Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Hansard source

I was pleased to be able to visit leaders in Galiwin'ku in far north-east Arnhem Land earlier this year with Senator Jenny McAllister and Marion Scrymgour MP to listen to the community about the important work being done to keep women and children safe. Ten years in the making, the Galiwin'ku Women's Space finally opened their family, domestic and sexual violence crisis accommodation earlier this month. This started with grassroots conversations by Yolngu women about the need to have a safe house for women and children on the island community. It is a huge achievement by and for the amazing community, and it's well worth celebrating.

I would like to congratulate all those people and groups involved in making this happen—in particular, Bettina Danganbarr. Before the women's space opened, Bettina used to open her home as a shelter for women and children who had nowhere to go. It's beautiful to see that her efforts have led to pretty important achievements for the whole community. I would like to give a shout-out to the women involved at the Galiwin'ku Women's Space: Marilyn Djolu, Djanumbi Marika, Djandi Ganambarr, Joan Malku, Yenhu Gurruwiwi, Suzanne Hume, Joy Mundhu, Tasma Yunipiyu, Margaret Gudurrkuwuy, Tanya Lakawuy and many, many others. To all of you over there on the island, thank you for the work that you're doing with all of the families—not only in Galiwinku but also in the surrounding communities. They are much interlinked with the Yolngu clans. We have Ramingining and Milingimbi, and of course Gapuwiyak and the nearby town of Nhulunbuy, where there are incredibly strong link for the Yolngu families and the clan groups. Well done, ladies.