Following a youth conference at the Merroo Christian Centre in Kurrajong, the visitors were in need of accommodation before boarding a flight home via Darwin. The newly refurbished hall at South Sydney Uniting (including solar hot water and a shower) proved an adequate venue.
“Well, we’ve got a shower now, and the floors are clean,” parishioner John Lanzky said. “This is something we can do.” Mr Lanzky, who led popular shopping expeditions in Waterloo, was one of many church members who offered hospitality. Heather Robinson played piano and pipe organ with the children. Adrian Spry made art materials available. Pearl Wymarra, Development and Promotions Officer with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), brought freshly cooked damper and stew all the way from Penrith.
The weekend was eventful. On Saturday afternoon the church’s Orchard Gallery hosted the opening of a show by painter Ann Mara: The Natural Wonders of Lake Burrendong. Sunday worship commemorated saints Francis and Clare of Assisi with many beloved pets in attendance, including dogs, cats, frogs and an axolotl. A collection was taken in support of WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue & Education Service). Mark and Serita of Milingimbi (pictured) led a dance they had learnt from their Fijian friends, and Elder of the group, Gwen Warmbirrirr, co-led the prayers of intercession.
Milingimbi is the largest island of the Crocodile Islands group. It is approximately 500 kilometres east of Darwin. The ex-mission settlement started in 1922 by the Rev. James Watson takes its name from the Walamangu Clan well around which it is situated. The island is more than a kilometre from the mainland and has seen Yolngu ceremonial activity since its formation at the time of sea level stabilisation some 5,000 years ago.
The traditional owners of Milingimbi and the surrounding seas and islands are of the Yan-nhangu-speaking Yolngu people. English is a second, third or fourth language for most Aboriginal residents of Milingimbi.
Pearl Wymarra spoke highly of the women elders who accompanied the children to Sydney. She was delighted and proud to hear the children speaking loudly in their native tongue at the airport, observing delight also in the smiling faces of staff and fellow travellers.
The experience calls to mind a project headed by Senior Australian of the Year, Laurie Baymarrwangga, a 96 year-old Indigenous woman from the Crocodile Islands. Over the last 20 years, in association with the Yan-nhangu Dictionary Team, Laurie has been working to save the Yan-nhangu language. In 1993 there were only 300 words recorded, but the team has now saved more than 3,500 words in which are embedded rich natural, historical and ritual knowledge.
A trilingual dictionary – in English, Yan-nhangu, and the regional Indigenous Yolngu language, Dhuwal (of some 7,000 speakers) – is being compiled. The resource will be given free to children of the islands. For more information contact Dr Bentley James at bentley.james.dr@gmail.com or visit crocodileislandsrangers.com.
David Russell is a minister in association at the South Sydney Uniting Church. His first placement as an ordained minister was in Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) where the first meeting of the UAICC was held in 1983. He enjoyed meeting with the group from Milingimbi and talking about people and the church in north-east Arnhem Land.
Thanks to local businesses who offered support and donations, including the Wild Cockatoo Bakery in Botany Road and Kozma’s Convenience Store in George Street, Redfern. Special thanks to friends at Cana Communities who provided mattresses and laundry services.
