Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu - Taste of Kakadu returned this year, successfully celebrating the unique Bininj/Mungguy culture, local cuisine, and natural beauty of the Kakadu region.

From 13 – 21 May, Bininj/Mungguy led activities deepened visitors understanding of Kakadu’s culture through a wide range of experiences, from guided bushwalks and cultural tours to bushtucker tastings featuring local ingredients. Opening night also featured a special live music performance from Wildfire Manwurrk Band.

One of the highlights of the festival was the Ubirr Rock Art Talk, where visitors were able to immerse themselves on Country and learn about the stories of lore, land and culture that have represented the Bininj/Mungguy people for thousands of years.
Another standout was the Ground Oven Feast on opening night, where guests enjoyed a traditional meal under the stars while taking in the beauty of Kakadu. 

The feast was a great experience and truly demonstrated the power of food in bringing people together.   Throughout the festival, attendees had the opportunity to learn from Traditional Owners of the land and their deep connection to the region. From men’s ankole (spear making), pandanus weaving and traditional painting workshops, the cultural activities on offer were a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating Indigenous culture.

The programmed events were presented by Kakadu rangers, local businesses, artists and community groups including Kakadu Kitchen, Djurrubu Rangers, and Bininj Kunwok Regional Language Centre Kakadu National Park would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all involved who made this year's festival possible. 

Photo credits: Parks Australia

Thursday, 29 June 2023

MEDIA RELEASE 

East Arnhem Regional Council and West Arnhem Regional Council unite to strengthen collaboration and advocate for Local & Regional Development, and confirm their shared commitment to the Indigenous Voice and supporting the Yes Campaign and the strength of Aboriginal Community Controlled Councils.

The East Arnhem Regional Council President Lapulung Dhamarrandji and West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor Matthew Ryan convened yesterday, supported by the Councillors of the respective regions, to foster a spirit of cooperation, share experiences, and explore opportunities for mutual growth. Elected members from both councils engaged in productive discussions, focusing on areas of commonality, shared challenges, and joint advocacy positions.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the emphasis placed on the councils' commitment to the shared benefit of their respective residents. Recognising the value in collaborating on key issues; services and infrastructure. Both Councils acknowledged the importance of leveraging their combined strengths to address challenges effectively, and promote positive change across their respective regions.

During the discussions, the Councils recognised the significant connections between them, not only through cultural song lines, but also shared history and challenges. By acknowledging and understanding these commonalities, the councils aim to deepen their collaboration and build stronger partnerships for the benefit of all residents.

In addition to the topics discussed, the East Arnhem Regional Council and West Arnhem Regional Council have jointly affirmed their support for the "Yes" campaign on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Recognising the importance of ensuring meaningful representation and participation of all Indigenous peoples in the decision-making processes that affect their communities. Both councils stand united in advocating for the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and pivotal role that Council has in supporting and promoting the campaign. They believe that such a voice will contribute to a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful Australia, where the diverse perspectives and aspirations of Indigenous Australians are heard and valued.

By actively endorsing the "Yes" campaign, the councils aim to amplify the voices of their Indigenous constituents and work towards a stronger, more inclusive future for all residents of the region.

Youth justice needs were at the forefront of the deliberations, with both councils acknowledging the deficit in funding for youth programming throughout the regions and the need for rehabilitating young offenders on country.

Recognising the urgent need to address this issue, the elected members committed to advocating for increased investment and resources to support comprehensive youth services that empower and nurture the region's young individuals.

Another pressing concern discussed was the ongoing challenges stemming from failed telecommunications infrastructure in our regions. Both councils highlighted the detrimental impact of inadequate connectivity on residents' ability to access essential services and opportunities.

In this regard, the councils expressed the urgent need for significant investment to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal access to telecommunications services, bringing our regions on par with other parts of Australia.

The cost of living crisis in our regions was also a topic of considerable discussion. Recognising the financial pressures faced by residents, the councils pledged to advocate on strategies to alleviate this burden and seek potential solutions to make living more affordable for everyone in the communities they represent, including, extensive transport costs faced by residents and frequency of social services payments for disadvantaged regions.

As part of the visit, the Elected Members were given a comprehensive tour, graciously hosted by the East Arnhem Regional Council President Lapulung Dhamarrandji and the Elected Members of the region. The tour showcased the services and infrastructure available to the communities, further highlighting the potential for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the councils.

The joint gathering of East Arnhem Regional Council and West Arnhem Regional Council represents a significant milestone in fostering regional cooperation and collective action. Both Councils are committed to ongoing collaboration, leveraging their shared experiences, and advocating for positive change that will benefit all residents in their regions.

Today marks the start of new strengths and brighter regions through shared commitment of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Councils – East Arnhem Regional Council & West Arnhem Regional Council.

Notable quotes:

President Lapulung Dhamarrandji – “We have a shared value and shared struggle, this is not about black and white; it is time to step from the dark as the original people of this land, Yolngu ga Balanda walking together – we need to talk to government from our heart for a sense of freedom to sustain our future”.

Mayor Matthew Ryan – “At the end of the day, it’s about us, it is about us uniting as one people east and west, by working together as a collective we are stronger together to achieve everyday struggle on aboriginal affairs.”

ENDS

West Arnhem Regional Council adopted the 2023 - 24 Regional Plan and Budget at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Friday, 23 June 2023.

This is a significant document for West Arnhem Regional Council and the communities it serves including Maningrida, Minjilang, Warruwi, Gunbalanya and Jabiru.

The Regional Plan sets out Council's organisational vision, purpose and values, our strategic priorities and budget over the next 12 months. 

This includes: information about the Council and Elected Members, performance objectives, service delivery plans, cooperative arrangements, the budget, rates declaration and long term financial plan discussion and more.

MANINGRIDA

The Maningrida Post Office will close at 12 noon on Friday, 30 June 2023 for stocktake. We will return to normal working hours Monday, 3 July.

GUNBALANYA

The Gunbalanya Post Office will close at 12 noon on Friday, 30 June for stocktake.

JABIRU

The Jabiru Post Office will be closed on Friday, 30 June 2023 for EOFY stocktake. Mail and parcel collection will be available from 12 noon to 2pm.

West Arnhem Regional Council is pleased to announce we are the recipient of the Northern Territory Government Community Benefit Fund grant for an off-road barbecue trailer for the community of Gunbalanya.

The new trailer has been delivered and, our teams, including night patrol and youth, sport and recreation staff, are looking forward to using this new equipment at our upcoming community events and special occasions.

Other community groups can also utilise this barbecue trailer as well.

Keep an eye out for the trailer around the community which will soon feature Northern Territory Government and West Arnhem Regional Council stickers.

National Reconciliation Week in 2023 will officially end on Saturday, 3 June which is also a significant milestone in the reconciliation journey - the date of the High Court Mabo decision. The week also started on a significant date, 27 May, which commemorates the successful 1967 referendum.

Reconciliation week is a time for us all to reflect on and learn about our histories and cultures as we move forward in our reconciliation journey in Australia.  For West Arnhem Regional Council, our vision for reconciliation is to champion meaningful consultation and improve relationships with First Nations Peoples, based on the values: Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Inclusiveness; to deliver beneficial outcomes for the West Arnhem region.

We are so fortunate to live in such culturally significant region, and it is vital we all continue our reconciliation path together for our people and our communities.

Pictured is the National reconciliation week opening ceremony held in Jabiru with Welcome to Country from Traditional Owner Shanice Mudjandi, the flag raising by our team and Deputy Mayor Liz Williams cutting the cake. 
Thank you to Sodexo for the wonderful cake.

Warruwi is the second community in West Arnhem to welcome the National Wellbeing Alliance and their Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Prevention course.

With a total of 17 attendees, 14 of them being WARC staff, this 2-day program was a great educational opportunity in the mental health area and culturally adapted for indigenous communities. 

Men and women had separate sessions, providing a more comfortable and culturally appropriate environment.   Geraldine Narul, Wellbeing Services Coordinator in Warruwi, said the course a great eye-opener activity to realise how important it is to talk about mental health. “This course created a space to talk about the different mental health issues people go through and how we all can help families around when these situations. We are isolated and don’t have access to many resources so having this training is quite useful” Geraldine says the feedback has been so positive that community members continue to express an interest for this training to be delivered again later this year. 

This training opportunity will be coming to Jabiru 14th and 15th & 19th and 20th June; Minjilang on 20th and 21st June and 25th and 26th June in Gunbalanya.  

This year National NAIDOC Week will run from 2-9 July with the powerful theme 'For Our Elders'.

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families.   They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.  Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too.  They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.  
We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow. 

The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. 
The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people. 
It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us. 

We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them. 
In 2023, how will you celebrate For Our Elders? 

West Arnhem Regional Council will once again be providing region-wide animal management program across all communities in 2023!
The Ark Animal Hospital will visit each community:

Gunbalanya 26th June - 1st July, 6th July - 8th July 
Warruwi      2nd July - 8th July 
Minjilang     2nd July - 5th July
The treatments/ procedures covered by the program:

Health checks and consultations, tick/mange injections, flea treatment, tick spraying, de-sexing, puppy parvovirus (c3) vaccinations (under 6 months of age), contraceptives, minor surgery as required.