Kimberley Assessment Trip

ACNA Assessors, Rarni and Heidi, embarked on an epic assessment trip through Western Australia. Driving over 1400km’s, they assessed clients within communities, their homes and at the community centres.

Seeing some beautiful sights outback Australia has to offer, and meeting wonderful people along the way, they documented some highlights from their trip.

Where it started

The amazing coastline of Broome and Broome Town was the first thing to be seen, along with assessments for clients in that area.

According to the local Indigenous people, the name "One Arm Point" originated from the tale of an unfortunate pearler who had an accident with dynamite while attempting to catch fish using explosives in the bay. One Arm Point is a three hour drive north of Broome at the top of the Dampier Peninsula, and has a population 365. 

The road is strictly four-wheel drive only. You can take tours of the hatchery and see a working aquaculture centre, with a range of local art and artefacts on sale. Beautiful locally carved trochus shells and jewellery can be purchased, which only the local Aboriginal people are allowed to collect.

This traditional Aboriginal community has embraced tourism, and there is the opportunity to enjoy camping and local tours with community members at many of the outstations surrounding the community. Local experts are passionate about sharing their knowledge on how to catch juicy mud crabs, trap fish and live off the local bush foods. Try your hand at fishing; though be aware the northern waters are a crocodile habitat!

Arriving to sealed roads was a welcome change from the long dirt road drive. The community centre was the office for the morning, and having arrived on the school carnival day, all of our clients were collected from the school and brought into the centre for their assessments and morning tea. 

The Looma Aboriginal community was originally built as accommodation for the Aboriginal stockmen and their families who worked on the Camballin and Liveringa Stations during the late 1950s and 1960s. It was one of the first communities of its kind in Australia. A second community, "New Looma", was built approximately 2 km south, after splinter groups within the community had to move due to infighting. Consequently, a new community was formed with new roads, housing and water supply installed. The old community remained as is.

The Fitzroy Valley is home to five language groups – the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Nyikina, Wangkatjunka and Walmajarri, each with their own distinctive language and customs. 

Aboriginal art and culture is strong in the area, with several galleries open to visitors.  Fitzroy Crossing is a 4 ½ hour drive from Broome, and sits 391 kilometres east of Broome and 647 kilometres west of Kununurra. Fitzroy Crossing is one of only two towns along the over 1000 km stretch of highway between Broome and Kununurra. It lies on the fertile floodplains of the Fitzroy River. It is downriver from the striking Geikie Gorge National Park and south of the ancient canyons and caves of Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, where you can spot native wildlife in abundance. 

During its lifetime Marra Worra Worra has been a driving force in helping Aboriginal people return to their country to live in independent communities.

This is reflected in the ever increasing numbers of communities serviced by Marra Worra Worra over the years, from the original seven, that became seven in 1978, twenty by 1984, thirty five by 1992 and over forty by 2012.