Djarindjin is a medium-sized Aboriginal community located 170 km (110 mi) north of Broome in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, within the Shire of Broome. It is within the traditional lands of the Bardi and Jawi peoples.
Location
Djarindjin is located on the west coast of the northern Dampier Peninsula sub-region, north of Broome. Djarindjin is part of a single urban area that incorporates the Lombadina Aboriginal community and the Lombadina Mission. At the 2016 Census, this single urban area had a total population of 397, including 312 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.[2]
The township is approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) due west of Cape Leveque Road. Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation maintains a very large land holding surrounding the town. This land includes existing and proposed development that services the northern Dampier Peninsula sub-region, including an airstrip, multi-function police station, and drinking water protection area, all of which are located at the Cape Leveque Road junction into Djarindjin.[3]
History
Djarindjin is within the traditional lands of the Bardi and Jawi people and belongs to the Goollargoon country.[4] This was recognised by the Government of Australia when it was determined that the Bardi and Jawi people hold native title over the northern Dampier Peninsula.
The Lombadina Catholic mission of the German Pallottine Fathers existed from 1911, taking over a mixed Filipino-indigenous community. In 1981 it had two St. John of God Sisters teaching, five lay missionaries, and an administrator appointed by the Bishop of Broome.[5]
Native title
The community located within the determination area of the Bardi and Jawi (WAD49/1998, WAD6001/2004) native title claim.[6]
Town planning
The Djarindjin Layout Plan No.3 was prepared in accordance with State Planning Policy 3.2 Aboriginal Settlements. Layout Plan No.3 was endorsed by the community on 31 May 2007 and by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 1 July 2008.[7]
Education
Children of school age at Djarindjin attend the Christ the King Catholic School (formerly Lombadina-Djarindjin Catholic Primary School).[4] As of 2019 there were 88 students enrolled, from kindergarten to 17 years of age. The Bardi language and culture is being taught at the school by Bardi man Vincent McKenzie, who grew up speaking Bardi,[8] along with development of strong literacy and numeracy skills, music, trade training certificates in hospitality and construction, various other subjects and a special needs program.[9]
Governance
The community is managed through its incorporated body, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation, incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 on 10 September 1985.[10]
References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Djarindjin Community (Indigenous Location)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Djarindjin-Lombadina". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ Cordingley, Glenn; Waddell, Jakeb (28 April 2018). "Remote airport fuelled by passion". The West Australian. Perth, Western Australia. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Djarindjin and Lombadina communities". Australian Government. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ Ganter, Regina. "Lombadina 1911-1975". German Missionaries in Australia. Griffith University. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ Native Title Register Details - Bardi and Jawi Native Title Determination
- ^ "Layout plans". Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ McKenzie, Vincent (13 August 2019). "Education is the key to keeping Bardi language and culture strong". Life. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ "Curriculum". Christ the King Catholic School. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ Documents for Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
Trevor Ishiguchi
Music Recording and Video Production Assistant
Trevor Ishiguchi started working with PAKAM in 2010. He previously worked with the Education Department as a Teacher’s Assistant in Oombulgurri community. Although Trevor had no prior experience in media, he showed natural talent as a radio broadcaster in Djarindjin and Bidyadanga and as a musician and video clip producer. His song “Little Lady” won Most Popular Music Clip on Indigitube in 2012 at the National Remote Indigenous Media Festival.
Since 2013 Trevor has worked as Music Recording engineer for the PAKAM Music Recording Project, helping remote community musicians record their music and produce video clips of their songs. Twenty artists from seven communities recorded over 50 songs for our compilation albums “PAKAM Music Vols 1, 2 and 3.”
As a child, I saw a documentary on traditional hunting and lifestyles on TV. This inspired me to want to work in the media industry. Media gives us so many insights and knowledge of different tribes and their law and culture. It also makes it possible for future generations to carry on the traditions and find themselves in the process. It’s so good to know what’s special about our culture.