The Council

The Galiwin'ku Community Inc. is the local government authority responsible for provision of most community services. The Council is comprised of representatives of each clan group that live at Galiwin'ku. The Council pursues policies that reflect pride in Yolngu traditions, culture and the community, together with self-determination, empowerment and local management.

The Council's mission is to deliver services that will provide protection to people and create a healthy environment where residents can enjoy a quality of life and opportunities for self-advancement. The Council also adopts the advocacy role for the community in the wider Australian context.

The Council receives operational grants from Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments. This money helps the Council to pay for supplying the services.

As with many remote communities, the council is responsible for a variety of services. At Galiwin'ku these are:

Ngalkanbuy Health Centre - Clinic and medical services

Housing - Community and Council houses

Essential Services - Power, water supply and reticulation, sewerage pumping, reticulation and disposal, maintain airport ground

Civil Works - Maintain roads, airport, rubbish collection and disposal

Galiwin'ku Workshop - Services all Council and community vehicles, maintains all heavy machinery used by Council

Sport and Recreation and Youth Programs - Promotes and encourages sporting programs, facilites, drop-in centre, youth development program

CDEP - CDEP employs approx. 180 staff working in many areas including Dhambala outstation, knowledge centre, youth programs, community bus, farm, fishing, sewing centre, housing, mechanics, essential services, civil works, rubbish collection, art centre, childcare, security, aged care programs, health clinic and health programs, women's centre, landscaping, oval maintenace, rubbish pick-up and parks and gardens.

Women's Resource Centre - Set up to assist families, children and individuals grow in a safe place, supportive environment where cultural diversity is recognised and valued.

Elcho Island Art & Craft Centre - Promotion and sales of local art and crafts. Organised tour groups during the dry season are popular. Encouraging local people to pursue their dreams through art and craft

Galiwin'ku Indigenous Knowledge Centre - Indigenous library that relates to cultural understanding, community memory, retention of stories, relationships to land, education and economic development

Yalu Marngithinyaraw - meaning Nurturing Centre - set up to support families to become strong and healthy. Reinforcing life skills

The Council employs up to 200 people (including CDEP) and is incorporated as a Community Council under the Associations Incorporation Act. It derives powers and duties from the NT Local Government Act.

The Council experienced financial and managerial difficulties in the early 1990's but has since been able to consolidate its fiscal and operational position through strong leadership, improved management practices and a commitment of the community to development.

A new Constitution was adopted at the Annual General Meeting in January 1997, which establishes guidelines for the operation of the Council and appointment of Council Members. The Council is actively engaged in future planning and is striving towards self-management.

Strong emphasis is placed on training Yolngu people - skills development as well as general community education.

Several major projects are currently underway in the community including a NAHS, ATSIC funded housing projects that will increase the number of community houses, road upgrading, improving arts and crafts centre operations, community health promotions, mental health project, staff training and capacity building.

In consultation with local communities, the Northern Territory Liquor Commission has drafted laws to assist Aboriginal communities to combat problems associated with alcohol abuse. Elcho Island is a 'dry' community where alcohol is not permitted. It is an offence under NT Legislation to import or possess alcohol or any other prohibited substances in the community.

Council Meetings

The Council meet regularly once a month on the third Wednesday. The meetings are open, which means that people may attend the meeting if they want to. Guests and visitors are welcome to give presentations to Council on the day, giving prior notice of their agenda item(s) to the CEO in writing.

The Chairman of the Council may call a special meeting. The Chairman must give at least 2-days notice before calling a special meeting.

At any meeting the Council must keep a record of what happened, these are called the Minutes of the meeting. Resolutions (decisions) of the meetings are recorded in a Resolution Book which is kept in a safe place at all times.

In order to make decisions a certain number of members must be present, this is called a quorum. A majority of members in office are needed to make a decision.

The Minutes of the Council Meetings and Resolutions of Council are available for inspection through the Chief Executive Officer at the Council office.