Elcho Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elcho Island Northern Territory
NASA Geocover 2000 satellite image
Elcho Island Location in Northern Territory
LGA(s)	Unincorporated area
Territory electorate(s)	Mulka
Federal Division(s)	Lingiari

Elcho Island, also known as Galiwin'ku (or Galiwinku) by its traditional owners, is an island off the coast of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. It's part of the Wessel Islands group in the East Arnhem Region. Galiwin'ku is also the name of the main town on the island. The Yan-nhaŋu people traditionally lived on Elcho Island. The Dhuwal Aboriginal people, who called themselves the Kokalango Mala (meaning clan), also lived here.

Island History

The Galiwin'ku settlement began as a Methodist mission in 1942. Harold Shepherdson, a church worker from Milingimbi, started it. The church managed the mission until 1974. After that, the community started managing itself.

Island Location and People

Elcho Island is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) long. It is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) wide at its widest part. The Arafura Sea is on its western side. The Cadell Strait is on its eastern side. Elcho Island is close to the mainland and Howard Island.

Galiwin'ku is the main community on the island. It is near the southern tip. It is one of the largest and most remote Aboriginal communities in northeast Arnhem Land. It is also the second-largest Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. About 2,000 people live in Galiwin'ku. There are 60 different family groups, called mala. They speak up to 22 different languages. Today, Djambarrpuyngu is the most common language. The people of Galiwin'ku keep their traditions and culture strong. They pass them down to new generations.

There are also many smaller communities, called outstations. Some are on Elcho Island, like Inglis Island. Others are on the mainland, like Matamata. The island has about 2,200 people living there. About 70 of these people are not Aboriginal. The famous Aboriginal musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu lived here. The number of people in Galiwin'ku changes with the seasons. Many people from outstations move to the community during the wet season. This is because it is hard to get to their outstations then. The community also helps about 25 outstations. These outstations have about 450 people. Twelve of these outstations are on Elcho Island. They are:

• Nanyingburra
• Gawa (Gäwa)
• Ban'thula (Gampura)
• Djurranalpi (Djanalpi)
• Dharawa
• Gitan
• Gulmarri
• Watdagawuy
• Dhayirri
• Dyawili (First Creek)
• Dadupu
• Galawarra

Eighteen clan groups on Elcho Island have strong cultural ties. These ties are with mainland Arnhem Land clans. The most common languages are Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu. Both are Yolngu Matha languages. At least 12 more languages are used in the area.

Island Facilities

Galiwin'ku is a traditional Aboriginal community. You need special permission to visit. You can get this from the Northern Land Council or the Galiwin'ku Council. Alcohol is not allowed on the island. There is no regular petrol available. All vehicles use "Opal" fuel, which is a special low-aromatic petrol.

The island has its own airport, called Elcho Island Airport.

Island Geology

Elcho Island has a special type of rock called Galiwinku Dolerite. This rock is found underground. It is also found on the Gove Peninsula and under the Arafura Sea. It is present on the Wessel Islands, including Galiwinku and Milingimbi Islands. This layer of dolerite is beneath another rock layer called Mamadawerre Sandstone.

Island Population Facts

The 2016 census counted 2,206 people on Elcho Island.

• Most people (94.0%) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
• Almost everyone (97.7%) was born in Australia.
• Most people (78.1%) spoke Djambarrpuyngu at home. Only 4.9% spoke only English.
• The most common religion was the Uniting Church (86.8%).
• Many people are young: 42.2% are under 20 years old. About 14% are over 50.

Community Services

The East Arnhem Regional Council (EARC) manages local services for Elcho Island. This council started in 2008. It helps nine remote communities in Arnhem Land. The Council provides many services. These services help the communities stay strong. They also improve daily life, create jobs, and provide basic needs. Some of these services include:

• Help for older people and those with disabilities
• Animal care
• Cemetery management
• Services for children and families
• Citizenship ceremonies
• Community patrol for safety
• Rubbish and environmental services
• Library services
• Local emergency help
• Road and traffic management
• Youth, sport, and recreation programs

Education on Elcho Island

Shepherdson College is a special school on the island. It teaches about 700 students from babies to Year 12. They learn in both Djambarrpuyŋu and English. The school teaches "Both-ways." This means students learn both the Yolŋu way and the Balanda (white person's) way. The school is named after Ella Shepherdson. She was a missionary who taught students under a tree in 1943. Her husband, Rev. Harold Shepherdson, built the first school building. He worked with Yolngu people, including one of Ella's first students. Shepherdson College is known for its cultural programs. It teaches dance, visual arts, music, and crafts.

Elcho Island Dancers

In 2007, a dance group from Elcho Island became famous. They are called the Djuki Mala dancers. They created a dance to the song "Zorba the Greek." They put a video of their dance on YouTube. In just six weeks, it was watched over 360,000 times! Because of this success, the group toured parts of Queensland. They also performed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney in 2008. They even opened the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala in 2009.

Elcho Island Arts

Elcho Island Arts helps Yolŋu artists share their culture. It also helps them earn money by selling their art. The center helps artists create their work. It also helps them grow their skills. This is for both new and well-known artists from Galiwin'ku. It also promotes and sells Yolngu art. The community has run this center since 1992. Famous artists like fibre artist Mavis Warrngilna Ganambarr work here. Other artists include painter Peter Datjin Bararrwanga, carver and weaver Judy Manany, and Gali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi. In 2018, Elcho Island Arts was relaunched. Senior artists Ganambarr, Manany, Burarrwanga, and Gurruwiwi led this new start.

Discovery of an Ancient Coin

In 2018, an old coin was found on a beach on Elcho Island. An archaeologist named Mike Hermes found it. People think the coin is from the medieval Kilwa Sultanate. This sultanate was on the east coast of Africa. Similar coins have been found on Marchinbar Island. Marchinbar Island is also in the Wessel Islands group.

Notable People from Elcho Island

• Baykali Ganambarr, actor
• Cyrus Villanueva, singer
• George Rrurrambu Burarrwanga, musician
• Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, musician
• Leila Gurruwiwi, television presenter