- Minjilang, Northern Territory
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Minjilang
Northern Territory
MinjilangPopulation: 271[1] Postcode: 0822 Elevation: 35 m (115 ft) [2] Location: LGA: Mijilang Council State District: Arafura Federal Division: Lingiari Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 30.3 °C
87 °F23.8 °C
75 °F1,392.3 mm
54.8 inMinjilang, 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.[3]
Contents
Population
At the 2006 census, Miljilang had a population of 271[1] 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.[4] 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.[5]
Services
Minjilang has a supermarket, school, clinic serviced by a nurse and health worker (a doctor visits each fortnight and the dentist comes periodically). Minjilang Council 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.[3]
Communications
Croker Island Airfield is located about 11 km west of Minjilang and immediately south of Adjamarrago, a small family outstation.[6] 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.[7] The community receives one radio station as well as four television stations.[3]
References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Minjilang (Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=ULC70445&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology
- ^ a b c Minjilang community profile from Minjilang Community Inc.
- ^ 2006 census
- ^ Regulations re the sale of kava in Minjilang
- ^ Unearthed Outdoors'Minjilang Airfield page
- ^ tourist overview of Croker Island
External links
Coordinates: 11°08.93′S 132°34.72′E / 11.14883°S 132.57867°E
Categories:- Towns in the Northern Territory
- Geography of the Northern Territory
- Northern Territory geography stubs
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