New Years Eve, Melbourne CBD

Image Courtesy of Aspect Jones: http://aspectjones.blogspot.com/

The destination for this year's New Years Eve celebration (a last minute decision) was Suz's gorgeous quintessential Melbourne apartment in the heart of the city. After the initial toast with Mosacto, red bubbles and antipasto delights; we spent the evening oscillating between leisurely wandering amidst the swell of people that had gathered around Flinders Street Station and Federation Square, to absorb the evening's atmosphere and retreating to her lofty abode to seek refugee from the rain and thunder.

At 1145 pm we waded through the crowds and water puddles lining Swanston Street to watch speculator New Year's Eve fireworks illuminate Melbourne's tempestuous night sky. Then we walked along the banks of the Yarra huddled under the shade of colorful umbrellas, laughing and trying to remember the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne. Each year we sing this song but only mange to remember the following lyrics "Should auld acquaintances be forgot (and as our voices crescendo, with mine badly out of tune) never brought to mind..." Ahh...simple moments shared. Beautiful moments. Moments to be cherished.

When we eventually returned to the apartment, I threw off the party frock, slipped into my summer pj's and reclined back on the sofa to let the sound of the city and its celebrations lull me to sleep.

Christmas Night Dreams

Merry Christmas

To those near and far,

Wishing you love, peace and stillness this Christmas.

Love Jules

Last sunset on Elcho Island

Jules today

Dhudupu Outstation on Elcho Island

Oasis of calm

The eastern side of Galiwin'ku Elcho Island is banked with mangrove trees and the western side is renowed for it's white sandy beaches and reefs which are full of mud crabs, barramundi, oysters, crayfish and during the moonson period box jelly fish and crocodiles.

On the weekend we visited two beautiful island reefs. Below is a glimpse of my impressions...

After four wheel driving along rocky red stained terrain,
with the wind in my hair,
we arrived at a deserted beach on the western coast of the island,
- an endless stretch of white soft sand,
low tide,
mangrove roots emerging from the ocean,
deep wells of thick black mud squelching beneath my feet,
and the scorching sun on our backs.

Cheryl and Michelle laid out the balnkets and sat under the shade of a mangrove tree, whilst Jelcalon and Meryl went spear fishing in traditional style and Cath and I wandered along the shore.

We dipped our toes into the warm clear waters and dipped in and out of casual banter on life, dreams and nature.

A blissful and calm day.

Tropical hours

Impressions of the hours before and after work in the Tropics.

Before work I often sit out on the verandah in my Pj's with a mug of freshly brewed coffee in my hand and gaze out at the sea, as the sun streams across the wooden verandah and caresses my bare feet (above).

After a long and challenging week at work, Friday night's storm brought a welcomed relief. This afternoon Cathy and I sat in silence on the banks of the cliff gazing out across the tempestous sea across and welcomed the scent, sound and sensation of the rain against our faces.

Discovering Elcho Island

Google Map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Galiwinku+Northern+Territory,+Australia&oe=utf8&ie=UTF8&hl=en&cd=1&geocode=FS3WSP8dLj8VCA&split=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&hq=&hnear=Galiwinku+Northern+Territory,+Australia&ll=-11.978875,135.63652&spn=0.115531,0.211487&t=h&z=12

Elcho Island is an island off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Australia. It is located at the southern end of the Wessel Islands group located in the East Arnhem Region. The island's largest community is the settlement of Galiwin'ku. Elcho Island is approximately 55 km long and 6 km across at its widest point. It is bounded on the western side by the Arafura Sea and on the east by the Cadell Strait. Elcho Island is a short distance away from the mainland and Howard Island.

Galiwin'ku, located near the island's southern tip, is the main community on the island. It is the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, the second largest Aboriginal community (in terms of concentrated population) in the Northern Territory, and ranks eleventh in population of the 69 local government bodies in the Territory. There are a large number of tribal groups, with up to 22 different dialects being used in the community. The people of Galiwin'ku retain their tradition and culture for future generations by strict traditional methods, and through education, embrace the wider Australian community.

The island is home to the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, with approximately 2,000 residents living in the main settlement of Galiwin'ku and across many outstations including Matamata, Ingliss Island, Maparru, and Gariyak. The island has a base population of 2,200 people, including 70 non-Aboriginal people. It is the home of the Aboriginal folk musician

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

. The population of Galiwin'ku varies during the seasons, with many outstation residents migrating to the community during the wet season due to inaccessibility. The community also serves approximately 25 outstations with a total population of approx. 450 people. Forty-eight per cent of the population is under 20 years of age, with 7% over 50.

Galiwin'ku is a traditional Aboriginal community with restricted access; permission to visit is required by law. The settlement was originally established as a Methodist mission in 1942, with the arrival of Harold Shepherdson, a lay associate of the Methodist Overseas Mission from Milingimbi. It remained under Church direction until 1974 when it became self-managed. Eighteen connected clan groups within the Elcho Island locale have close cultural ties with mainland Arnhem Land clans and language groups. The most commonly spoken languages are Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu (both Yolngu Matha languages). However, there are at least twelve more languages in use in the region.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Some of the Aborginial Health Workers from the Clinic were out at sunset by the water with their husbands when they saw me on the balcony at home. They are so generous and kind an their company so pleasurable, that Cathy and I went down to the water's edge to join them.

According to the youth on the isalnd, Saturday Night in Galinwin'ku means that the "Disco is on....!!!" Many local children attended the Saturday night "Disco" which was held in the Basketball court/area in middle camp.

The children and youth danced and performed on the centre court under the night sky and a canopy of stars. They moved with such freedom, confidence and rhythm.

Unfortunatetly you can not see clearly their beautiful expressions and adorable faces. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our home on Elcho Island from the beach (above) and (below) more beautiful cherubs from the island.

Unfortunately my photos are too dark and obscure to identify the characteristics of their faces. But anyone who meets the children falls in lvoe with them. they are so pure and inncoent. Uncontrollable at times and cheeky, but I attribute that to their free spirit.

Nalkanbuy Health Centre

Nalkanbuy Health Centre and some of the Yolngu health workers and Balandas.
http://www.teaching.nt.gov.au/remote_schools/galiwinku.html
http://www.ntgpe.org/communityprofiles/remotecentres/nalkanbuy.html

Remote impressions

In this period I am working and living on Elcho Island off the coast of Arhnem Land, Northern Territory. Living amongst the Indigenous Communtiy on Elcho Island, working in Ngalkanbuy Health Clinic and sharing my experiences and expressions with Cathy

It is an amazing, humbling and moving experience.

I am currently writing whilst seated on the front vernadah. Around me I can hear the sound of circadas and the gentle rustling of leaves. It is very hot and humid so most people are either sitting under the shade of trees or fishning. On the red dirt path in front, some children occassionally wander or cycle past the house.

The house is an elevated weatherboard 'Queenslander' which overlooks the ocean and is positioned next to the Health Clinic. The garden surrounding the house is lush. At the front we have a frangipani tree in full bloom and a huge coconut tree in the back garden.

I am living in a semi detached weatherboard house with Cathy; her partner Jelko and Mermaid his beautiful daughter; Michelle the Health Clinic's Nurse Manager; Mark her partner; and their blue heeler 'Elcho'. Our home is full of activity, clutter, noise and love.

The Youlanda people inspire me. They live simply and happily on this beautiful, isolated and barren island without contemporary comforts and technology. What they have they share and their focus is family and relationships.

As remote nurse on this Island you work very independently and have the responsibilites of a doctor and a nurse. Initally I found this concept challenging, but after the the first week here, I am aware of my professional boundaries and confident in the experience, knowledge and insights of the health team I work with. As at home my aim is to work within my capabilites, preserve human life, respect individuality and strive to deliver excellence in medico-nursing care.

This weekend I am on-call for the Health Clinic. This means that I have to attend any individuals that attend the clinic for medical advice or treatment. Yesterday we recalled a community elder who had presented to the clinic the night before with right side chest pain. On examination it was evdient that this man was having an acute antroseptal myocardial infarct. After the intial assessment and stabilisation of his condition I contacted the nearest hospital "Gove Hospital" and faxed his cardiograph illustrating the infarct. The cardiologists at Darwin Hospital were contacted and they confirmed the severity of his condition. Transfer to Darwin Hospital's Coronary Care Unit was arranged and until the flight arrived I had to monitor his condition in the Health Clinic. Six hours later Cathy and I transported him to the airstrip for emergency aeromedical transport. There were about 80 people at the airstrip to farewell him and wish him luck. The community and his family had stayed close to him throughout his stay in the Clinic. They even prayed over him. It was a moving experience and very humbling.

From a medical perspective it was interesting that this 54 yr old man had minimal risk factors (heavy smoker) and possibly some undiagnosed medical conditions (high cholestrol, high blood pressure and Type 2 Diabetes). Additionally he did not display the physiological changes that are typical for patents having an acute infarct. He had no diaphoresis, cardiovascular compromise, arrhythmmia, pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath.

Throughout my time at the Clinic, Michelle and Cathy supported me. Visiting me with cups of cofee, bought me toasted bacon and egg sandwiches, macadamia nuts. Cathy also purchased a treat for me to help me unwind today. She bought a large canvas, a full set of primary paints and brushes. I was so excited I felt as though it was Christmas!

Anyway, it is time for Ginger Beer and chips on the verandah at sunset. The storm sounds as though it is coming so hopefully some of the heat from the day will dissipate.

Until later
Love Jules

Jules today

Anticipation...flight to Elcho Island, NT for the Remote Area Health Corps.

Elcho Island