Minjilang, Northern Territory


Minjilang, formerly Mission Bay, is the Aboriginal community located on Croker Island, some 235 km east northeast of Northern Territory's capital of Darwin. It is the only settlement of any size on Croker Island. The island is just a few kilometres from Cobourg Peninsula on the mainland. The community of Minjilang is on the opposite, eastern side of the island on Mission Bay, a secluded bay.

Population

At the 2011 census, Minjilang had a population of 308 primarily Aboriginal people of the Yarmirr people. About 150 speak Iwaidja and are the only speakers of this language, but English, Kunwinjku and Maung are also spoken. Approximately 48% of the population is unemployed. Croker Island offered a safe haven to many children from the "Stolen Generation". Croker is a so-called dry community, meaning no alcohol may be brought into the village, to prevent abuse. However, the controlled sale of kava is licensed.

Climate


Services

Minjilang has a supermarket, school, clinic serviced by a nurse and health worker. West Arnhem Region provides a number of services, e.g. waste collection, power and water supply and sewerage, and maintenance of roads, the barge landing and community airstrip.

Communications

Croker Island Airfield is located about 11 km west of Minjilang and immediately south of Adjamarrago, a small family outstation. An air service to Darwin is run on a daily basis by Murin Airways. The haul to Darwin takes about an hour. The community barge service to Darwin by Perkins Shipping is a weekly affair. The island itself has only low-grade dirt roads. A permit from the Northern Land Council is needed for any visitors wishing to come to Croker Island, as it is restricted Aboriginal-owned land. The community receives one radio station as well as four television stations.