A bit about Elcho Island...

Elcho Island is an island off the coast of beautiful Arnhem land, in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located at the southern end of the Wessel Islands group located in the East Arnhem Region. The island's largest community is the settlement of Galiwin'ku (which is where we live).

Elcho Island is approximately 55 km long and 6 km across at its widest point. It is bounded on the western side by the Arafura Sea and on the east by the Cadell Strait.

Galiwin'ku, located near the island's sourthern tip, is the main community on the island. It is the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, the second largest Aboriginal community (in terms of concentrated population) in the Northern Territory, and ranks eleventh in population of the 69 local government bodies in the Territory. There are a large number of tribal groups, with up to 22 different dialects being used in the community. The people of Galiwin'ku retain their tradition and culture for future generations by strict traditional methods, and through education, embrace the wider Australian community.

They all refer to us as "Yappa", which means sister, and to each other they say the same. "Yakka" means no, and "Yo" means yes, and "byno" is a general word for "not available". Otherwise we are learning items in the shop like "mapo" is eggs and so on.

The island is home to the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, with approximately 2,000 residents living in the main settlement of Galiwin'ku. The total population of the island is 2,200 people, including 70 non-Aboriginal people. The population of Galiwin'ku varies during the seasons, with many outstation residents migrating to the community during the wet season due to inaccessibility. The community also serves approximately 25 outstations with a total population of approx. 450 people. 48% of the population is under 20 years of age, with 7% over 50.

Galiwin'ku is a traditional Aboriginal community with restricted access; permission to visit is required by law and can be made through the Northern Land Council directly or via the Galiwin'ku Council. Total alcohol restrictions apply and there is no gasoline available on the island; all gasoline-powered vehicles use Comgas as a fuel substitute.

The settlement was originally established as a Methodist mission in 1942, with the arrival of Harold Shepherdson, a lay associate of the Methodist Overseas Mission from Milingimbi. It remained under Church direction until 1974 when it became self-managed. Eighteen connected clan groups within the Elcho Island locale have close cultural ties with mainland Arnhem Land clans and language groups. The most commonly spoken languages are Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu (both Yolngu Matha languages). However, there are at least twelve more languages in use in the region.

All in all a petty cool place, with alot of history and a strong culture. There is no industry here, and the well equiped school is poorly attended, which is unfortunate. So as far as we can see the people's days are filed with eating the junk we sell at the shop (not much available in terms of healthy food), playing cards, the women play for dollars, and the kids for silver (20 cent pieces), and performing ceremonies. It appears they live pretty much entirely off of government funds and are not doing too badly.

And also we have been told that this is actually the first place in Australia that ever traded goods with the outside world. They began to trade with Indonesia, and the Indonesians told them that people would come and take over their land, so I guess when the Methodist church came, it wasn't such a surprise. No Christian influence here as far as we can tell, other than the housing beeing western, and clothing somewhat, and the time schedules of the schools and shops, although there is a run down church, I haven't heard any bells on Sunday.