Milingimbi Island Explained

Milingimbi Island, also Yurruwi, is the largest island of the Crocodile Islands group off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia.

Location

Milingimbi lies approximately east of Darwin and west of Nhulunbuy.

History

Aboriginal people have occupied the area for more than 40,000 years. It was an important ritual centre for the great ceremonies conducted by the indigenous inhabitants. In 1923, the Methodist Overseas Mission established a mission on the island, which attracted Aboriginal people from eastern clan groups. They included Gupapuyŋu- and Djambarrpuyŋu-, as well as Wangurri- and Warramirri-speaking people. The Yan-nhangu-speaking Yolngu people are the traditional owners of Milingimbi and its surrounding seas and islands.

The island was bombed by the Japanese during World War II and most of its population moved to nearby Elcho Island. After the war, the island continued to be used as a Royal Australian Air Force base, before the missionaries returned in 1951. The mission administered the island until 1974, after which management was transferred to Milingimbi Community Incorporated. In 2008 Milingimbi, became part of the East Arnhem Regional Council, which took over local government.

Language

English is a second, third or fourth language for most Aboriginal residents of Milingimbi. A successful bilingual program of the Milingimbi CEC, started in 1974, was stopped. Bilingual education continues on some of the surrounding outstations, run by traditional owners concerned to support the linguistic, cultural and biological diversity of the Crocodile Islands. To that end, the Yan-nhangu traditional owners have started the volunteer Crocodile Islands Rangers project to promote sustainable livelihood activities for local people in local languages.[1]

Facilities

The island has its own airfield, Milingimbi Airport, with the airport call-sign YMGB, and is also the site of a Bureau of Meteorology weather station. The island also has its own ALPA (Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation) store, post office and an art gallery. Milingimbi has a community library serviced by East Arnhem Regional Council.[2]

Notable people

Sources

External links

-12.095°N 134.893°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About us Crocodile Islands Rangers . 2022-05-18 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Libraries. 2021-05-18. East Arnhem Regional Council. en-AU.
  3. Web site: Binyinyuwuy Djarrankuykuy :: The Collection :: Art Gallery NSW. artgallery.nsw.gov.au. 2020-04-24.
  4. Web site: 2021-10-08 . Baker Boy: 'I wanted to show those kids back in community that they can succeed' . 2022-05-18 . the Guardian . en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Milingimbi Island".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.