The Police held a community meeting at the store today to alleviate concerns in Yarralin, following recent COVID outbreaks.
The Yarralin Police Sergeant addresses community
Everybody knows the importance of wearing masks and social distancing where possible. The meeting allowed community to ask questions and seek clarification around what’s happening locally.
We’re trying to limit the spread by bringing in the following rules for the Yarralin Community Store:
Maximum 10 people in the shop at any one time.
No children in the shop.
Everybody to wear masks BEFORE they enter the shop.
Everybody to sanitise their hands when they enter the shop.
Please check-in with the app when you enter the store.
Mr Young Najukpayi has selflessly devoted his life to his country, his culture and his people.
He has also provided many years of invaluable service in support of the activities of the NLC, particularly in relation to a number of claims under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act (ALRA) and the Native Title Act.
Mr Young Najukpayi’s evidence, knowledge, assistance and advice has been critical to the success of a number of land claims and matters and also to the preservation of knowledge of country and the maintenance of culture.
NLC Chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi did not hesitate to support Mr Young Najukpayi’s nomination when he was approached in 2021.
“I can think of no more worthy recipient for such an award than Mr Young Najukpayi, who has contributed so much to his people, country and the work of the Northern Land Council over many, many years,” said Mr Bush-Blanasi.
“Mr Young Najukpayi is a humble man but he is one of the giants upon whose shoulders we all stand. It is only through the dedication and selfless commitment of people like Mr Young Najukpayi that we have got a lot of country back and kept our cultures alive.”
Speaking from Mr Young Najukpayi’s hometown of Yarralin, Mayor of the Victoria Daly Regional Council and Executive Councillor of the NLC, Brian Pedwell, said that the whole of Yarralin and the VRD district was happy for Mr Young Najukpayi today.
“We are all pleased to see that one of our countrymen has been honoured in this way. His recognition is long overdue and I know that I speak on behalf of everyone at Yarralin and right across the VRD when I send our heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to Mr Young Najukpayi, his family and countrymen and women,” said Mayor Pedwell.
It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Mr Brian Darby in community today. Mr Darby was a senior culture man within community and a Director of Walangeri Ngumpinku.
A community meeting was held at the store today, to inform community about the recent COVID-19 measures, including the mask mandate.
Community COVID-19 Meeting, 17th November 2021
The NT Police, Katherine West Health, and local community leader Wesley Campbell, all spoke to community to answer any questions they had and let them know about what was going on.
A batch of masks are arriving on the truck tomorrow, which will be available through the store at cost price. The clinic is also supplying masks to those at risk.
Last year, Victoria Daly Regional Council transferred the Yarralin Community Store to Walangeri Ngumpinku Aboriginal Corporation. We engaged AIG to assist us with the day-to-day management of the store, hiring Store Managers, and dealing with suppliers.
It’s always been our dream to manage the store ourselves, within community. This is a dream that goes back twenty years, when the store was fully staffed by local Yarralin community members – including as Store Managers.
After a lot of hard work, we’re on path to return to full community management. We’re pleased to announce the establishment of Kyang-Kyang Aboriginal Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walangeri Ngumpinku. Kyang-Kyang was created so that the store can operate under its own ABN and to make things easier when it comes to the reporting requirements for the store.
Yarralin Community Store is now a registered business name of Kyang-Kyang Aboriginal Corporation.
As of 1st November 2021, Kyang-Kyang has taken over the management of the Yarralin Community Store from AIG and Walangeri Ngumpinku. We’d like to thank AIG for assisting us with this process and working with us to help achieve our dream of a fully community operated store.
Kyang-Kyang will now be responsible for hiring Store Managers, setting the pricing strategy, and dealing with suppliers. We’ve already engaged Carol & Gary Brown who are working with us as Transition Managers, while we advertise for ongoing Store Managers.
Wesley (Director), Carol (Transition Manager), Martin (CEO), Sharatine (Director), Wendy and Andrew (Relief Managers) – and the Police help with our BBQ
We held a BBQ for community, to announce the transition locally, as well as to thank Andrew and Wendy who worked as relief managers during the transition to Kyang-Kyang. Thanks to the local Police who also helped out with the BBQ.
The Take-Away re-opens with some great meals and happy customers
After a lot of work, we’ve also been able to re-open the Take-Away, which has been closed for over 18 months. It’s great to have it open again and to see it already doing great and so well received by community. Thanks goes to Matt, our Take-Away Supervisor, who’s cooking up a storm.
It’s been an exciting journey and we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
Work has begun on the culvert over Sandy Creek. This is a project that the Yarralin community have been pushing for, for several years now.
It’s great to see work begin as Sandy Creek is the last creek before Yarralin that often cuts us off during the wet. Once it’s open, it will provide regular access to Yarralin through-out the wet and cut-down on road damage – particularly from community members driving back and forth to Sandy Creek, only to have to turn around because they can’t get through the creek.
We’d like to thank the NT Government for their efforts in bringing this project to life.
The Liquor Commission held a Public Hearing in Yarralin in response to a letter Walangeri Ngumpinku sent Minister Fyles about alcohol issues in community.
Liquor Commission, Public Hearing in Yarralin
Members of community came along to talk about the issues with alcohol and discuss solutions, particularly around licensing restrictions.
Community recognise the issues and know that licensing restrictions are just a small part of the overall picture, with activities needed to engage youth and young adults in community.
The funding allowed us to undertake a range of projects at the Yarralin Motel, Yarralin Community Store, our office, and are helping us re-ignite our Ngarinyman Bush Soap products.
The Yarralin Motel now boasts new vinyl floors – repairing damage from heavy rain over the years, and an all new gravel car park which will prevent visitors from having to walk through mud and water during the wet season.
The Yarralin Motel car park with heavy rain (left) and now, a new car park without the mud puddles (right).
New commercial grade washing machines, linen, and storage cupboards have also been bought. These improvements will ensure the longevity of the motel and maintain ongoing employment opportunities for community.
The Yarralin Community Store is benefitting from a new backup generator (the old one had stopped working many years ago) which will ensure food security for community in the event of power failures. The store carpark was also redesigned, allowing for safer parking of vehicles, and allowing more vehicles to be parked off the street.
The old carpark on the left, with upgrades shown on the right.
Other works at the store include an upgraded point of sale system, a new security system, fencing repairs to improve security, and two new display freezers which replaced old units that were malfunctioning.
Ngarinyman Bush Soap will benefit from new soap moulds, additional soap base, and an advertising campaign to boost sales planned for later this year. You can find out more about Ngarinyman Bush Soap on our Facebook page.
None of these improvements would have been possible without this grant funding which would have threatened long-term and ongoing job opportunities in the Yarralin community. Special thanks goes to the NLC and the Federal Government for the funding.
GT Builders have been hard at work since October last year, completing several new homes in Yarralin community. As part of the Government’s housing program, the new brick houses include several duplexes which will help reduce over-crowding in community.
GT Builders with Walangeri Ngumpinku Director Colin Campbell (left), some of the new housing on Campbell Street (right)
As thank you to community, they also provided the school with a garden for growing fruits and vegetables, along with some tools to help out.
We’re happy to report that the damage done to the Buchanan Highway over the wet has mostly been repaired. Travellers should note it is a gravel road and so care should always be taken to drive to the conditions. However, with no rain for several weeks, the roads are dry and the creeks and rivers are passable. The Dashwood crossing has also been re-opened.
Walangeri Ngumpinku Aboriginal Corporation 