Wadeye facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wadeye Northern Territory
Wadeye Location in Northern Territory
Population	1,924 (2021 census)
Postcode(s)	0822
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Location	394 km (245 mi) from Darwin
LGA(s)	West Daly Region
Territory electorate(s)	Daly
Federal Division(s)	Lingiari
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 32.4 °C 90 °F 20.5 °C 69 °F 1,260.3 mm 49.6 in

Wadeye is a town located in Australia's Northern Territory. It used to be known as Port Keats and is still sometimes called that. The name Port Keats came from a mission that started there in 1935. Later, the Northern Territory Government managed the area as an Aboriginal reserve. In 1978, the Kardu Numida Council took over, and the community was renamed Wadeye.

In 2021, about 1,924 people lived in Wadeye. It is one of the largest Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

History of Wadeye

Aboriginal Australians have lived in the Wadeye area for a very long time, long before European settlers arrived.

How Port Keats Mission Started

The town began as a Catholic mission station in 1935. It was founded by Father Richard Docherty at a place called Werntek Nganayi. In 1938, the mission moved about 14 kilometers (9 miles) inland to where Wadeye is today. This move happened because the first location did not have enough water.

At the mission, dormitories were built for Aboriginal boys and girls. These children, aged 5 to 17, lived there away from their families. The mission also had a school, provided medical care, and taught religious lessons. The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart cared for the girls. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart looked after the boys. The school was closed for a few years during World War II, from 1941 to 1946.

Changes at the Mission

The mission dormitories later became a residential school, which operated until 1975. In the 1970s, the Northern Territory Government took control of the area. It was managed as an Aboriginal reserve during this time. In 1978, the Kardu Numida Council took over, and the community's name officially changed to Wadeye.

Community Challenges in 2022

In April 2022, disagreements between different family groups led to serious unrest in Wadeye. Many homes were damaged by fire, and about 125 properties needed repairs. This forced many residents to leave their homes. After the violence, some residents moved to Darwin or camped in the bush.

However, community leaders and Traditional owners began working to bring peace back to Wadeye. They started peacekeeping efforts. A year later, many men and women gathered for a traditional ceremony for young men. With help from the Northern Territory Police, efforts are ongoing to make Wadeye a safe place for young people.

Who Lives in Wadeye?

The population of Wadeye has been around 2,000 people. In the 2016 census, 2,280 residents were counted. By the 2021 census, there were 1,924 people living there. Wadeye is one of the largest Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

People in Wadeye come from seven different language groups. The main language spoken is Murrinh-patha. Other languages include Marri-Ngarr, Marri-Tjavin, Magata-ge, and Djamindjung.

Where is Wadeye Located?

Wadeye is a remote town. It is located on the western edge of the Daly River Reserve. It is about 230 kilometers (143 miles) by air southwest of Darwin. The Fitzmaurice River forms its southern border.

The town is also near the Hyland Bay and Moyle Floodplain Important Bird Area. This area is important for many waterbirds.

How to Get to Wadeye

Wadeye has a sealed airstrip called Port Keats Airfield. There are regular passenger flights to Darwin. Road access to Wadeye is mostly unsealed via the Port Keats/Daly River Road. You can only reach Wadeye by road during the dry season. In the wet season, many river crossings become flooded. During this time, you can only get there by light aircraft or coastal barge.

What Facilities Does Wadeye Have?

Wadeye has several organizations that provide services to the community. These include government and non-government groups.

Education and Health

There is a Catholic school run by Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It provides education for students from the first year of school up to year 12. In 2020, seven students finished high school in Wadeye. This was the first time since 2007 that anyone had completed the final year.

The Northern Territory Government operates a clinic in Wadeye. This clinic offers primary health care and emergency services. If someone needs more serious medical care, they are transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital. This transfer is done by the Top End Medical Retrieval Service.

Community Services

The Thammarurr Development Corporation (TDC) is the main development group for the community. It represents 21 local clan groups. The TDC helps with funding, leadership, and community development. This includes areas like health, housing, education, and land matters.

The TDC also runs a well-stocked shop and a take-away food outlet in Wadeye.

Recreation

In November 2023, the town's swimming pool reopened. It had been closed for five years. Residents are happy about the pool reopening. It provides a safer place to swim than the nearby creeks, which have crocodiles.

Art and Culture in Wadeye

Nym Bunduk was the first painter from Wadeye to gain international attention. An anthropologist named Bill Stanner asked him to create artworks explaining traditional law. Nym Bunduk made many bark paintings that showed the dreaming stories. These paintings helped Stanner with his research.

In 1958, George Chaloupka asked local artists, including Nym Bunduk, Charlie Mardigan, and Charlie Brinken, to create 64 paintings. By the 1960s, the Catholic Mission started buying artworks from local artists at the mission store. Bark painting soon became a small business run by the mission. Richard 'Skunky' Parmbuk continues this artistic tradition today.

Climate in Wadeye

Wadeye, like other parts of the Top End, has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has clear wet and dry seasons.

Dry Season

The dry season usually lasts from May to October. During the coolest months, from May to August, temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F). In the months leading up to the wet season (September to November), temperatures can go above 40°C (104°F).

Wet Season

The wet season generally brings monsoon rains and tropical cyclones. Most of the rain falls from December to March. Thunderstorms are common during this time. The air is also very humid, with afternoon humidity often over 70 percent in the wettest months.