Katherine Region - RAHC · 4 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River,...

Robinson RiverKatherine Region

Climate (Barkly)

Community ProfilePronunciation: Robinson River

Alternate names: Mungoobada

Location: 150km south-east of Borroloola, near Queensland border. 50kms off the Savannah Way. 800km north-east of Tennant Creek

NT region: Barkly

Population: Approximately 285

Access: Road, in dry season only, and air from Borroloola

Language groups: Garawa

Season Description Temp. Range

Winter dry season (June to August) Cooler and dry 8°C to 23°C

The temperature can drop below 0°C overnight in winter. Please ensure you are equipped for these extremes. Humidity Range 20% - 50%.

Fine weather with no rain and the possibility of getting quite cold by Territory standards during June / July. Spring (Sept-Nov) and autumn (Mar-May) in Central Australia see warm days and cool evenings.

Summer wet season (December to February) Hot and humid 20°C to 37°C

The temperature can rise above 40⁰C in summer. Please ensure you are equipped for these extremes. Humidity Range 30% - 85%.

Central Australia has a semi-arid climate. In the summer months, the days are generally hot, sometimes very hot. If rain is to fall, it is more likely in the summer months, which may lead to road closures.

Robinson River

1 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region

HistoryRobinson River historically and today is a working cattle station. In 1980, the local Garawa people, whom largely resided in Borroloola, aided by the Aboriginal Development Committee began working on a land claim on the Robinson River region. The Land Claim was successful in 1992 and the Garawa people were handed back the Robinson River Station and surrounding region. Today, the Garawa people are the owners and operators of the Robinson River Station.

... historically and today is a working cattle station.

Community LifeDescription of community: Robinson River was formerly part of the Robinson River Station.

Roper Gulf Regional Council provides a range of Local Government services in Daly Waters Night Patrol and Remote Jobs for Community People (RJCP) on behalf of another Government Organisation.

The Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation is responsible for other services including, but not limited to Rubbish collection services, cemetery management, traffic management, companion animal management airstrip, the cattle station and the upkeep of parks and gardens.

Changes in population: Population figures are estimates, as several factors impact on movement. These include seasonal changes and ceremonial activity.

How is it affected by seasons: Robinson River is usually cut off during the wet season. There are several river and creek crossings that flood the area.

Major landmarks or cultural factors: Caranbirini Conservation Reserve and Savannah Way.

Local industry/mine: Orchard, market garden, cattle and horses, goats, chickens and turkeys.

Tourism: Community fishing competition happens annually over the Easter long weekend. There is also a mustering school when scheduled.

Arts/crafts: Local Women’s Centre produces paintings, beads and other crafts.

**Please check with the health clinic on arrival for sacred sites to avoid and health or social issues to be aware of.



Governance

Local Government Roper Gulf Regional Council Telephone (08) 8975 8762 Web www.ropergulf.nt.gov.au

Community or other governance structures

Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation Telephone (08) 8975 9791

Northern Land Council Telephone (08) 8921 5100

Web www.nlc.org.au

Outstations 7 Emu, Manangoora, Wandigula These are only serviced by the clinic in an emergency

Permit All visitors require a permit from Northern Land Council

Infrastructure, facilities and services

Community Church: Borroloola

Community halls or sheds: None. Community meetings and discos are held at the shire office

Work force skills or training facilities: At the Centrelink office and Savannah Gulf Office. There is also much more in Borroloola

Post Office: Shire Office

• Opening hours Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Library: Closest is in Borroloola

School: Pre-school through to Secondary (middle years)

Council office: Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation

Women’s Centre: Yes

Child Care centre: Creche is available

Aged Care Centre: Closest is in Borroloola

Community store Robinson River Store : Telephone (08) 8975 9792

Store owned and managed by Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA). The store is well stocked. Fresh food available

It is advisable to bring in any specialty products/items required

• Opening hours Monday to Sunday 9am – 12pm and 2pm – 5pm

Other food outlets There is a takeaway attached to the community store

Food orders Food orders must be placed by Thursday night and needs to be phoned through to Pandion Haulage. This will arrive the following Thursday in Borroloola, then sent on to Robinson River. These orders come from Woolworths in Darwin

Woolworths Darwin: Telephone (08) 8919 8308

Pandion Haulage: Telephone (08) 8947 4040

Web http://www.pandionhaulage.com.au/schedule

Recreational facilities Football oval, basketball half court, fishing, softball and soccer matches happen during the dry season

Commercial accommodation

Lubba Lubba Lodge Telephone (08) 8975 9796


Fuel Unleaded and Diesel fuel is available from the community store. You must have fuel card to purchase fuel

Mechanic There is a workshop with resident mechanic

Police station At Borroloola Telephone (08) 8975 8770

Alt. police contact Emergency only Telephone 000

Other Community Night Patrol provided by Council Telephone Check with clinic

Telephone/internet/mail

Mobile phone¹ No mobile phone service in the region

Internet Internet access is available at the Health centre for reasonable personal use

Other Landlines in accommodation

Alcohol

Alcohol² The community has alcohol restrictions so alcohol should not be carried in. For more details contact Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation on (08) 8975 9791

Access

Road3 Borroloola (2.5 hours): The community can be accessed via 4WD during the dry season only. During the wet season, access to the community is cut off

Katherine (10 hours): By road, the trip to Robinson River takes approximately 10 hours from Katherine. The double lane Stuart Highway is sealed the entire way. At Daly Waters, the Carpentaria Highway must be followed to Borroloola. This is a single lane Highway. The raining 150 km is dirt road. It is recommend to travel in a 4WD

Tennant Creek (6-7 hours): Barkly Highway, Tablelands Highway to Borroloola, then unsealed road to Robinson River

Air Facilities: There is a sealed, all weather airstrip near the community that can become cut off from the community during wet season

Borroloola (20 minutes): Charters or Doctors Plane

Regular passenger transport

Air North flies daily from Darwin to McArthur River Mine. Robinson River is then a 3 hour drive

Health Centre

Health service Department of Health (DoH) Telephone (08) 8975 9985 Web www.health.nt.gov.au

Email [email protected]

¹ Telstra 3G/Next G are typically the only mobile services that work in more remote parts of the Northern Territory. See link - http://telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/coverage-networks/our-coverage/² It is an offence to consume or bring alcohol into a dry community in the Northern Territory³ Approximate travel time one-way


4 Training should be arranged before your arrival in the community

Staff • Manager 1 (and RAN)• Remote Area Nurses 1• Medical Practitioners 1 (visits on Wednesday)• Aboriginal Health Workers 1• Aboriginal Community Worker 0• Administration Officers 1• Drivers/Gardeners/Cleaners 1• Other. -

Facilities Two treatment rooms and an emergency room

Operating hours Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

On call From 5pm Monday to 8am Friday, and alternate weekends from 5pm Friday to 8am Monday

Services Currently has midwife on site and only scheduled visiting services

Medical Records System4

PCIS

Vehicles The Health Centre maintains a Toyota Troop Carrier that has been converted for use as an ambulance

**Note: All Troop Carriers are 4WD, manual and take diesel fuel

GP None. Attends from Borroloola on Wednesdays

Visiting services • Preventable Chronic Disease Public Health Nurse• Optometrist• Women’s Health Educator• Maternal, Child & Youth Health Team• Audiologist• Diabetic eye screening• Palliative care• Mental health• Sexual health • Dietitian.

Acute care A Remote Medical Practitioner is on call 24 hours via Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) telephone consultations and evacuations. Emergency evacuations can be made to Darwin via Care Flight air ambulance

Other Pregnant women birth in Katherine or Darwin

Accommodation

Accommodation Two bedroom, free standing house

**Note: Sharing of facilities may be required

Facilities Washing machine and dryer, queen size bed and two single beds, air conditioner. Fully equipped

Linen Provided


rahc.com.au 1300 697 242

Canberra OfficeSuite 17J, Level 1, 2 King St, Deakin ACT 2600T 02 6203 9588 F 02 6203 9598

Darwin OfficeLevel 4, Darwin Central Offices, 21 Knuckey Street, Darwin NT 0800T 08 8942 1650 F 08 8942 1676

Vehicles

Vehicle No vehicle is provided for personal use

Policy NT DoH has a strict policy on vehicle use. Any non-clinical use is not acceptable

What to pack for placement

Clothes Possibility of cool nights in middle of year, so light warm clothing is useful. In wet season (October – April), clothing for very hot, humid days – loose cotton clothing

Please refer to this website for information on appropriate clothing to wear whilst out in a community

http://ntgpe.org/wp_site/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Appropriate-Clothing-2.pdf

Supplies Bring any specialty foods and a small quantity of fresh food

**Note: Please be mindful of weight restrictions on plane travel

Personal effects Bring a hat, sturdy shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and toiletries

Other tips or relevant information

Other tips/relevant information

Be prepared for variable standard of accommodation in communities. A sleeping bag sheet insert is a good idea for protection against biting insects

Disclaimer

This information is prepared in good faith and to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. However, Aboriginal communities, like any community, can change as the population shifts and people move on. Please contact the RAHC Regional Coordinator or the Health Centre Manager to confirm any key issues or concerns you may have ahead of your RAHC placement. RAHC also values any input and up to date information or photos you can provide to improve our Community Profiles.


Katherine Region - RAHC · 4 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River,...

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