Yakanarra Report
The ILF crew recently travelled to Yakanarra in the Kimberley to help the school
staff setting up a library which would be shared with community. Karen flew up to
Darwin and was picked up by Deb and Rick Dank, whose contribution was invaluable
undertaking driving, carpentry, photography and many other jobs along the way.
The first night was camping under the stars and about 46 378 mangoes at Kununurra.
We made a quick dash to Wyndham to deliver a wonderful book to St Joseph’s School.
The book, which surely must be one of the longest in Western Australia, was produced
by the children at Marrickville West Primary School on ILD in 2010. All children
and staff at St Joseph’s were so impressed with the thoughtfulness and the amazing
construction of the book. We had the whole school on the basketball courts helping
to unfold the book.
Back on the road, we drove through Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing and then out
to Yakanarra. There we met again the dedicated teaching team working along with
Principal Helen Unwin. We also met Jessie and Ulee and June, all local people doing
great things to support the children and teachers.
Since our last visit, Yakanarra had received books from Christ Church School in
Perth and had been visited by a librarian who had made a great start to getting
the books organised and on shelves. The local Council gave us the use of a house
for the length of our visit and we were ready for work. After two days of moving
and shelving and storing, the library was decorated with the art work of students
and declared ready for use.
ILF will continue to work with Yakanarra community to assist community Elders with
the writing and publishing of a community history book.
We drove out of Yakanarra feeling tired (mostly because we kept waking at 4.00 am)
but so inspired by a dedicated group of family members, local workers and talented
teachers who make up the community, in the truest sense, that is Yakanarra.
Images from the
Yakanarra
Please click for larger view.
Library Before
Library After
Yakanarra Images