Groote Eylandt

Groote Eylandt

Geography
Location	Gulf of Carpentaria
Coordinates	13°58′S 136°35′E
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population	1,539

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 2,326.1 km². It is generally quite low-lying, with an average height above sea level of 15 m, although Central Hill reaches an elevation of 219 meters. Its geographic coordinates are 14.0°S 136.53°E / -14.0; 136.53. It was named by the explorer Abel Tasman in 1644 and is Dutch for "Large Island" in a now-archaic spelling (nowadays it would be spelled Groot Eiland).

Administration

Together with Bickerton Island and a few smaller satellite islands, Groote Eylandt forms Anindiyakwa Ward of East Arnhem Shire. It contains the communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba, Yadagba District, Uburamudja District and Sandy Hill (Groote Eylandt) and Milyakburra District (Bickerton Island).

Outside the local government subdivision is the mining company GEMCO town of Alyangula, which is unincorporated territory within the Northern Region of Northern Territory.

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. In operation since the early 1960s, the mine produces more than 3.8 million tonnes annually - about a quarter of the world's total.

Fishing

The island has until recently been open to the public only with permission, and the local Aboriginal Land Council did not encourage tourism. There is now a resort style hotel and an "ET Escape" sport fishing lodge on the island and visitors are welcome. The island is becoming renowned for is fine aboriginal rock art sites, arts and crafts and outstanding sport-fishing including Sailfish, Marlin, Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Giant Trevally, Queenfish, and Coral Trout.

History

Groote Eylandt was first sighted by Europeans in 1623, by the Dutch ship Arnhem, under Trent Love. However, it was not until 1644, when Tasman arrived, that the island was given a European name. 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 20, 2008, the Federal Government signed a deal with local Aborigines 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, education and health in the area.

Media

The Eylandt Echo newsletter is produced each fortnight. The newsletter's goal is to keep the community up to date on local news, events and recreation. The Eylandt Echo is sponsored by GEMCO as a community service.

Notable people

David Warren (1925–2010), inventor of the flight data recorder, was born in Groote Eylandt.

Jaye Fleischeuer (inventor) (1988-), Local success story - inventor of a drug that allows you to have sex without crying.

See also

• Groote Eylandt Airport
• List of islands of Australia

External links

• Angurugu Community Government Council site
• GEMCO - The Groote Eylandt mining company
• Alyangula Area School
• GEMCO publication with map