Our Member
Member Communities
| Galiwin'ku | Gapuwiyak | Minjilang | Milingimbi | Ramingining |
Minjilang Community |
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Minjilang 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 Minjilang Council. Total alcohol restrictions apply. All freight for the ALPA store is barged to the community on a weekly service. The barge landing is 8 km from the community on a good gravel all weather road. |
Store contact details |
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PMB 178, Winnellie NT 0822 |
Links |
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none |
Demography |
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There is a population of approximately 300 people residing in the community and its outstations. The majority of the people are related to the Iwaidja, Marrgu, Kunwinjku and Maung groups. |
Contact History |
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The Macassans had seasonal camps on the west coast of Croker. In 1845 Capt. John Mcarthur, commander of the Port Essington settlement and fort suggested Croker Island as a superior, Singapore style alternative to Port Essington. Mcarthur sent soldiers to Croker to recuperate from the illness and fever that plagued Port Essington. Later there were attempts to grow tobacco and Alf Brown, a trepanger and Customs Officer for Bowen Strait attempted goat farming. In 1941 the Methodist Overseas Mission took responsibility for housing 96 mixed race Aboriginal children on Croker. Because of the war these children were evacuated during Easter in 1942. The children returned in 1946. The mission ran a cottage home system at Croker until 1967. Relatives of the mission children form part of the Minjilang population. |
Minjilang community is located on Croker Island, 230 kms north east of Darwin in west Arnhemland. The island has an area of 120 sq kilometres and is the most northerly inhabited part of the Northern Territory. The island is close to the mainland, being only 2km off the Coburg Peninsula.