THE need for a community morgue was one of the first items raised at the first meeing of the newly formed Maningrida Local Authority, held at the West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) offices in Maningrida on 16 July. The Maningrida Local Authority members elected Baru Pascoe as Chairperson and Bernadette Yibarbuk as Deputy Chair. Local Authority meetings are also due to be held in Gunbalanya on 2 July and Warruwi and Minjilang on 6 August. WARC provides secretarial assistance at the meetings and lends a close ear to the concerns of the community. Through the meetings, the Local Authorities have a direct say in how council funds are spent in their communities. 

JABIRU locals are rallying around local firefighter Mick Hutton as he prepares to join a round- Australia trek in the Black Dog Ride, raising money for Lifeline and awareness of depression and suicide prevention. On July 26, Mick will be one of 65 motorcyclists setting off from Shelly Beach in Sydney. 

Two Kakadu Traditional Owners who added land to Kakadu National Park and fought to protect country and culture from uranium mining have been honoured with the inaugural Ochre Green Territory Environmental Awards.

TRADITIONAL owners removed this 4.5m crocodile from the town billabong at Gunbalanya early on the morning of Thursday 3 July.

The crocodile had reportedly been taking dogs and cattle and its presence at a popular fishing spot had been described by one local as “a recipe for disaster”.