Charles Darwin University conducted plant ticket training in Gunbalanya from 14- 29 August 2023. A total of 16 students (13 from West Arnhem Regional Council and 3 from DEMED) participated in training which included a front end loader, dozer, grader and skid steer. All students passed front end loader and Skid steer and some of the more experienced operators also passed in dozer and grader. Well done to all!

On 16th and 17th of September, staff from the NTES (State Emergency Service) visited Warruwi to continue with the feasibility of re-establishing a NTES unit on South Goulburn Island. Over 20 staff and locals took part over the days with a number wanting to sign up to join the volunteer fire and rescue service. 

While here, staff from West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC), NTES, Warruwi School and Mardbalk Rangers took part in actual fire events, equipment/water trailer handling and usage, and controlled fire lighting, blacking out and back burning in day and night conditions.
   
WARC Council Services Manager Matt Griffiths said, “The past few days with having the rangers, NTES and our staff and community working together shows how much we can achieve working together in a far shorter time. By combining the cultural and traditional methods, along with mechanical and water based firefighting and prevention, we were able to achieve a number of fire reduction burns safely and protect Warruwi into the near future. Watching the NTES and Rangers working together, with WARC staff was an amazing cultural and learning journey, especially for me.”

“It develops the communities to continue moving forward with “walking in two worlds” which we do so well in Warruwi.”
It is important to note that fires on South Goulburn must be approved by Traditional Owners and/or Rangers.  Recent fires have put the township at risk.  Signage is being put up to remind community and visitors of the requirements. 
A NTES division is expected to be operational by 2024.  

How fun is face painting!

The young people in Minjillang enjoyed this activity at a recent West Arnhem Regional Council youth, sport and recreation program! Find out more about what activities are happening by chatting to your local Youth, Sport and Recreation officer in your community.

There are only two weeks until sporting teams from across West Arnhem Land will converge in Jabiru for the 2023 Kurrung Sports Carnival – the region’s biggest sporting event.

This year, Kurrung Sports Carnival will take place on 1 and 2 September and will feature a men’s AFL competition, men’s and women’s basketball and a ‘come and try’ women’s AFL 9’s round. Any women interested in playing AFL, are encouraged to join in.

Proudly hosted by West Arnhem Regional Council, this popular 2-day sports carnival unites talented men and women from the West Arnhem Land communities of Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang and a team from Katherine.

Team registrations close on Monday, 21 August so don’t miss out on participating in this exciting weekend of sport.

Event coordinator Tamzin France said, “with the vast distances of our region, it is great to be able to bring our communities together for Kurrung, thanks to the support of our sponsors. We are looking forward to a weekend of great sportsmanship, friendly rivalry on the field and courts and shared comradery.”

Carnival Program:

Friday, 1 September

• ‘Come and Try’ Women’s AFL 9’s – Magela Oval
• Men’s Basketball Competition – Jabiru Baseketball Courts

Saturday, 2 September

• Women’s basketball Competition – Jabiru Area School
• Men’s AFL Competition – Brockman Oval

In an exciting twist, Kurrung will welcome ABC Darwin ‘Territory Grandstand’ and Charlie King who will be broadcasting LIVE from Brockman Oval on the Saturday from 11am – 1pm. Please come along and have a chat to Charlie during the broadcast.

An equally exciting addition to the carnival this year, will be a cultural dance performance known as Manyardi/Kunborrk by the communities to wrap up the 2023 event on Saturday afternoon. All welcome to watch or participate.

In line with the carnival’s pillars, including respect, sportsmanship and fair play, this year’s carnival feature the ‘Spirit of Kurrung’ cup sponsored by event partner, the No More Violence campaign. The awards will be presented to the community and individuals which proudly display these qualities. Council wishes to thank the team from No More for their support of the carnival.

West Arnhem Regional Council wishes to thank all supporters and sponsors of this year’s carnival including Northern Territory Government, KWAST, ERA, Blueridge Engineering, Kakadu Lodge, Jabiru Bombers AFL Club, Kakadu Tourism, Cooinda Lodge, C&R Constructions, Djurrubu Rangers, 13 Yarn, ABC Darwin, Malala Health, Kakadu National Park, ALPA, Jabiru Area School, Red Lily, Gunbalanya Sports and Social Club.

If any local businesses or organisations can assist to get local teams to Kurrung, please contact your local Council Services Manager.

Team registrations are now open for the event and forms are available at your local Council office. 
If you would like to find out more about the event, please have a chat to your local Youth, Sport and Recreation Officer in your community.

Young people in Jabiru were treated to a swim clinic at the Jabiru pool with Olympic gold medalist Mack Horton earlier this month. Thanks to everyone who came along and improved their water confidence and stroke technique. 

A lot of fun was had! West Arnhem Regional Council wishes to give a huge thank you to Mack for his generosity.

The Gunbalanya playground is looking better than ever following a recent upgrade which included an extension of the roof shade structure.

Proudly funded by the Gunbalanya Local Authority, this necessary extension has created additional shade above and around the playground facility to reduce exposure to the elements including the heat and rain all-year round.  Community members, including parents and carers, can also utilise the additional seating which has been installed around the playground to comfortably supervise children’s activities, relax and socialise.

The now complete playground facility is an important recreational space used by people of all ages throughout the year, including a place to hold activities and events.
 
Thank you to the Local Authority for supporting this key project which strengthens sense of belonging in community.

The Maningrida Football Oval is becoming one of the best in the Top End, and residents and stakeholders should be proud of the ever-improving sporting facility in the community.  With the Maningrida community 2023 AFL football competition culminating in the grand finals on Saturday, 12 August, the football oval was looking its best for the hundreds of players, spectators and supporters in attendance for the big event.

In the results, Magpies went undefeated all season in the women’s competition defeating Seagulls in the grand final. In the men’s competition, the Seagulls won the grand final defeating Lightning, and Seagulls only lost 1 game for the season. A special mention to the women’s competition which was the first one ever played in Maningrida and the football all season was played great.  West Arnhem Regional Council has been working tirelessly getting the oval green and manicured over the last few months and it has been great to see so many community members turning up regularly to watch the weekly games under the newly installed lights.  The latest additions to the oval includes six additional grand stands to accommodate the increase of spectators attending the games on a regular nightly basis, and additional pedestrian team gates for entry and exiting the playing area by players, coaches and staff.  These upgrades were made possible by the Maningrida Local Authority and were completed by the Maningrida works crew just in time for the AFL grand final games. Huge congratulations to all teams in the competition and the overall winners.

West Arnhem Regional Council Services Manager Craig Ballard said “The Maningrida oval was presented in picture perfect condition for the AFL Grand Finals on Saturday, 12 August. A huge thanks to Clem Beard for arranging the perimeter fence upgrades, additional grandstands, electronic scoreboard, oval lighting and irrigation systems. Thanks to Nick from JMK for setting up the grandstands, assisting with band/scoreboard preparation, helping with barbecue duties and demobilising after the event. 

A big 'well-done' must go out to Bradley Shergold, SWO, Michael Sippel, Team Leader and the works crew for delivering the oval in pristine condition in time for the finals. Thanks also to Mark Jones and Bradley Shergold for the endless nights managing our electronic scoreboard throughout the AFL competition; and finally congratulations to the AFL Grand Final winning teams, Magpies (W) and Seagulls (M).”

These upgrades to the oval were strongly supported by the Maningrida Local Authority, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) and Northern Territory Government Department of Tourism and Culture. 

Thank you to the WARC crew for the state of the oval which was excellent, especially Mark and Mick, and all Nick’s work on grand final day he was excellent.  Also, thank you to Maddie from NT Government (CSO), Malala particularly Woody, Juan and the police. 

During the July school holidays, the Warruwi community received several shipments of what is known as the Happy Box Project. This is a project organised through the Warruwi School and has been in place since last year. 

This is an incredible project and aims to; 

• Provide basic needs to women in remote indigenous communities. 
• Support the empowerment of women through alleviating the barriers of accessing basic needs,
• Provide opportunities for women to build capacity for individual and community development; and
• Provide opportunities for women to share story and create connection to nurture positive mental health.

Over the last month, staff at the school alongside West Arnhem Regional Council staff handed out these wonderful bags which contained essential toiletries and beauty products along with journals, candles and towels. The impact this has had on our community along with visitors from other communities has been dramatic and it has been a delight to see a smile on everyone’s faces when they have received their bag which also contain a small note from the amazing person who put the bag together. 

Due to the large amount we received this year we have also been able to donate a substantial amount of these items to the Warruwi Clinic and now we have essential hygiene products which will enable our Community Care staff to care for our Aged Care clients. 
On behalf of West Arnhem Regional Council and the Warruwi community, we would like to say a big thank you to Warruwi School, Woolworths and the amazing people from the Happy Box project. 

Jack Rau from Airpower travelled to Warruwi recently to perform the handover on a new Hyundai 740TM – 9 wheel loader to the West Arnhem Regional Council team. 

It is great to have the fleet back at full capacity to support quality service delivery on the island.  The machine will be used for landfill maintenance, road works and has container forks for working with the barge during unloading.  West Arnhem Regional Council was able to purchase the wheel loader was through a Northern Territory Government’s Waste and Resource Management Grant. 

WARC wish to thank them for their support.