Robinson River Katherine Region Community Profile Pronunciation: 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 Robinson River NT region: Barkly Population: Approximately 285 Access: Road, in dry season only, and air from Borroloola Language groups: Garawa Climate (Barkly) 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 Fine weather with no rain and the possibility of getting overnight in winter. Please ensure you quite cold by Territory standards during June / July. are equipped for these extremes. Spring (Sept-Nov) and autumn (Mar-May) in Central Humidity Range 20% - 50%. 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 Central Australia has a semi-arid climate. In the summer in summer. Please ensure you are months, the days are generally hot, sometimes very hot. equipped for these extremes. If rain is to fall, it is more likely in the summer months, Humidity Range 30% - 85%. which may lead to road closures. 1 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region History Changes in population: Population figures are estimates, as several factors Robinson River historically and today impact on movement. These include is a working cattle station. In 1980, the seasonal changes and ceremonial local Garawa people, whom largely activity. resided in Borroloola, aided by the Aboriginal Development Committee How is it affected by seasons: began working on a land claim on Robinson River is usually cut off during the Robinson River region. The Land the wet season. There are several river Claim was successful in 1992 and and creek crossings that flood the area. the Garawa people were handed Major landmarks or cultural factors: back the Robinson River Station and Caranbirini Conservation Reserve and surrounding region. Today, the Garawa Savannah Way. people are the owners and operators Local industry/mine: Orchard, of the Robinson River Station. market garden, cattle and horses, ... historically and today is a goats, chickens and turkeys. Tourism: Community fishing working cattle station. competition happens annually over the Easter long weekend. There is also Community Life a mustering school when scheduled. Description of community: Robinson Arts/crafts: Local Women’s Centre River was formerly part of the produces paintings, beads and other Robinson River Station. crafts. Roper Gulf Regional Council provides **Please check with the health clinic a range of Local Government on arrival for sacred sites to avoid services in Daly Waters Night Patrol and health or social issues to be and Remote Jobs for Community aware of. 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. 2 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region Governance Local Government Roper Gulf Regional Council Telephone (08) 8975 8762 Web www.ropergulf.nt.gov.au Community or other Mungoorbada Aboriginal Corporation Telephone (08) 8975 9791 governance structures 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 Lubba Lubba Lodge Telephone (08) 8975 9796 accommodation 3 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region 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 Air North flies daily from Darwin to McArthur River Mine. Robinson River is then a 3 hour transport 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 Territory ³ Approximate travel time one-way 4 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region 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 PCIS System4 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 4 Training should be arranged before your arrival in the community 5 | Remote Area Health Corps I Community Profile: Robinson River, Katherine Region 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