Supporting and protecting Kalkaringi and Daguragu communities

The wellbeing and long-term financial stability of remote Indigenous communities is at risk because of the coronavirus pandemic.

And for this reason the Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) in the Northern Territory, welcomes the recent government support packages.

GAC is an enterprise owned by the communities of Kalkaringi and Daguragu, which have a total population of approximately 700 people of mainly Gurindji, Mudburra and Walpiri heritage.

GAC Coordinator and spokesperson, Rob Roy, said the packages have helped the corporation quickly adapt to the crisis.

‘[They are] keeping our economy strong and our people employed, and most importantly supporting health agencies keep our mob safe,’ Rob said.

‘This has been a tough time but the community has really pulled together, and government support will help us come out stronger on the other side.’

GAC has adopted all government-mandated regulations to stop the spread of the disease including travel restrictions.

It has formed a Local Emergency Management Committee, facilitated by Kalkaringi Police, and with representatives from Katherine West Health Board, Vic Daly Council, Kalkaringi School, GAC and other key stakeholders.

It has taken measures to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the communities in general and the many community owned enterprises.

These enterprises include the Kalkaringi Store and Caravan Park that supplies food, fuel and essential products to the community and is the only store within a 100km radius.

The pandemic was a threat to the continual supply of food and products through the lock out but the store quickly adapted by increasing stock-levels and working with freight companies to guarantee ongoing supply. 

Another enterprise is Gurindji Construction & Maintenance that provides essential maintenance of community infrastructure, housing, power and water supply on a day-to-day basis. It also delivers major contracts for the Northern Territory Government and currently has a contract to upgrade 20 community and government employee houses.

In total,  GAC employs more than 30 community members.

Phil Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of GAC.

‘Keeping them fully employed during this crisis is not easy but doing so is critical to the many families reliant on their wages. The wages have a flow on effect that benefits the whole community,’ Phil said.

‘No employees have been laid off and we expect this to be the case through this crisis and beyond.’

‘Government support packages have helped not only GAC, but key health service providers, through this crisis. GAC has access to the JobKeeper program which has helped through the period where our contracts and programs were either suspended or cancelled.’

‘We’ve also been able to access some professional guidance from the IBA [Indigenous Business Australia] and will continue to engage with them in the coming months as we continue to adapt and recover from the COVID crisis.’