By Paul Wright, District Geologist, WA Proterozoic

Eight men and women from the arnngurr and Punmu Communities gathered together in Telfer during mid-September to represent the Martu people in an thnographic survey carried out in the sand dune country 40km southeast of Telfer. The survey was undertaken to assist he Regional Exploration group to heritage clear parts of this area for planned exploration activities.

The 13-member eam of Martu representatives, together with anthropologists Nic Green, Kyoto Metz and three Regional Exploration embers, spent four days driving and walking the sand dunes corridors where work is planned. Remote Camps Australia here the group could relax, talk and sleep under the magnificently clear night skies of the Great Sandy Desert. The xploration guys were educated on finding bush tucker with several lizards, goannas and witchetty grubs being added to he menu. Despite the long days and considerable distances walked, there were plenty of jokes and laughter throughout he survey and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The Regional Exploration group would like to thank the participants or their time and patience during the survey and would also like to thank Leon Van Erp and his team, particularly indsey and Kevin, for their assistance in organising the survey. Photos by Kyoko Metz, reproduced with courtesy of LAC and the Martu.

Garnduwa a shining light amidst social gloom In this time of terrible strife for many members of the Indigenous community at Fitzroy Crossing, it was clear the Garnduwa Festival was a shining light amidst a pall of widespread social despair. A recently-imposed ban on the sale of take-away full-strength beer, and a pending visit by the State Coroner to nvestigate 22 suicides in the community in the recent past were clear testament to the fact that much was not right in he Fitzroy Valley. But, there were signs too, that some things were near-perfect, and they were clearly symbolised by he magnificent glow of the bright spotlights shining on the sports oval.

There’s a lot of bad stuff going on, but there’s also a lot of good stuff happening,” said Geoff Davis (above), a highly- respected member of the community, who has been a leading light associated with the Garnduwa Festival since its inception in 1992. “This community is trying to stand up for itself, and heal itself,” Geoff said. “A group of older members of our community, the ‘red-shirts’, are having an impact and starting to be effective in restoring authority and respect for the Elders.” The Garnduwa Festival, which Newcrest co-sponsors, is indeed another shining light. This year,it drew 14 football teams, and almost as many girls’ basketball teams. They played a series of round-robin games, through the day (when ambient temperatures approached the mid- 400C) and into the night. And, they played determinedly, and fair, in front of hundreds of family, friends, and sports- lovers. But, there was more: A formal “smoking ceremony” to welcome participants and visitors; a festival of bands played a range of music, all of which would appeal to some; Andy the Clown, who enthralled the kids until he could stand on his stilts no longer, and who even managed to visit the hospital. All this fun, with not a single can of grog in sight. Sport brings hope...