2022 IN REVIEW - GARNGI RANGERS and CROKER ISLAND

 

Hi again

It was Easter when I started writing this blog. We had a few days of unseasonal rain - a tropical low formed just north east of us. 

16 April - We now know the low that dropped a heap of rain here over Easter moved along the coast to WA forming into cyclone Ilsa. It crossed the coast near Port Headland as a category 5 cyclone, wiping out the Pardoo Roadhouse. Just before crossing the coast, it tracked over Bedout Island where the BOM has an automatic weather station. It measured a wind gust at 289 kms/hour before the equipment broke. These big cyclones have seriously scary energy and power. 

Below is a photo of a part of the Croker coast near the airport - no trick photograph or filters.

We were to have groups of people flying into Minjilang for Easter from Maningrida, Warrawi (Goulburn Island) and Jabiru (in Kakadu National Park). Unfortunately the rain from the low pressure mentioned above caused those plans to be cancelled. 

A couple of our rangers also got caught in Darwin over Easter due to the weather and resultant cancelled flights.

This late rain has filled up the floodplain again. 

Today (Thursday, 20 April) Nancy and Laura flew up to Darwin from Brisbane, and I flew in from Minjilang. Jayson will join us from Tindal near Katherine tomorrow to celebrate Noah's first birthday. Well, his birthday was on 12 April however he was visiting Kristy's family in Geelong. Saturday will be for all the NT family and friends. 

Below the Noah receiving another present. He is such a blessing! 

Final approach to runway 11 in Darwin. The RAAF provides the air traffic control here. This airport services a very wide variety of aircraft - from slow light aircraft to high speed military fighters, and everything in between. This makes it quite a complicated airspace to manage. 

The Cessna 208 I flew from Croker Island in, only uses about 500 metres of the available 3500 metres.

Below is a short video showing the rangers, some of the senior traditional owners and some of the country and sea where we work. Hope you enjoy it.

Blessings and stay safe.

Bryan