Everything about Groote Eylandt totally explained
Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the
Gulf of Carpentaria in northeastern
Australia. It is the homeland of, and is owned by, the
Anindilyakwa people (who still speak the isolated
Anindilyakwa language).
Groote Eylandt lies approximately 50
km from the
Northern Territory mainland and eastern coast of
Arnhem Land (approximately 630 km from
Darwin). The island measures approximately 50 km from east to west and 60 km north—south, a total area of some 2,260
km². It is generally quite low-lying, with an average height above sea level of 15
m. Its geographic coordinates are . It was named by the explorer
Abel Tasman in
1644 and is
Dutch for "Large Island" in a now-archaic spelling.
Mining
Groote Eylandt is part of the
Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve.
GEMCO, a
BHP Billiton subsidiary, operates a large
manganese mine near the community of
Angurugu, paying royalties to the traditional owners. In operation since the early
1960s, the mine produces more than 3.8 million
tonnes annually - about 25 percent of the world's total.
The island is open to the public only with permission, and the local
Aboriginal Land Council hasn't encouraged tourism. Typically, a permit from the Anindilyakwa Land Council office is required to visit the island.
History
Groote Eylandt was first sighted by Europeans in
1623, by the
Dutch ship
Arnhem, under
Willem van Coolsteerdt. However, it wasn't until 1644, when Tasman arrived, that the island was given a European name. Groote Eylandt is 17th century
Dutch for Big Island. The first European settlement on the island was established at
Emerald River in
1921, in the form of a Christian mission by the
Church Missionary Society. During
World War II, in
1943, the mission moved to
Angurugu, as the
RAAF required the use of the mission's airstrip. The ruins of the RAAF base are still evident today. The island was also used as a
flying boat base by
Qantas for a period of time. In
1979, control of the island was transferred to the local
Aboriginal Town Council.
Groote Eylandt was converted to Aboriginal freehold title land following the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act of
1976.
On May 20th, 2008, the Federal Government signed a deal with local Aboriginies from Groote Eylandt, to lease land to the Government for 40 years. In return the government will spend money in the community with the aim of improving housing, eduacation and health in the area.
Eylandt Echo newsletter
The Eylandt Echo is produced each fortnight for the benefit of everyone on Groote Eylandt. The newsletter keeps the community up to date on local news, events and recreation. The Eylandt Echo is sponsored by GEMCO as a community service. Issues can be downloaded from
here.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Groote Eylandt'.
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