting more of the community.”

In her spare time, she likes to do gardening.

Dani said the job market was promising for anyone looking for work.

“Here there are more jobs than people – it’s basically the opposite of anywhere else,” Dani said. “It’s important that we work with the people so they can learn the skills they need to do these jobs.”

Dani lives in Alyangula with her partner and two dogs. Her hobbies include gardening and fishing.

Two new staff members are quickly settling into their roles at the GEbIE Job Shop.

New Job Shop workers

NEW FACES: Vanessa Mathew and Dani Hall are working to teach jobseekers new skills for the job.

Eight jobseekers are spending this year bringing life to the market garden with the help of supervisor, Ninette Lalara.

Al ready they have tapioca, sweet potato, paw paw and bush blueberries growing.

“ W e a l s o w a n t t o g r o w beetroot, snake beans, carrots and le ttuce,” N ine tte sa id . “It will make us healthy because it’s fresh. It’s better than eating junk food.

“We are also growing herbs in old boats and fridges.”

The local women’s centre will use the fruit and vegetables for their Meals on Wheels program and anything left will be available for the community.

The jobseekers have star ted potting and planting and are looking forward to more rain.

“When it’s dry, the soil is hard to work with,” Ninette said.

“When the rain comes, it’s soft.”

Construction contractors AEC and East Arnhem Shire Council have helped get the market garden underway.

“We’re grateful to them because we don’t have the machinery ourselves,” Marianne Walsh from the GEBIE Job Shop said.

Jobseekers bring new life to empty fieldMilyakburra residents will soon be eating more locally-grown produce thanks to a GEbIE Job Shop program.

CrEATIVE: Carole Wurramara helped make a lovely mural as part of her job with Groote Eylandt Linguistics.

GrOWTH: Ninette Lalara starts work on the community garden, which will provide fruit and vegetables for locals.

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“I am welder who welds trestles, pantries, shelving and cupboards.

“Previously, I worked for the GEBIE Job Shop. I got my training through the Job Shop.

“Last year I did courses and training and then I changed jobs to GEBIE Civil and Construction (GCC).

“I like the job. I’ve made lots of new friends.

“We do ongoing training. I’ve had training from Marrara Christian College in welding…things like how to use an oxy. The guys also trained us in how to use hand tools.

“I am married to Mertelle Murungun who works at the school.

“I have four kids, my two girls go to school here in Angurugu.

“My youngest son is staying with grandparents in Darwin doing school in Palmerston and my other son is on Bickerton.

“I’m from Numbulwar originally. I still go to Numbulwar for reasons, such as when they have a ceremony for men’s business.

“My uncle is a welder, but now he works for Homelands Centre taking rations to the outstations.

“Another uncle is a qualified electrician. He lives

My STOry

PrACTISE: Greg Mamarika learns how to treat various types of injuries with the appropriate bandaging techniques on his “patient”, Daniel Ngurruwuthun.

ON THE bALL: Kenny Nunggumajbarr takes a look at the GCC jobs board. “These are jobs in progress,” he says. “When guys have a job they give us a PO and we put it up here so we don’t forget.”

Jobseekers learn first aidFive JobFind CDEP participants and employees plus three others learnt how to apply first aid in February.They completed an Australian Red Cross course over three days with the help of instructor, Chris Powers.

CDEP Manager Rod Cordell said the students began the course by learning the life-saving technique of CPR, including the well-known acronym DRS ABCD.

This means to check for Danger, Response, Send for help, check the Airways, Breathing and if they’re not breathing, administer CPR.

“They also learned about using the Defibrillator machine,” Rod said. “It was new to most of the participants how it automatically analyses the patient and guides the first aider. The students also learned how to put a patient into the recovery position and why this is so important as well as learning about shock and its effects on the body.”

Other topics included treating bleeding, breaks, strains, burns, dehydration and bites.

Angurugu welder Kenny Nung-gumajbarr talks to the Ayakwa about his life, family and work.

in Ngukurr. I’m sort of following in their footsteps. I want to be like my uncles. I want to weld. I want fix outboard motors and cars.

“I’m looking forward to doing my mechanical apprenticeship. I want to do my electrician ticket too.

“My dad is an elder – when ceremony is on, he is in charge.

“I want to learn more knowledge from him so I can pass it on to my kids. But my dad is too far away – on the mainland.”

...with Kenny Nunggumajbarr

New police presence in AnguruguThe new Angurugu Police Day Office is now open.The police post is a commitment of the Regional Partnership Agreement (RPA) for Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island.

ALC chairman Tony Wurramarrba encouraged residents to work with police.

“Where possible, go to the new police post and actually sit down with the police and sort things out if you have an issue,” Tony said.

“Community people have to be mindful that police are here for everyone and they are here to help.”

ECONOMy

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Workers learn on the jobTrainees from local construction company, Aminjarrinja Enterprises have been working on a new umbakumba house under the guidance of Territory Alliance.

In just four weeks the trainees had the house ready for the concrete block walls to be filled.

The house is one of 12 that have just been finished in the new Umbakumba subdivision at the entrance to the town.

Aminjarrinja chief executive Keith Hansen said five Umbakumba trainees worked on the house.

“They started from the slab and built it up to where it is today,” Keith said.

It is exciting times for Umbakumba with local companies partnering with off-island contractors.

Through the SIHIP Program and working closely with GEBIE Civil and Construction, Aminjarrinja has completed 38 renovations at Umbakumba and 13 at Milyakburra.

All 51 houses have been painted inside and out, 68 slabs have been batched and poured and 67 houses core filled.

The corporation has also built a new house at the Four Mile outstation.

Trainee carpenter Nicki Marawili said he has been with Aminjarrinja for more than six months and

rEADy TO GO: Nicki Marawili shows off the new umbakumba house he was working on.

was enjoying the work. “I am learning a lot,” Nick said. Keith said all of the corporation’s indigenous trainees had now received their White Card, which

allows them to work on any construction site in Australia. Some are also completing Certificates 1, 2 and 3 in General Construction.

W u r r a k i n a w u r r i l y a k a l y u w a warnungkwarba nuweningmudinuma a k w a n a r r a m a m u r i k a j u w a m a narringekburakama alikira Mikbamurra-manja.

Drew Bara (pictured right) is learning new skills while having a break from learning on the computer.

He is making shell necklaces. Here he is using a drill to put holes in the shells.

Usually he goes to JobFind CDEP in Angurugu to learn skills such as telling the time, mentoring, nutrition, starting work and personal presentation, using the computer program, Budda-Jitja.

Drew said he enjoys learning. “I like to learn on the computer,” Drew said. “But it’s also good to learn something practical.”

Taking a break from learning

Nakina Drew Bara nilyinginama

drilla kajungwa kinar.dirrena-yada

edirra kajungwa kiningekburakina-

yada arnarrirnarra.

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Signs show the way to recreational areas

The ALC Rangers funded the new signs.

Another 30 signs were put up across Groote Eylandt last year with safety and environmental messages.

“These new signs have been in the plans for a while, “ Head ranger Gavin Enever said. “They will make it a bit easier to find recreational areas.”

Twenty-two new signs have been put up to show visitors how to find recreational areas.

WAy TO GO: robert Mamarika, Phillip Mamarika and Keith Lambert put up a sign (above); the new sign that points towards Salt Lake (above left).

From an eagle to a bandicoot, there are plenty of surprises in store for the rangers when they check the traps.

Ranger Nicola Maminyamanja said it was important to do the trapping right to protect the animals.

“We put the bait in the quoll traps in the afternoon,” Nicola said.

“They are checked at 6am three times per week. They have to be checked at 6am so any animals we catch can be released before the sun comes up so they don’t get really scared. Their eyes are no good because they are noctural.

“We have been catching a bandicoot and quolls in the traps,” Nicola said.

Additionally, cat traps are checked every morning.

“In the cat traps we have found a snake, goanna, blue-tongue lizard and an eagle,” Nicola said.

“We recently put a cat trap in an old car, like we always do. We went to check it and someone had put another old car on top of it so now we can’t get the trap out because we’re too scared the car might fall over.”

Interesting finds as animal trapping continuesThe ALC’s female rangers have been trapping quolls and cats as part of continued research work – but all kinds of other curious creatures have made their way into the traps.

WATCHFuL EyES: ramalisha Mamarika and Michele Wurramara set off in the dune buggy to check more traps.

LAND & SEA

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rangers help visiting vetDr Emma Kennedy said the workload of the busy week was eased by great help and hard work from the ALC Rangers.

“The rangers were also very generous in providing their shed for me to set up my make-shift surgery,” Dr Emma said.

The rangers were involved in treating dogs for scabies, mange, worms and ticks, as well as collecting dogs for check-ups and desexing operations.

Dr Emma also helped with the Ranger’s cat culling program. Many wild or unwanted cats were trapped by the rangers and brought to Dr Emma to be euthanised humanely.

“The week was yet another great success,” Dr Emma said.

“The rangers improved their dog handling skills and learnt about preparing animals for surgery. A total of 17 dogs and 2 cats were desexed, and 45 parasite treatments were given.”

Many umbakumba pets were desexed and treated for parasites during a visit by the East Arnhem Shire Vet.

JOINT EFFOrT: ALC rangers Kenny Mamarika and robert Mamarika work with Dr Emma Kennedy.

East Arnhem Shire Vet, Dr Emma Kennedy and her team of helpers paid special attention to Marbelada, who had been run over by a car weeks earlier.

Her back left leg had been badly broken. It had developed into a painful, infected wound and Marbelada was quite unwell.

Dr Emma visited with volunteer vet, Dr Linda. With the help of ALC Rangers they were able to help Marbelada, who is owned by local woman, Vivienne Mirniyowan.

“Marbelada’s leg was so badly damaged that it couldn’t be repaired,” Dr Emma said. “To remove the source of pain and infection, the only option

Special treatment for Angurugu family pet

An Angurugu pet has learnt to hop around easily on three legs after it was operated on late last year.

was to amputate her leg.”

She recovered well from surgery, and was reunited with her family to rest and allow her body to heal.

“She’s coping very well,” Dr Emma said.

Dr Emma will be visiting Groote Eylandt again soon. Anyone that has pets needing a check up, treatments for worms and ticks, or desexing to stop them from having puppies, is encouraged to see Dr Emma.

JOINT EFFOrT: Marjory yantarrnga, Thomas yantarrnga, Farrizio yantarrnga and Antonia Wurramara are reunited with Marbedala after the surgery.

rECOVEry: Marbelada’s broken back leg was removed during an operation.

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Dumaminjarrminjarrma akwa Yilyakwa

Dumaminjarrminjarrma-langwa angalya Yimurndumanja yingambilyuma. Eneja Yilyakwa erribirra nambilyuma amarda-manja, eka-manja.

Arakba kambirra yingumebinuma

Dumaminjarrminjarrma emeba marringa-manja.

Yingu-mebinume-ka, nare-ka, Yilyakwa angwurra, enejukwaba nakardangu-murra, Yilyakwa angwurra karrawara

nambilyuma ayakwa.

“Niyamarrkama Yilyakwa yaka?

“Niyengbiyengbinama ababurna ayakwa. Likiya

arakba angerriba, jeyi likaja arakba angerriba

ayangkwulyumudawa,” yingiyama. “Nara arakba

yelakwa ambilyanguma,

yiyangkiyangkwarriyakina,

yi-lyambilyambilyurrkwuna,” yingiyama.

Kambirra arakba nilikena yakina yilyakwa angerriba ayangkwulyumudawa, ayangkwulyumudawa nilikena kambirra, yilakwa

Numurndakalikena arakba nara yibina yilyakwa kamba yakwujina aduwaba yinguminangkirraju-mubaba dakina Dumungamura. Dumungamura dadimikirra dumarringa-langwa, Dumaminjarrminjarrma-langwa,akina ekirra

Ngalalangwa,Yimurndumanja angalya yingambilya murri-langwa.

Eneja yilyakwa nambilyuma erribirra ayika,

amardakba, ajiringkakba yinungumarma. Akena

yinguminangkirraja dakina akwa nara kamba yilyakwa yibina aduwaba yakwujina.

This story was told by Nangwurruma Wurrawilya in his native tongue, Anindilyakwa many years ago. It was translated into English by Groote Eylandt Linguistics in 1989 for the Volume 9 edition of ‘Akarikarra Ena jurra yirrilangwa’. Minor editorial changes were made in December 2011.

Grasshopper’s place was Yimurndumanja and she lived there. Sugarbag lived at erribirra in the grass and trees.

Now Grasshopper was trying to sing in the night. But Sugarbag was humming very loudly, he was making too much noise.

“What’s wrong with Sugarbag? He is talking too much. Go now over there, go now over there to the mainland,” she said.

‘’Don’t stay here any longer. You’re spoiling my song, you’re drowning it so that no-one can hear it.”

Then Sugarbag went there to the mainland. All the sugarbag went now to the mainland.

So there aren’t any sugarbag there today because Dumungamura, the Grasshopper, chased them away.

Dumungamura is the name of crickets and their place is Yimurndumanja.

Sugarbag used to live there anywhere on the trees, in the grass and in the wild honey in the ground.

But Grasshopper chased them away and so there aren’t any sugarbag there today.

Grasshopper and Sugarbag

by Nangwurruma Wurrawilya

ArTS & CuLTurE: STOry

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“Most of my work is acrylic on canvas or bark painting with ochre,” Steven said.

“I mainly paint totems and places. These are important for us. We don’t paint anyone else’s totem, just mine and Fecility’s.”

Their carvings are made from milk wood and native hibiscus timber collected from the soft wood scrub on Groote Eylandt coastal land.

“You can tell a lot about culture through art,” Steven said. “That’s why we like to do art – to share the story of our people and who we are…to educate people about the Warnindilyakwa people.”

Steven and Felicity live at the Bartalumba Bay outstation.

Steven bara was taught to carve by his wife, Felicity Wanambi. Now they work together on carvings and canvas paintings, using traditional ochres and acrylic.

Artist in profile: Steven bara

SHArING THE STOry: Steven bara uses acrylic to work on a canvas painting.

Nakina Steven Bara niyema nakina nilyungkwenama alida kajungwa kenuwilyajina-yada warnumamalya Warnidilyakwa-manja.

ArTS & CuLTurE

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i learn with iStories

From aged care residents through to linguists, community members are taking part in the iStories project, and making apps for iPads that children can use to learn the Anindilyakwa language.

If the trial project is successful on Groote Eylandt, it will be taken to other Indigenous NT communities.

Groote Eylandt Linguistics is working with NT Libraries and other stakeholders to coordinate iStories.

Project officer Tony Gray said they were making educational material so children could learn at home or in the library, rather than just at school.

“Community groups are seeing what the possibilities are with an iPad, from making videos to making music,” Tony said.

Linguist Rhoda Lalara said different groups were having fun making resources right across the three communities.

“Mothers are working with the team at preschool,” Rhoda said.

“Young men are using the program to make music. Senior girls are making video clips of local stories and music videos.”

The linguists were making short educational videos using puppets and writing new educational songs.

Community members are using technology to make learning fun for local 0-5 year-olds.

“And aged care residents want to do more story writing and particularly focus on old Macassan and Indigenous words that have evolved into the Anindilyakwa language,” Tony said.

“Many of the stories are about totems, skin and

country.” iStories began late last year and has continued this year in all three Groote Eylandt communities.

“Across the three places, we’ll be able to create some really great resources,” Tony said.

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TECHNOLOGy: Project officer Tony Gray and Linguist rhoda Lalara are working with community groups to make iPad apps for preschool-aged children.

ArTS & CuLTurE

The students are learning how to introduce themselves and tell their story.

“I am trying to encourage them to speak up and have a strong voice – to be confident in themselves to speak aloud,” teacher, Veronique Exelby said.

“We are working in little groups now and building up towards getting them to come to the front of the class individually.”

The students answered questions that prompted them to tell their story and then practised writing it in an interesting way.

“We will use the stories to make a book and use the talking sessions to make a video,” Veronique said.

“We are also talking about a child from a different culture every day.

“We talk about the similarities even though they may have a different name, country and language.”

Telling my storyumbakumba year 4/5 girls are making books and videos to share their stories.

CuLTurE: Nakeisha Mununggurr writes her story to record on video.

Garden to improve work environment

Linguistics employee Sylvia Tkac is managing the project to beautify the outside of their Angurugu building.

GEBIE Civil and Construction (GCC) have come on board, offering to make an outdoor table and chairs as part of a work experience project.

The company also delivered soil for a garden at the front of the building.

“We have been getting cuttings and our garden is starting to grow,” Sylvia said.

Linguistics coordinator Frances Hartley said it was part of the process to create a better work environment by improving the surrounds.

“If we can get some garden furniture, we can work outside rather than being stuck inside the office all the time, especially in the dry season when the weather is nice,” Frances said.

A new partnership is helping to create a better atmosphere for Groote Eylandt Linguistics workers.

Clan songs tell historyA large collection of Anindilyakwa clan song texts, recordings and notations has been sorted and categorised by Groote Eylandt Linguistics.

Groote Eylandt clan songs ‘emeba’ were recorded by Alice Moyle in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Linguist Caroline Wurramara finished the mammoth work of sorting them and putting them onto CD, in time for her retirement in February.

“Our people still listen to all those old songs,” Caroline said. “We keep buying copies of our songs so our children can learn them.

“Songs are like history books to us. When people lose their knowledge they can listen to the songs and learn it again.

“The recordings came from Canberra and we would check them, separate Moeity 1 and Moeity 2 songs and write down lyrics,” Caroline said.

“Then we would distribute them so the community doesn’t lose them. We’ve now got a songbook and CDs for sale.

Groote Eylandt Linguistics is selling clan song CDs through the Ngarnindilyakwa Langwa Shopa in the Alyangula Arcade for $10.

Local linguist leaves workforce

After many years of service with Groote Eylandt Linguistics, Caroline Wurramara has retired. Linguistics coordinator Frances Hartley said Caroline would be greatly missed in the office.

“She will be missed not only for her wicked sense of humour, but her seemingly endless knowledge of history and culture,” Frances said.

“Her contributions to many projects over the years have been significant.

“This includes the Groote Eylandt clan songs.”

FArEWELL: (right) Caroline Wurramara retires with a morning tea; (above) pictured with her linguist colleagues, Geraldine Amagula, rhoda Lalara, Frances Hartley and Sylvia Tkac (rear) and Monica Lalara and Melva Wurramara (front).

IN PrOGrESS: Sylvia Tkac turns the sod in preparation for the new garden.

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Traveling technology workshop hits GrooteTeaching staff are learning how to use technology to make learning more fun for students.

Workshops were held at all four Ngakwurra Langwa schools in March for staff to learn to creatively use iPads, to edit pictures and to use an online learning community called Edmodo.

The Nightcliff Technology Precinct Roadshow worked with teachers to help them with their computer and technology needs.

Principal Kristie Lloyd said staff also attended a workshop about games-based learning that included an exciting treasure hunt.

“It is important that staff are inspired and encouraged to be creative to keep learning fun and stimulating for students,” Kristie said.

More roadshow events are planned for the future.

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EDuCATION & yOuTH

Delicious meals for hungry kidsThe meals are dished out as part of the School Nutrition Program for school-aged children from remote NT communities.

The program is to encourage students to attend school and to help them with learning.

Coordinator Kelly Craig said eating nutritious food made the brain work better.

“Kids need to eat healthy food to do well in school,” Cliff said.

“For example, research shows that children who regularly eat breakfast have better test scores, better behaviour, are able to learn better and are less hyperactive than children who skipped breakfast.

She said there were many reasons children went to school without eating breakfast including lack of access to nutritious food. When families send their children to school, they know that they will be looked after and fed,” Kelly said. “It’s also a good social activity for everyone to eat together.”

Local workers prepare and deliver the meals.

Students attending Groote Eylandt schools are fed breakfast, morning tea and lunch to ensure their brains are

The youngsters worked as a team to build the

hopscotch using red plastic tiles.

“The boys used their strong muscles to carry the

tiles outside,” teacher, Tobi Andrews said.

“Everyone helped to put them down in a fun and

interesting pattern.”

Once it was finished, the boys were given an ice

block for their help and hard work.

Then the students took turns jumping on their new

hopscotch.

This taught them coordination skills, sharing and

improved their physical abilities.

Preschoolers team up to tileAngurugu preschoolers made a hopscotch on the grassed area using tiles.

INTErACTIVE: Stanley Kerr, Sylvester Wurramara and Mishaya Shannon place the tiles in a pattern.

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EDuCATION & yOuTH

Delicious meals for hungry kidsLisa Wurrawilya started working at the school in February.

She says that on a typical day, the students might eat weetbix and milk for breakfast and chicken with noodles for lunch.

“For morning tea, I make vegemite and cheese crackers or fruit – they love the fruit the most…oranges and apples,” Lisa said.

“At lunch they finish all of the food.”

New kitchen worker

Milyakburra students are being spoiled by a new school chef.

Wurriyukwayuwa wurribina nalikajama G ro o te E y l a n d t S c h o o l s - u wa narrakwunama aninga wurdarriyawiya akwa eningu-wurdarriyawiya aninga akwa memerrikuwilyarra kajungwa aburrilangwa mangma kumuwar.dena-yada meningaba.

The program is a part of the NT Emergency Response by the Australian Government to improve the wellbeing of Indigenous people.

Parents and carers are expected to contribute to the cost of the food for each child they support by making contributions via Income Management (IM), Centrepay or Electronic Funds.

always working their best.

umbakumba preschool and transition students learned about cutting and developed their fine motor skills by making spiders from paper plates and cardboard.Assistant teacher Ethel Mamarika said the children cut out the legs and stuck it all together to make their own paper spiders.

“It’s good that they are learning cutting and glueing because that helps them with other learning,” Ethel said.

Narrison Lalara said he liked his spider.

CuTTING: Narrison Lalara shows his finished paper spider.

Youngsters make spindly spiders

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EDuCATION & yOuTH

Groote Eylandt has a new music teacher who is adding lots of excitement to school music programs.

Dominic Le Souef says local students are musical and keen to learn.

“Everyone is very enthusiastic,” Dominic said.

“The community schools have very developed rhythmic ability and the Alyangula choir has a good sense of pitch.”

Dominic has come from Alice Springs Senior College, where he taught the music program.

College Director Mark Monaghan said it was good to have a music teacher on board, working across Ngakwurra Langwa College’s four schools.

“We know that regular music programs are a key to engaging at risk students and have the potential to offer pathways for students,” Mark said.

Dominic will be spending three days in Alyangula, one day in Umbakumba and one day in Angurugu each week and one week every term at Milyakburra.

Dominic has studied voice, percussion, composition, music therapy and music education at college and university.

He also played as a jazz musician in Melbourne.

He lives in Alyangula with his wife Samantha, their three children and dog.

NEW FACE: Dominic Le Souef demonstrates for students during an instrument lesson.

Warnikaduwa music teacher neyeminama wa r n ing i - ye l akwa wu r r i yukwayuwa narringayindenama kuweningmudinama.

Sounds of music from new teacher

umbakumba’s middle years boys have an exciting year ahead…but first they had to learn some basics, such as maths.Plans for this year include “old ways” camps, building traditional dugout canoes and industrial arts.

Teacher Joshua Poidevin said there would be lots of hands on activities.

“We will be back in the shed soon doing

woodwork and metal work and will start making wooden toys,” Joshua said. “But it’s important that we refresh some basic concepts first and improve maths and literacy skills.”

Student Josech Wurawilya said he liked learning.

Hands on activities for boysbASIC SKILLS: Ananais Wirrpanda and Josech Wurrawilya improve their maths with a game of Connect Four.

reading for youngsters

IMPOrTANT SKILL: Joslyn Mamarika, Sarona bara and Shakira Lalara learn to read.

Umbakumba teacher Daniel Boucaut said the class had done mainly reading to start off the year.

“Reading is the basis for literacy,” Daniel said. “The world is full of signs and words. The children do well in Anindilyakwa. If they want to broaden their horizon, they need to learn English too.”

The first book they were learning was Rosie’s Walk by author Pat Hutchins.

“Rosie is a chicken and she goes for a walk,” student Jaslyn Mamarika said.

“She walks around the farm,” classmate Cheyenne Bara said. “She just keeps walking when the fox comes.”

year 1/2 umbakumba children are learning to read and write with the help of a farmyard chicken.

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EDuCATION & yOuTH

Muffins on the menuAngurugu preschoolers Stanley Kerr and Juran Mamarika (pictured below) make banana muffins with the help of their assistant teacher, Cassandra Wunu-gumurra.

Cassandra directed the activity and the boys helped her to add water, stir the ingredients and place the mixture into the muffin tray. Everyone enjoyed eating them once they were cooked.

Students say yes to homework

GOOD IDEA: Patricia Lalara, Cypriana Lalara, yahna Chyno-Weth and Maxzelda Mamarika take some work to do at home.

The middle year students have decided that having homework will do them good.

“Every day we set the class up for a debate where one side argues for an issue and the other, against,” teacher, Sean Firth said.

“Recently we focussed on homework and the class decided there was a stronger

argument for having homework.”

“It will make us learn,” student Maxzelda Mamarika said.

“It will give us a better education,” Yahna Chyno-Weth said.

“It will make us successful,” Cypriana Lalara said.

Students at Milyakburra have taken their teachers by surprise by voting “yes” to homework.

Books and breakfast on the grassThe small community of Milyakburra came together last Friday for a morning of fun and feasting. Families enjoyed a barbecue meal while the students read them their favourite books.

Principal Kirsten Morey said the children had a good time showing off their books and their reading skills to their families.

“Engaging families in the education of their children is crucial and events such as these will be regular at Milyakburra School this year,” Kirsten said.

TOGETHEr: Esmerelda Wurramara shares a book with her mother, Violet Huddleston.

Robyn is from the north coast of NSW and it is her first time working in a remote community.

She has been a principal for four years and has worked as a teacher for many more, in primary school, high school and special education.

“It’s been great settling in,” Robyn said. “The community and staff are so supportive. It’s been a very positive and smooth start.”

Her goals for the year are to boost attendance

and support students in their learning.

“Learning is such a great life-long skill,”

Robyn said. “Learning is fun and I encourage

everyone to do it.”

Robyn’s hobbies include fishing, bush walking

and camping. She lives in Umbakumba with

her husband Mark, and their dog, Bella. Mark

is working in the school’s front office.

New principal a friendly faceNew principal, robyn beauchamp has been welcomed by the umbakumba community.

SETTLED: robyn beauchamp says learning is a great life-long skill.

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HEALTH & WELLbEING

ALC and GEbIE staff members learnt how to how people in emergency situations in a one-day course in March. The course Apply First Aid taught staff members how to manage emergency situations and provide care for the ill or injured until medical aid arrives.

ALC chairman Tony Wurramarrba said people with first aid training could save lives.

Some topics covered by the training included dealing with bites, stings, heat, sprains, burns and other injuries.

Staff members will now have the option to do another two days of training called First Aid for Remote Locations.

Learning how to help

GOOD TO KNOW: Serena bara and brenda Kelly learn how to give first aid to a baby using a medical dummy.

Footy players to keep healthy off the fieldLocal AFL leaders are encouraging players to look after themselves off field so they can feel better and play better.

ALC senior liaison officer and local football vice-president Thomas Amagula says he wants players to lead successful lives on and off the field.

“More and more professional Indigenous players are doing some kind of program to improve their health and help them with their footy playing,” Thomas said.

“Some learn about healthy eating, or stress management, or al-cohol awareness education. At our level, we should be looking after ourselves too, so we can play our best.”

The Australian Football League Players’ Association (AFLPA) has released a report showing that professional Indigenous AFL players are taking advantage of a range of wellbeing programs.

The Indigenous Player Advisory board, which held its inaugural meeting in August, aims to build on this.

Groote Eylandt AFL Manager Ian brown said a healthy lifestyle was important for everybody, but especially sports players.

“The players that eat healthy foods and don’t take any drugs are the players that are still running at the end of the game when the other players are tired,” Ian said.

“These are the players that win the game for their team and get respect from their team mates and supporters.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a professional player or playing for fun, if you are playing with a healthy body then the game will be much more enjoyable.”

WAy TO GO: Players that eat healthy foods and don’t take any drugs are the players that are still running at the end of the game when the other players are tired.

“ K i r r i b i n a n u n g k w u r r u w a a r i n g k a w a yikumalyangkeyinama burrubula abadakalya, kirrakina kirruwilyakinama karningambilyuwama karnumadangkwa, kembirra akina akumalyangka yikilyelyingminama,” niyama Ian Brown.

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HEALTH & WELLbEING

‘Yelling poetry’ with hip hop MCTo mark the end of the school holidays, 20 Groote Eylandt children from Angurugu that are facing the challenges of Machado Joseph Disease in their families learnt how to make hip hop beats and raps with award-winning hip hop artist, Nick Juan.

The young people explored issues important to them, including love, discos, boredom and the natural surroundings of Groote Eylandt.

“A hip hop MC is basically expected to yell poetry about how excellent they are,” Nick said.

“Many hip hop MCs also rap about problems they face and offer various solutions to the rhythm of their favourite break-beats.

“Like in other communities, the kids wrote lyrics about community life. There is some real talent up here, both in making the beats and writing the raps.”

Workshop coordinator, Ange Chesters from the MJD Foundation said they took children on trips to swimming holes to get their creative juices flowing.

“It was the last week of January, so it was pretty hot and kids aren’t at their most creative inside a room, so we went out,” Ange said. “At Emerald River we pulled out the underwater camera. It was great to see the kids in their element.”

Nick is now back in Brisbane mixing the tracks. They will be released in April for Youth Week.

Children explored their emotions and had lots of fun at a hip hop workshop.

GrOOVE: Shaniel Amagula practises rapping at Emerald river.

TALENT: Erica Wurramara, 13, is in her element being creative with a video recorder.

The MJD Foundation sent a team to do garden makeovers to add a finishing touch to the new homes. The new gardens included wheelchair-accessible raised garden beds.

Aboriginal Community Worker Joyce Lalara said it was good to help.

“We can look after our families who are sick with MJD and they can enjoy a garden in their new house,” Joyce said. “We’re going to have big new mango trees, and paw paws and bananas.”

Community Services Manager Simone McGrath said activities such as gardening are part of the MJD Foundation’s Staying Stronger for Longer therapy program on Groote Eylandt.

“It was a little crazy to take on the project in 37 degress and 100 per cent humidity, but everyone had a ball,” Simone said.

“To have so much support for this project has been great. Every organisation we asked was really enthusiastic about contributing.

BHP Billiton (GEMCO) donated most of the money required. Bunnings donated tools, Toll Marine Logistics sent everything over on the barge and Territory Alliance provided dirt and a bobcat.

Several people living with MJD received new homes as part of the Federal Government’s Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP).

Backyards ‘blitzed’ for MJD clients

JOINT EFFOrT: (top) Naaman bara and Simone McGrath work on a raised garden bed.

HELPING HANDS: (left) ros Kempton, bryan Massey, Nadia Lindop, Hilroy Manggura, Simone McGrath, Kathy Massey, Talor Morgan and Libby Massey put in a hard day’s work.

People living with Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) had smiles on their faces when they got new gardens for their new homes.

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Crocs pounce Lions in wet season final

The Angurugu Crocs won their first premiership in the Wet Season Grand Final, in a respectful clash with the umbakumba Lions.by Ian brown

The game on Angurugu Oval on March 18 was also the first premiership game of the Umbakumba Lions and they were quietly confident of victory but the Crocs settled first.

With great delivery from the midfield, key forward Robbie Murrungun had three goals in the first 10 minutes.

The Lions slowly got back into the game but wasted golden opportunities in their forward line turning goals into points on at least two occasions.

With the first quarter nerves gone the second quarter opened up and the ball moved from one end of the ground to the other quickly.

But both defences were on top of their opponents, the Lions led by Shadrack Bara and the Crocs by Jeremiah Murrungun.

Goals were hard to come by and although the Lions outscored the Crocs this quarter, the Crocs had an 11-point lead at the main break.

The third quarter played out much the same as the first.

Both teams had equal opportunities but the Crocs made the most of theirs in front of goal while once again the Lions’ poor kicking at goal looked like it was going to prove costly.

With one quarter remaining, the Crocs held a 25 point lead.

The Lions supporters got behind their team in the last quarter and their vocal support seemed to lift their team as they probed forward looking for goals. With nothing to lose they began running forward of the ball and kicked the first two goals of the quarter.

With 10 minutes to go the lead was down to nine points and the Lions were surging. However the Crocs midfielders kept their cool and found an unmanned Robbie Murrungun who extended the lead.

The Lions kicked the next goal to keep the game alive but once again, Robbie was able to lose his opponent, find the ball and kick the goal that would seal victory for the Crocs. In the end the Lions had more shots on goal but inaccuracy hurt them.

The win was a good reward for the Crocs, who had played in both grand finals last year.

COMPETITION: A Lions player and Crocs player Kieran Lalara battle it out.

SuPPOrT: umbakumba women put on a display of music and fanfare as the Lions enter the field for the big game.

VICTOry (above): The Crocs celebrate a well-earnt win this season after losing in both grand finals last year.

HEATED (right): Crocs player, robbie Murrungun slides to secure the ball.

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boxing to stay fit and active

Torenzio Bara practises boxing with the help of program coordinator, Sean Firth.

Boxing is one of the activities done as part of the Active After-School Communities program in Milyakburra every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.

Children active after school

When school is finished for the day, Milyakburra children have another opportunity to learn and have fun.As part of the Active After-School Communities program, they play sports such as volleyball and boxing or do activities such as driving billy carts.

Milyakburra coordinator Sean Firth said the program was for students to get more confident, improve their skills and hopefully develop a life-long love of sports.

“We need to get children out of their lounge rooms and onto sporting fields,” Sean said.

“If children are interested in sport at a young age, they are more likely to enjoy physical activity during the rest of their lives.” The Milyakburra program runs from 4.30-5.30pm every Wednesday and Thursday.

ACTIVE: Cypriana Lalara, Maxzelda Mamarika and Liana Wurramara (above) work together to get the volleyball over the net during an afternoon game in Milyakburra, while Javestine Lalara (right) does a nice pass.

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rELAXING: Ida Mamarika and Murabuda Wurramarrba enjoy a day out at the ALC’s Christmas celebrations.

ACTION: Dominic Lalara enjoys playing around on the Angurugu Oval.

WIN! Have you taken some photos while out and about? Please email them to [email protected] with the names of everyone in the photos and we’ll try to get them into the next Ayawka (make sure you have permission if taking photos of children!). The best photo each issue wins a prize. Get snapping!

DAy OuT: Cassara yantarrnga and Deralisha yantarrnga go shopping in umbakumba.

STAr PHOTO

LAuGHTEr: Terriceda Mamarika has fun playing outdoors.

FuN TIMES: Kylanna Lalara joins a red Cross school holiday activity.

DAy TrIP: Cheryllynne Wurramarrba at the Aged Care Centre in Angurugu.

OuT & AbOuT / QuIz

QuIzQuestions1. Who is joining the ALC in the fight against seabed mining?

2. What does Katelyn Bara like to cook?

3. When is the Women’s Resource Centre in Angurugu open?

4. What is William Amagula doing with his new reading and maths skills?

5. What is growing so far in the Milyakburra community garden?

6. Police have a new Day Office in which community?

7. Why did Marbelada’s leg have to be removed?

8. What unexpected visitors did rangers find in their cat traps?

9. What did the grasshopper, Dumungamura chase away?

10. What flavour muffins did Angurugu preschoolers make?

Answers1. The Northern Land Council

2. Chocolate cake and minestrone soup

3. Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

4. Making a budget for his holidays

5. Tapioca, sweet potato, paw paw, berries

6. Angurugu

7. It was broken and badly infected

8. Eagle, snake, goanna, blue-tongue lizard

9. Sugarbags

10. Banana

LOOKING GOOD: Arabella Wanambi is pictured during a holiday session in Angurugu.

Documents

| 1 · 2019-08-14 · Umbakumba student Katelyn Bara said she liked making the chocolate cake and minestrone soup. Aside from experiencing a working kitchen, the group of students