Minjilang, Northern Territory
Encyclopedia
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 outstation
s). 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.
, Miljilang had a population of 271 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.
. 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.
Croker Island
Croker Island is an island in the Arafura Sea off the coast of the Northern Territory, Australia, 200 km northeast of Darwin. It is separated from Cobourg Peninsula in the west by Bowen Strait, which is 2.5 km wide in the south and up to 7 km in the north, and 8.5 km long. In...
, some 235 km (146 mi) east northeast of Northern Territory's
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
capital of Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
. It is the only settlement of any size on Croker Island (besides Minjilang, there are only eight small family outstation
Outstation
Historically, an outstation was a subsidiary homestead or other dwelling, on Australian sheep or cattle stations which were large enough to have more than a day's travel between different parts of the property....
s). The island is just a few kilometres from Cobourg Peninsula
Cobourg Peninsula
The Cobourg Peninsula is located 350 kilometres east of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is deeply indented with coves and bays, covers a land area of about 2,100 km², and is virtually uninhabited with a population ranging from about 20 to 30 in five family outstations, but...
on the mainland. The community of Minjilang is on the opposite, eastern side of the island on Mission Bay, a secluded bay.
Population
At the 2006 censusCensus in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Miljilang had a population of 271 primarily Aboriginals
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
of the Yarmirr people. About 150 speak Iwaidja
Iwaidja language
Iwaidja, in phonemic spelling Iwaja, is an Australian language with about 150 speakers in northernmost Australia. Historically from the base of the Cobourg Peninsula, it is now spoken on Croker Island...
and are the only speakers of this language, but English, Gunwinggu and Maung
Maung language
Maung is an Australian language of northernmost Australia. It's the Iwaidjan language with the largest number of speakers....
are also spoken. Approximately 48% of the population is unemployed. Croker Island offered a safe haven to many children from the "Stolen Generation
Stolen Generation
The Stolen Generations were the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were removed from their families by the Australian Federal and State government agencies and church missions, under acts of their respective parliaments...
" (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
Kava
Kava or kava-kava is a crop of the western Pacific....
is licensed.
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.Communications
Croker Island Airfield is located about 11 km west of Minjilang and immediately south of Adjamarrago, a small family outstationOutstation
Historically, an outstation was a subsidiary homestead or other dwelling, on Australian sheep or cattle stations which were large enough to have more than a day's travel between different parts of the property....
. 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
Northern Land Council
The Northern Land Council is in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. It has its origins in the struggle of Australian Aboriginal people for rights to fair wages and land. This included the strike and walk off by the Gurindji people at Wave Hill, cattle station in 1966. The head...
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.