Ngalkanbuy Health Service

Clinic Profile

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Location
Ngalkanbuy Health Service is located at Galiwin’ku, which is the largest community on Elcho Island, approximately 550km North East of Darwin and 150km North West of Nhulunbuy (Gove). Elcho Island is part of the Wessel Island group located in the East Arnhem Region of the Northern Territory.

Category
John Flynn, Prevocational Doctors (PGPPP) and GP Registrars

Population
The base population is approximately 2500 which fluctuates during the seasons, with many outstation residents migrating to the community during the wet season due to inaccessibility.

Major Language Groups
Yolgnu Matha and associated dialects (up to 16). Djambarrpuyngu as the main version of Yolgnu Matha is the most widely spoken language. Others are Galpa, Golpa, Golumala, Gumatj, Liya’gawumirr, Wangurri, Warramiri and Gupauyngu. English is not the first language spoken in Galiwin’ku.

Access via Sea
Perkins Shipping provides a weekly barge service from Darwin to Elcho Island (leaves Darwin Thursday night, arrives Tues pm or Wed am). The barge landing is located on the South East coast, 5 km from the community. The barge road is gravel and is accessible all year round. Galiwin’ku has a combination of sealed roads that require major repairs and maintenance and gravel roads that are yet to be sealed.

Access via Air
1.5 hours from Darwin and 30 - 45 minutes from Nhulunbuy. AirNorth services run daily flights between Darwin and Galiwin’ku. The Galiwin’ku airstrip is a sealed day/night strip. Charter operators MAF and Air Frontier are based at Galiwin’ku.

Seasonal Access
Galiwinku is affected by the cyclone season from October – May. In severe weather evacuations to Nhulunbuy or Darwin may be affected and Air Med may not be able to land at night. Routine flights and the barge service can also be delayed or cancelled.

Outstations Serviced
Approximately 20 outstations (e.g. Gawa, Mapurru, Mata Mata and Mudhamul) are served by Marthakal Homelands Health Service (MHHS) which is a mobile Yolgnu (Aboriginal) Medical Service covering 15,000 square kilometers in the remote East Arnhem Land. Ngalkanbuy Health Service provides acute support to outstations when requested by MHHS.

Health Centre Information
Facilities and rooms: Ngalkanbuy Health Service was constructed in the 1980s as a small hospital and has been renovated over the years. It has five consultation rooms and other basic hospital facilities.

Staff: Ngalkanbuy Health Centre is staffed by 2 GPs, 8 Registered Nurses, 6 Aboriginal Health Workers and various other associated ancillary health staff.

Community Programs
Women’s Health & ANC
Strong Women Strong Babies
Healthy Baby Healthy Community (a joint project with the Australian Red Cross and Miwatj)
Paediatric Program- including acute, chronic and school nurse
Chronic Conditions
Adult health- including men’s health

Visiting Specialists
Physician- quarterly
Gynaecologist- quarterly
Surgeon- quarterly
Dentist- quarterly
Paediatrician - quarterly
Psychiatrist - quarterly
Referral appointments can be made for other specialist treatments (eye, orthopedic etc)

Open Times
Mon - Fri: 0830hrs – 1200hrs | 1300hrs – 1630hrs

24/7 emergency after hours clinical care service available
Health worker always first on call with GPs and RNs for second on call

Contact Details
Ngalkanbuy Health Centre (Elcho Island)
PMB 250 Winnellie Mail Centre NT 0822
P: (08) 8970 5700| F: (08) 8987 9061
E: [email protected]

Additional information
Ngalkanbuy Health Centre comes under the auspices of Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation with permanent health staff on duty and regular visits from Doctors who stay 1-2 months at a time. Medivac patients are flown out to Nhulunbuy or Darwin, depending upon the seriousness of the condition.

Useful Links
www.health.gov.au

Community Profile

Community Information
Elcho Island is at the Southern end of the Wessel Island group and is bounded on the Western side by the Arafura Sea and on the Eastern side by Cadell Strait. Galiwin’ku, located near the island’s Southern tip, is the major community on Elcho Island and the largest Aboriginal community in North East Arnhem Land, as well as the second largest in the Northern Territory. The community was set up in 1942 as a Methodist mission but is now run by an Aboriginal Town Council. Galiwin’ku encompasses 17 clans, each with its own language. The main tribal and clan groups are Yirritja, Wulkarra, Wangurri, Golpa, Guyamirrilil, Gumatj, Birrkili, Daywurrwurr (Gupapuyngu), Warramirri, Dhalwangu, Ritharrangu and Ganalbingu.

History
Aboriginal people have inhabited this region for more than 40,000 years. After the Goulburn Island mission was set up in 1921, Elcho Island was chosen as the site for a second Methodist overseas mission. Oil drilling by the Naphtha Petroleum Company later closed the mission site, which was relocated to Milingimbi. Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island was eventually established in 1942 as a refuge from possible bombing of the Milingimbi Royal Australian Air Force Base during World War II. It is the service centre for several traditional tribal homelands, which were encouraged during the early settlement in order to retain the traditional way of life. In 2008, Galiwin’ku became part of the East Arnhem Shire and the Shire took over local government.

Art & Culture
North East Arnhem Land has a very strong cultural heritage, with Yolngu ceremonies being practiced on a regular basis. The Art and Craft Centre at Elcho Island promotes local arts and crafts. The deeply spiritual artists specialise in producing both traditional Yolngu x-rays style works and more contemporary designs utilising natural ochres on bark and paper. They also produce stunning morning star poles (ceremonial emblems), yidakis (didgeridoos), carving, jewellery and hand woven baskets made from raw materials collected from the bushland and beaches surrounding their homelands. During the dry season (May - October) many organised tour groups visit the Centre.

City/Shire Council
The East Arnhem Shire Council
Galiwin’ku Community Inc

Local & Govt Services
Police station, primary school and Shepherdson College (to year 12)

Facilities
Aboriginal Land Progressive Assoc (ALPA) Store, Take Away, Marthakal Homelands Association, Aged and Disability Services, Art Centre, and Sports Grounds.

Attractions
Fishing, exhibitions and cultural ceremonies

Telecommunications reception and internet access

• Phone access
• ADSL Internet/email access

Permits required ie camping, alcohol, beach etc
Galiwin’ku is a traditional Aboriginal community with restricted access; permission to visit is required and can be made through the Northern Land Council directly or via the Galiwin’ku Council. Galiwin’ku is a dry community with total alcohol restrictions.

Useful Links
www.eastarnhem.net.au
www.gpnnt.org.au
www.alpa.asn.au