Garma is an annual event, held at Gulkula, near Nhulunbuy. It is an opportunity for the local Indigenous community to showcase their culture to visitors from far and wide. Many people from overseas attend this 5 day event and have the chance to witness the Bunggul dancing, learn how to make spears, basket weaving and other local traditions.

There are also forums that can be attended, with the key forum for 2009 being “Indigenous Creative Industries – opportunities, culture and knowledge”.

The organising body ‘The Yothu Yindi Foundation’ spearheaded by Dr. Mandawuy Yunupingu (Yothu Yindi Band) requested St John presence at the event and Mandy attended, assisted by Rob, Phil and Bertha. There were also volunteers from Darwin and Melbourne (Nurses) who gave up their time to assist.

More than 40 patients were treated, with 3 being transported to Gove District Hospital by Mandy and transport arranged for 4 less sick patients to be taken to GDH.

It was an interesting duty, at times very hot and dusty, with only cold showers and tents to sleep in.

Article by Mandy P