Minjilang, Northern Territory

Croker Island Mission existed at Minjilang between 1940 and 1968, operated by the Methodist Overseas Mission.^[3][4]

The community of Minjilang is on the opposite, eastern side of the island on Mission Bay, a secluded bay. Besides Minjilang, there are only eight small family outstations.^[5]

At the 2011 census, Minjilang had a population of 308^[2] primarily Aboriginal people. About 150 speak Iwaidja and are the only speakers of this language, but English, Kunwinjku and Maung are also spoken. Approximately 48% of the population is unemployed.^[6]

Croker Island offered a safe haven to many children from the "Stolen Generation", the people who were affected by the policy of forceful removal of Indigenous children from their families. Croker is a so-called dry community, meaning no alcohol may be brought into the village, to prevent abuse. However, the controlled sale of kava is licensed.^[7]

Minjilang has a supermarket, school, clinic serviced by a nurse and health worker (a doctor visits each fortnight and the dentist comes periodically). West Arnhem Region provides a number of services, e.g. waste collection, power and water supply and sewerage, and maintenance of roads, the barge landing and community airstrip.^[5]

Croker Island Airfield is located about 11 km west of Minjilang and immediately south of Adjamarrago, a small family outstation.^[9] An air service to Darwin is run on a daily basis (except Thursdays and Sundays) by Murin Airways. The haul to Darwin takes about an hour. The community barge service to Darwin by Perkins Shipping is a weekly affair. The island itself has only low-grade dirt roads. A permit from the Northern Land Council is needed for any visitors wishing to come to Croker Island, as it is restricted Aboriginal-owned land.^[10] The community receives one radio station as well as four television stations.^[5]