Clinic Profile

Category
PGPPP, GPR

Health Centre Information
Facilities and rooms: Women’s area with four (4) consulting rooms, Men’s area with three (3) consulting rooms. Staff: There are up to 12 nursing roles, 10 Indigenous Health Practitioners / admin and three (3) to four (4) GPs.

Location
Nguiu Health Centre is located at Nguiu (aka Wurrumiyanga), which is on the South-East corner of Bathurst Island. Bathurst Island is part of the Tiwi Islands group (Bathurst Island and Melville Island) approximately 80kms North-West of Darwin in the Arafura Sea.

Outstations Serviced
Ranku, a small town of around 60 people.

Programs
Emergency department
Acute disease management
Chronic disease management and care plans

Open Times
Mon - Fri: 0800hrs – 1630hrs
Weekends & Public Holidays: Remote Nurse(s) On Call

Contact Details
Julanimawu Health Centre
Puti Drive
Nguiu
Bathurst Island NT 0822
P: 08 8978 3984

Additional Information
The Nguiu (Julanimawu) Health Centre is run by NT Government Remote Health.

 

Community Profile

Community Information
Nguiu (Wurrumiyanga) is the largest community in the Tiwi Islands. The Tiwi islands have conservation significance and are an important site for marine turtle nesting and seabird breeding.

Population
Nguiu (Wurrumiyanya) has a population of approximately 1600 people, of whom more than one-third are under 20 years of age.

Major Language Groups
Most residents speak Tiwi as their first language and English as their second language.

Access via Air
Fly Tiwi operates services all year round to the Bathurst and Melville Islands (Nguiu, Pirlangimpi and Milikapiti). There are daily regular flights (approx. 30 minutes) to Bathurst Island.

Seasonal Access
The climate of Bathurst Island is heavily affected by the monsoon season from November to March. The majority of the yearly rainfall occurs during this time, a period in which tropical cyclones can occur. The airstrip may close in the event of a cyclone warning.

History
Nguiu (Wurrumiyanya) was founded in 1911 as a Catholic mission by Francis Xavier Gsell and is now independently managed by the Tiwi people. In 2010 the community changed its name from Nguiu to Wurrumiyanga, meaning the place where the cycads grow. This change was requested by the Tiwi Land Council, on advice from the Traditional Land Owners, the Mantiyupwi clan. Nguiu remains an alternative name for Wurrumiyanga, as acknowledged by the Northern Territory Government Place Names Register.

Art and Culture
Traditional customs such as hunting from the land and sea are still an important part of Tiwi life. The creation of art is also a fundamental part of the Tiwi Island culture and economy. Tiwi art, including paintings, prints, sculptures and textiles, is renowned throughout the world and exhibited in many major galleries.

City/Shire Council
Tiwi Islands Shire Council

Facilities and Services
The community has basic infrastructure and a range of community and sporting facilities including men’s and women’s centres, aged care, child care, a Catholic school, health centre and renal unit, supermarket, football oval, swimming pool and basketball court.

Attractions
The Tiwi Islands Football Grand Final and Art Sale takes place every March in Nguiu, the main settlement on Bathurst Island. The football is fast and skilful with many players electing to play barefoot. The art sale is held on the Island in the morning before the festivities begin on the football field at around noon.

Telecommunications reception and internet access

• Phone access
• ADSL Internet/email access
• Satellite

Coverage available from three major carriers: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

Permits required ie camping, alcohol, beach etc
Wurrumiyanga is a traditional Aboriginal community and visitors normally require permission from the Tiwi Islands Shire Council.