News

Rained in: West Arnhem swamped by big Wet

14 Feb 2014

WET season rains are having an impact on communities across West Arnhem, cutting roads and supplies of essential items. The road bridge across the Adelaide River on the Arnhem Highway has been out for a couple of weeks. Road closures have affected many business and postal services, with freight costs to Jabiru increasing a whopping 30 per cent. West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor Lothar Siebert said t he Northern Territory government should start looking at plans to minimise the impact of floodwaters. “We may have to consider seeking Federal Government assistance," Mayor Siebert said.Read more

Agencies team up for Australia Day

10 Feb 2014

AUSTRALIA Day long weekend celebrations got underway in Maningrida with a Junior Football game and free barbecue held on Saturday, January 25. AFL NT Regional Development Officer Maningrida Bernie Price congratulated all involved on a great morning for the kids. The success of the event reiterated the the importance of inter-agency cooperation, he said.Read more

Oz Day a star attraction in Jabiru

31 Jan 2014

AUSTRALIA Day went off like a frog in a sock last weekend, with a packed house at the Jabiru Golf Club for the Awards, free buffet lunch and Family Fun Day. West Arnhem Regional Council named Jim Wilson Citizen of the Year for his quiet, ongoing support of Indigenous communities and outstations. Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Darryl Tambling, the first Indigenous community student to win School Captain at Jabiru Area School. The Kakadu Triathlon was voted the Community Event of the Year. Special guest presenter Craig "Crackers" Hand, took time out from his adventures to keep the day rolling with competitions, spot prizes, and kids' games.Read more

Jabiru Bombers blitz home turf

17 Jan 2014

Jabiru Bombers made the most of their home ground advantage last Saturday, running away with a strong victory against visitors Tracy Village. Try as they might, Tracy Village could not clip the wings of Bombers’ Jake Bonner, who kicked five goals to be named Best Player. Craig Bangar from Gunbalanya added three to the tally. Assistant coach Ian Douglas said the team first had to overcome the logistical challenge of ferrying players across the swollen East Alligator River.Read more

Gunbalanya gets on with truancy task

17 Jan 2014

West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) Mayor Lothar Siebert says the Council will give the Government all the assistance it needs to help make its new school attendance program a success. Truancy officers began work in the West Arnhem community last week, tasked with improving student attendance rates at the West Arnhem College Gunbalanya Campus under the Federal Government’s Remote School Attendance Strategy. Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said the Gunbalanya trial would inform the rollout of the $28 million program in 40 remote communities across Australia. Mayor Siebert expressed concerns about the strategy in a frank meeting with Mr Scullion at the WARC Gunbalanya office on Tuesday, January 7.Read more