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Emma Cook
The first day of this newest adventure can be summed up in one word… planes. I had to travel on three planes to get even close to Kalumburu which is Western Australia’s northern most settlements and one of its most remote.
Have Your Say: What type of services do you think are needed to tackle social problems like those experienced in the Aboriginal community of Kalumburu?
I started off with a Boeing 747 and finished in relatively small Dash 8. But that was nothing compared to the four seater mail plane that took me from Kununnurra to Kalumburu the next day.
The roads to Kalumburu are cut off during the wet season so often the mail plane, which only comes twice a week, is the only connection to the outside world.
Kalumburu was one of the most remote communities I had ever been to. There was no mobile coverage whatsoever and everything shut down at 4pm.
The only accommodation was these tiny little dongas that were big enough to fit a single bed and had no natural air in them. I soon became acquainted with the wildlife- I didn’t mind the big green frog that had taken up residence in the communal showers or the stray cat that ate all my food scraps- but the brown snake that hung out in the communal kitchen was a just a little too much.
I was in Kalumburu for three days to see how the community was dealing with being hurtled in the spotlight last year following allegations of widespread child abuse.
I was the first journalist for a very long time to spend more than a few hours in the place to understand how the community had gotten to that point. And let’s face it, the only real stories covering what was happening in Kalumburu was the court cases being held in Broome associated with the allegations.
It was a tough assignment given that it was so isolated and people didn’t want to talk about what was being heard in the courts. But it made me realise that this is the strength of Living Black- what other news outlet would allow you as a one person operator to travel so far from Sydney to spend a few days to get a taste of what it must be like to live in a place like Kalumburu and understand the history.
And hopefully you’ll agree that it also allows viewers to get a taste of it, to understand how communities like Kalumburu have gotten to this point.
PUBLISH
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What type of services do you think are needed to tackle social problems like those experienced in the Aboriginal community of Kalumburu?
COMMENTS
First [1][2] Last-
NICOLE FROM BENDIGO SAYS:
01:15:39 PM Tuesday, 6th May, 2008
There needs to be an incentive for the kids to go to school, I understand there is a program in another indigenous community where if the kids attend school for 5 days they get paid $5 and if they attend all year with only a minimum absentism, they get a bike which is funded by the local community and the Government. Education is the key to change for the next generation. Bendigo Catholic College is providing aeducation and sponsor family for a number of children from the Kalumburu community and todate, have successful results.
I agree (3 agree)I disagree (4 disagree) -
DAVID WATERS FROM ADELAIDE SAYS:
10:46:02 PM Saturday, 3rd May, 2008
I would like to see your views and the views of others on the Inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of Patient Assisted Travel Schemes (PATS) Which is currently in the senate committee in regards to correct care and travel arrangements of Aborigines from remote regions of Australia to places such as Adelaide for major surgery. I think it is important that people know of the stages of transporting people from remote regions and how they are prepared after all they are going for major surgery in a unknown place with people and customes unusual to their local enviroment
I agree (5 agree)I disagree (5 disagree) -
MAUREEN JACKSON FROM SYDNEY NSW SAYS:
04:05:35 PM Friday, 2nd May, 2008
AS A REGULAR VIEWER OF LIVING BLACK I FEEL THE AID NEEDED BY THE ABORIGINES OF THE KIMBERLIES PARTICULARLY IS TOO SLOW IN COMING TALK IS CHEAP WITH GOVERNMENTS AND ACTION IS TOO SLOW. I ALSO FEEL THERE SHOULD BE MANDATORY INFORMATION GIVEN TO HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN AND THOSE WHO ARE IN DANGER AFTER GIVING BIRTH. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE SHOULD BE NO LOSS OF LIFE AMONG BIRTHING MOTHERS OF ANY COMMUNITY
I agree (5 agree)I disagree (5 disagree) -
KATRINA VANDERZWAN FROM WOLLONGONG SAYS:
12:58:14 PM Thursday, 1st May, 2008
This program has showed that the Indigenous community of Kalumburu has accepted Government interception, and now when they need help the most where is the government? Somewhere else. A problem that has been around for many years can not be fix within 5 minutes and with not alot of funding. programs need to not only be initatied but be ran continually so be effective.
I agree (6 agree)I disagree (6 disagree) -
VIRGINIA FROM SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS SAYS:
11:49:01 AM Thursday, 1st May, 2008
This short program on a complex blend of issues is not worthy to call this piece 'journalism'. Aboriginal communities deserve community privacy to work internally on their programs with government and resolve their issues with human dignity. With the current bipartisan support the solutions for the communities and with the help of internal and external resources can be implemented. For immediate journalistic endeavour put the spotlight on the silence in Aboriginal water rights and economic levys on mining companies to financially provide a foundation for self-sufficiency.
I agree (7 agree)I disagree (10 disagree) -
D. HEALY FROM BROOME SAYS:
08:39:34 PM Wednesday, 30th April, 2008
Drug
I agree (5 agree)I disagree (5 disagree) -
JOHN BROWN FROM TOOWOOMBA SAYS:
07:16:44 PM Wednesday, 30th April, 2008
Sexual abuse is not confined to the aboriginal communities. Aboriginal communities - set a 2 goals with a time frame. Goal: To congratulate the first (x) qualified aboriginal people from the program. Goal: To establish and maintain facilities where the graduate can undertake in their own communities their chosen health/support career. Provide a pathway for indigenous children/teens/adults to one of an aboriginal person obtaining qualifications in areas of greatest need in the communities, ie psychologists, counselors, nurses, support service, lifestyle, health etc. ... Provide a one million dollar bonus to the communities when they achieve the goal of having qualified and supported psychologists, counselors, nurses, support service, lifestyle, health etc. ... return to the communities to add their skill and kinship in working in their chosen area. Believe you can sell this to government on the basis of the kudos they would achieve in the eyes of Australians (all of us) and the world, and by the fact that it would be a case of stupidity/discrimination or a breach of human rights. These human rights have not been upheld in any of our communities in my lifetime. The evidence for that is the almost 99% failure in regards providing support/services/justice for the many victims of clergy sexual abuse, let alone sexual abuse/domestic violence victims in the broader Australian community regardless of their gender, race, religion etc.. Governments will not just throw money in the beginning -> they will however (I hope and believe so) provide additional cash incentives to communities who are willing to actively promote and support this program from within the communities. An additional million dollars which actually goes back in to financially supporting a healthy self provided self supporting, self healing capable community. Time frame would be: ((required years of training/education) (6 months of working in a community)). I don't believe there is any more suitable project on offer. It is obvious to see that such a structure is self building - as surely that is the aim and intention of our government. If the support structure to achieve this are planned and ways to achieve this are paved through joint work (Government communities) - there can only be the achievement and implementation of a healthy long-term project which can and does provide the very things each and every community needs. John Brown
I agree (5 agree)I disagree (9 disagree) -
JOHN BROWN FROM TOOWOOMBA SAYS:
07:08:12 PM Wednesday, 30th April, 2008
Sexual abuse is not confined to the aboriginal communities. Aboriginal communities - set a 2 goals with a time frame. Goal: To congratulate the first (x) qualified aboriginal people from the program. Goal: To establish and maintain facilities where the graduate can undertake in their own communities their chosen health/support career. Provide a pathway for indigenous children/teens/adults to one of an aboriginal person obtaining qualifications in areas of greatest need in the communities, ie psychologists, counselors, nurses, support service, lifestyle, health etc. ... Provide a one million dollar bonus to the communities when they achieve the goal of having qualified and supported psychologists, counselors, nurses, support service, lifestyle, health etc. ... return to the communities to add their skill and kinship in working in their chosen area. Believe you can sell this to government on the basis of the kudos they would achieve in the eyes of Australians (all of us) and the world, and by the fact that it would be a case of stupidity/discrimination or a breach of human rights. These human rights have not been upheld in any of our communities in my lifetime. The evidence for that is the almost 99% failure in regards providing support/services/justice for the many victims of clergy sexual abuse, let alone sexual abuse/domestic violence victims in the broader Australian community regardless of their gender, race, religion etc.. Governments will not just throw money in the beginning -> they will however (I hope and believe so) provide additional cash incentives to communities who are willing to actively promote and support this program from within the communities. An additional million dollars which actually goes back in to financially supporting a healthy self provided self supporting, self healing capable community. Time frame would be: ((required years of training/education) (6 months of working in a community)). I don't believe there is any more suitable project on offer. It is obvious to see that such a structure is self building - as surely that is the aim and intention of our government. If the support structure to achieve this are planned and ways to achieve this are paved through joint work (Government communities) - there can only be the achievement and implementation of a healthy long-term project which can and does provide the very things each and every community needs. John Brown
I agree (5 agree)I disagree (8 disagree) -
ALLEN HAMPTON FROM ALBURY SAYS:
06:41:57 PM Wednesday, 30th April, 2008
Just like after a cyclone! I think Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is big enough and genuine enough to treat the needs of the Kalumburu community on merit. I have sent his office that message.
I agree (7 agree)I disagree (7 disagree) -
LINDA FROM BOWRAL SAYS:
06:36:42 PM Wednesday, 30th April, 2008
It needs people who are interested in helping long term. It needs the government to take notice of their plea for help and act on it with qualified people who can help with alcohol,drug abuse and education, living in the community and be on hand, first hand. It needs the adults of the community to realise that their children are the future, and think past the alcohol and drugs. It needs dedicated health funding for the communities. It needs a structure that blends both aboriginal and western lifestyle so they may take the best of both to move forward. 'Whitefella' structure on its own is not working, create a new one, to encompass both so the aboriginal children grow up knowing who they are and able to continue their own traditions as well as living in the 'white man's' world. And yes, it need PERMANENT services in ALL areas.
I agree (7 agree)I disagree (6 disagree)
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