The Katherine Regional Directors of State Government came out this week to meet with Yugul Mangi as part of our Multi-Agency Partnership. The partnership is exploring a new way of working together, allowing Yugul Mangi to increase its capacity and improve local Indigenous employment.
Upcoming housing programs were discussed, along with roadworks and many other opportunities for employment in the area.
It’s been a weekend of Football, Basketball, Music & Fireworks at the Yugul Mangi Festibul 2018 this year.
Friday night kicked off with bunggul, a fashion show, a baby competition, local youth bands, and a disco – with prize vouchers for the best dancers (and all the cute babies).
Saturday was full of Football, locally made canoes that were given a trial run in the swimming pool, a spear throwing competition and a late, late night of bands running until 3 am and in the middle of it all, a great Firework display – a rare chance for the kids up in Ngukurr.
On Sunday it was all finals. The Ngukurr Cobras played off against the Ngukurr Eagles in the women’s Basketball, with the Cobras clinching victory – winning 38 to 32 in a tight match with scores level right up until last minute.
The Football Grand Final was next with Urapunga Power versus the Ngukurr Jets. The teams were evenly matched, with the game going into second over-time before Urapunga kicked the goal that would win the match. Ngukurr Jets scored 8 goals, 7 points for 55, with Urapunga 9 goals, 7 points, 61. You can watch the final minute of the match below.
[wpvideo 7KXt9umi]
It was an exciting weekend for everyone involved. We’d like to thank everyone who helped make Festival great this year, and we look forward to an even better Festival next year!
The Chief Minister and NT Government visited Ngukurr on Monday 28 May. They met with Yugul Mangi Development’s Directors and signed a Multi-Agency Partnership Agreement, committing to working together with Yugul Mangi Development and the people of Ngukurr to help grow and develop the Ngukurr community into a strong community.
They then held a Community Cabinet meeting at the Guluman Centre. Afterwards, there was a community BBQ which was well attended by community and gave local mob the chance to speak with their local member Selena Uibo and Government Ministers.
Our local store uses a lot of power to keep the fridges and air conditioners running. That’s why we decided to install solar panels to help reduce the costs. A massive 181 panels with 3 inverters are now generating just under 60 kw for the store.
Thanks to the team from iSolar NT!
Ngukurr Arts has a new website which gives the Art Centre a better way of selling local Indigenous works online, in Australia and overseas. It also links to the “Stories Arts and Monies” database which means that at any time, artists can see what work they have sold.
Visit the website and have a look at some of the art work produced in Ngukurr: ngukurrarts.net
The community marched against family violence today, saying “No more”. Organised by CatholicCare NT, the march is about strengthening positive ways to deal with family issues and saying that violence is unacceptable in community.
You can read more about the No More campaign on the campaign’s website.
Our Board of Directors were very excited to meet with the NT Government’s Regional Directors of the Big Rivers Region on Wednesday. Working with Ben Laidlaw from Keogh Consulting, the NT Government is talking to us about how we can all work together to help the people of Ngukurr.
This is a great opportunity to address some of the issues that will help us create real long-term employment for the local community.
The Warjaja Bridge over the Wilton River and the Yurlhbunji Bridge over the Roper river were both opened today with officials from State and Federal Governments, and the local communities of Ngukurr and Urapunga.
The opening was held at the Yurlhbunji bridge over the Roper River. A smoking ceremony was held first to bless the bridges, before the official ribbon was cut, and speeches were made by Traditional Owners, and officials.
[wpvideo s87dSJZi]
[wpvideo fscCcFW2]
[wpvideo dNlYBZUf]
[wpvideo KD3ohLPs]
The names were chosen by the Traditional Owners with assistance from the Ngukurr Language Centre. For further advice on their meanings:
One interesting factor is the large proportion of names (throughout the Roper) that have either no translation, or are not entirely analysable in any of the languages now spoken in the area. I have suggested that in some cases these names point to the presence of earlier languages, such as Yukgul and Warndarrang. In many other cases, these names bear no resemblance to any of the commonly found morphological patterns for toponyms in the area. There remain a significant number of names that are only partially analysable, pointing to a long continuity of occupation for the language groups now found in the Roper.
Extract from “I’m going to where-her-brisket-is: Placenames in the Roper“, by Brett Baker, page 128.
The bridges represent a huge opportunity for Ngukurr and the surrounding communities, which were cut-off last year for 6 months during a big wet. Road infrastructure is important as it reduces costs associated with getting in and out for medical care, transporting goods into community, and allowing services to be provided all-year round.
During the wet season, the road to Numbulwar can be treacherous with high water in multiple creek and river crossings, and very soft muddy roads themselves. The above is a truck that came through to Ngukurr from Numbulwar on Sunday, but got bogged on the return trip – driving over road that turned to mud beneath the wheels.
This is despite this wet season not being as big as last year’s. You can see in the images below the new bridge over the Wilton River, which this time last year was around 2M – 3M under water.
On the left is the bridge just this week, on the right is a shot from roughly the same area this time last year (see the forked tree on the left side in both images).
Due to the recent heavy rains, water is over the road at Packsaddle Creek (near the Minyeri road turn-off) and Strangeways. Reports are that both creek crossings are at 0.6m and rising – with vehicles turning back at the crossings, not willing to drive through.
