Old Update #15 - Jilkminggan/Duck Creek Aboriginal Community

Jilminggan (30 kmE of Mataranka) 23/05/08 - 26/05/08.

After Devil's Marbles we continued heading North towards Darwin.

We had heard along the way of a family serving where the need was great in an Aboriginal Community just near Mataranka. Jilkminggan or 'Duck Creek' are it's names.

This was about 30 kms East from Mataranka along the 'Roper Hwy'. Part of 'Elsey Station' Ref: "We of the Never Never".

We had arranged to visit Col & Barb Goodvin for a week-end.

We were keen for the kids to see another side of Aboriginal life as compared to what we had seen in Coober Pedy.

This was Phil & Vicki Pollock's(Now Surfers Cong) ole' stomping ground.

This was an awesome experience - living in a community for a few days. And seeing a glimpse of the effort that some of our Bro's & Sis's go to for the sake of the good news.

Of course - I am writing this 4-ish months later. Nothing has really changed with our view of the work that's going in these areas. There is only one thing that's changed - our surprise at the AMOUNT of people that are extending themselves in remote areas.


Just on the side of the Roper Hwy.

Signs like this kind of un-nerve me with 2.5 tonne of van on the back!!

Entrance signs to the Community.

Some communities are VERY SERIOUS about no grog etc. There are some that will actually exercise their power to CONFISCATE YOUR VEHICLE - FOR GOOD !!!

Others though - couldn't give 2 hoots. This community was mid-way I suppose. Alcohol banned - but not policed too well. We were advised to stash of stuff out of sight etc.

Due to petrol sniffing problems, we also stowed the Jerry Can of spare fuel under lock & key. Unreal ay?

Here's our home for a few days (Between Bro Joe's home and Bro William's home)-Just behind the Kingdom Hall.

Another view - CHECK THE DIFFERENCE ON VEGETATION COMPARED TO THE NIGHT BEFORE (Devil's Marbles).

William and Anna's kids. (Witnesses in the community)

Typical dump area.

THERE IS SOME BEAUTIFUL AND VERY UNTOUCHED scenery through here. Only local knowledge gets you to these spots though.

Here's the local waterfall - absolutely pristine.

This is Col - showing us 'The Junction'.


They're pretty serious about the whole 'Our Land' bit.

There was some beautiful areas (including wetlands around here)

Emma with a couple of witness kids.

THIS IS CLASSIC. Col has a Garden Shed next to their caravan and inside is a LARGE SCREEN PROJECTOR TV. Surround sound - bla bla bla. So here we are, out in the middle of nowhere, watching Andre Rieu on a big screen.

Here's the Kingdom Hall (Our caravan on RHS of screen) The hall part is just the right hand half.

Ummm.. yeah.. this IS Australia.

We have recently heard that they are planning on 'extending' the Kingdom Hall out to the mesh screen. The high attendances have brought this on.

Out front of the hall.

Meeting times - Note the Pidgin English - Creole.

Check the night meeting times. 7:30 "Sangodan" = "Sun - gone- down" (ie Night-time)

Inside the KH - Sunday meeting

This was a unique experience at the time. Quite a few of the 'Isolated Groups' up this way use 'Skype' for their meetings. It enables them to have Public Talks regularly. They can also use it for W/T and Ministry School. Talks and comments can be fed 'both ways'- but not always used for W/T etc (Better to operate as smaller group for that type of meeting). GREAT USE OF TECHNOLOGY though for TMS, Serv Meeting and sharing the load from the Public Talks around.

Again we are writing this 4-ish months later. This 'Skype' thing we have now seen on several occasions. It still blows us away. It must really help those Bro's & Sis's who are isolated - to feel a bit more connected that they would otherwise.

THIS IS MARNEY (From Perth) AND CARLA (Local)! (Obviously Heidi felt immediate friendship)

Lunch-time after the meeting at Col and Barbara's place. Some here from Perth and Katherine also.

After Lunch- a few of us went to swim on one of the local swimming holes.

Lot's of fun.

Plus some archery with the local kids.

Our last night with the Goodvin clan.

Col's part Aboriginal - this is some of HIS art.

THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT WEEK-END COL & BARB.

All this fun... in just a few days !