Minjilang, Northern Territory

Minjilang
Northern Territory

Minjilang

Coordinates

11°08′54″S 132°34′38″E / 11.14833°S 132.57722°ECoordinates: 11°08′54″S 132°34′38″E / 11.14833°S 132.57722°E

Population

271 (2006 census)

Postcode(s)

0822

Elevation

35 m (115 ft)

Location

422 km (262 mi) NE of Darwin
176 km (109 mi) N of Jabiru

LGA(s)

West Arnhem Region

Territory electorate(s)

Arafura

Federal Division(s)

Lingiari

Mean max temp	Mean min temp	Annual rainfall
30.3 °C ^{87 °F}	23.8 °C ^{75 °F}	1,392.3 mm ^{54.8 in}

Minjilang, formerly Mission Bay, is the Aboriginal community located on Croker Island, some 235 km (146 mi) east northeast of Northern Territory's capital of Darwin. It is the only settlement of any size on Croker Island (besides Minjilang, there are only eight small family outstations). The island is just a few kilometres from Cobourg Peninsula on the mainland. The community of Minjilang is on the opposite, eastern side of the island on Mission Bay, a secluded bay.

At the 2011 census, Miljilang had a population of 308 primarily Aboriginals of the Yarmirr people. About 150 speak Iwaidja and are the only speakers of this language, but English, Gunwinggu and Maung are also spoken. Approximately 48% of the population is unemployed. Croker Island offered a safe haven to many children from the "Stolen Generation" (the policy of forceful removal of indigenous children from their families). Croker is a so-called dry community, meaning no alcohol may be brought into the village, to prevent abuse. However, the controlled sale of kava is licensed.

Minjilang has a supermarket, school, clinic serviced by a nurse and health worker (a doctor visits each fortnight and the dentist comes periodically). West Arnhem Region provides a number of services, e.g. waste collection, power and water supply and sewerage, and maintenance of roads, the barge landing and community airstrip.

Croker Island Airfield is located about 11 km west of Minjilang and immediately south of Adjamarrago, a small family outstation. An air service to Darwin is run on a daily basis (except Thursdays and Sundays) by Murin Airways. The haul to Darwin takes about an hour. The community barge service to Darwin by Perkins Shipping is a weekly affair. The island itself has only low-grade dirt roads. A permit from the Northern Land Council is needed for any visitors wishing to come to Croker Island, as it is restricted Aboriginal-owned land. The community receives one radio station as well as four television stations.

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Wikipedia