The Aputula Community at Finke is located in the South Eastern corner of the Northern Territory and is situated beside the old Ghan railway line. Southern Arrente and Pitjantjatjara speakers live in the small town. The name Aputula comes from the water site near the community called 'Putula', which used to be the site of a water soakage.
Putula is an Arrernte word. Old Arrernte people used to get their water from there a long time ago, before the white people and the railway line came to the area. The name of today's community, Aputula, comes from that word. Anangu put the 'a' on the front to make it easier for the white people who couldn't say it the proper way.

The Aputula Uniting Church congregation is part of the Ananguku Area Ministry Council which is part of the Northern Regional Council of Congress. Local church elders take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the congregation.

Contact:

Support Worker - Ananguku Area Ministry Council
Rev Peter Greenwood
Ananguku Area Ministry Council Office

P.O. Box 2798, Alice Springs, NT 0871
Tel: (08) 89 53 7507
email: peter.greenwood@ns.uca.org.au

The community of Galiwin'ku lies on Elcho Island which is an island off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. It is located at the southern end of the Wessel Islands group located in the East Arnhem Region.
Elcho Island is approximately 55 km long and 6 km across at its widest point. It is bounded on the western side by the Arafura Sea and on the east by the Cadell Strait. Elcho Island is a short distance away from the mainland and Howard Island.

Galiwin'ku, located near the island's southern tip, is the main community on the island. It is the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, the second largest Aboriginal community (in terms of concentrated population) in the Northern Territory, and ranks eleventh in population of the 69 local government bodies in the Territory. There are a large number of tribal groups, with up to 22 different dialects being used in the community. The people of Galiwin'ku retain their tradition and culture for future generations by strict traditional methods.

The island is home to the largest Aboriginal community in northeast Arnhem Land, with approximately 2,000 residents living in the main settlement of Galiwin'ku and across many outstations including Matamata, Ingliss Island, Maparru, and Gariyak. The island has a base population of 2,200 people, including 70 non-Aboriginal people. It is the home of the Aboriginal folk musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. The population of Galiwin'ku varies during the seasons, with many outstation residents migrating to the community during the wet season due to inaccessibility. The community also serves approximately 25 outstations with a total population of approx. 450 people. Forty-eight per cent of the population is under 20 years of age, with 7% over 50.

The settlement was originally established as a Methodist mission in 1942, with the arrival of Harold Shepherdson, a lay associate of the Methodist Overseas Mission from Milingimbi. It remained under Church direction until 1974 when it became self-managed. Eighteen connected clan groups within the Elcho Island locale have close cultural ties with mainland Arnhem Land clans and language groups. The most commonly spoken languages are Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu (both Yolngu Matha languages). However, there are at least twelve more languages in use in the region.

Key Features and Activities:

• Established in 1942 from Milingimbi by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM).
• Well-known as the place of ‘Spiritual Renewal' movement in Arnhem Land (1979) - an annual Thanksgiving Weekend is held each March to celebrate. 
• 17 different Yolngu clan groups are present. Main language spoken is Djambarrpuyngu. 
• A congregation of NRCC since 1986, and part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council. 
• Congregation members are key people in the life of their local clan/nation and also within the community in the fields of language, land rights and the work of the local council. 
• A locally-based Bible Translation Centre resources the congregation and surrounding communities with various translated materials in various Yolngu dialects.
  

Contact

Rev. Rronang Garrawurra - NRCC Teacher. Tel: 0488 688 616
or C/- Galinwin'ku Bible Translation Centre - Te: (08) 8987 9075

C/- Galinwin'ku Bible Translation Centre - Tel (08) 8987 9075
Chairperson, Galiwin'ku Congregation,
c/- Galiwin'ku Community via DARWIN, NT 0822.

The township of Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella) is located in Arnhem Land about 500 km east of Darwin and 12 km south-east of the mining town of Nhulunbuy. It has a population of approx. 700 people (inclusive of 8 associated homeland communities). Has good ‘dry-season' road access to the major population centres of Nhulunbuy and Katherine.

Key Features and Activities:

Originally established in 1969 by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM) as an outpost from Elcho Island mission. Sawmilling of native cypress pine was one of the major industries.

• Main languages spoken are Dhalwangu (and other Yolngu clan dialects).
• A local leadership team is supported by occasional visits by ministry teams from nearby Galiwin'ku. 
• Part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council.
  

Contact

Chairperson, Gapuwiyak Congregation
Mr Timothy Wanamayku
c/- Gapuwiyak Community via DARWIN NT 0822
Tel: (08) 8987 9104

Langarra Homeland is situated in Arnhem Land and is the home of one of the Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC) National Elders, Rev Walirr Garrawurra. There is a small NRCC congregation who are also part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council.

Contact:

Rev Walirr Garrawurra & Mr Harry Bariya Garrawurra
Contact with Langarra congregation can be made via the NRCC Office in Darwin on Tel: (08) 89 82 3400

Maningrida is a self-governing Indigenous community in the heart of the Arnhem Land region of Australia's Northern Territory. Maningrida is located 500 km east of Darwin and 300 km north east of Jabiru. It is on the North Central Arnhem Land coast of the Arafura Sea, on the estuary of the Liverpool River. The Kunibídji people are the traditional landowners of this country. The name Maningrida is an Anglicised version of the Kunibídji name Manayingkarírra, which comes from the phrase Mane djang karirra, meaning "the place where the Dreaming changed shape." The town supports a population of 2,600 people, which includes those who live on the 30 homeland centres or outstations around Maningrida.

Key Features and Activities:

• Established in 1957 as a government settlement.
• Comprises a wide variety of clan and language groups some of whom are linked to the Yolngu-speaking communities of Ramingining and Milingimbi, while others are connected to the West Arnhem communities of Warruwi and Gunbalanya. 
• Main languages spoken are Ndjebenna, Burrara, Kunjwinjku, and Djinang. 
• Part of the West Arnhem Area Ministry Council.
  

Contact:

Mr David Murrwana
Community Minister,
c/- Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, Maningrida via Darwin NT 0822
Tel: (08) 8979 5934

Milingimbi is an island off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. It is located approximately 500 km east of Darwin and 250 km west of Nhulunbuy. Its largest community is also called Milingimbi. The island is approximately half a kilometer off the mainland and forms part of the Crocodile Island Group.

The Methodist Overseas Mission established Milingimbi in 1923. Most residents are Yolngu Indigenous Australians. The two main languages are Gupapuy©¯u and Djambarrpuy©¯u, although several other languages are also spoken at Milingimbi. English is a second language for almost all Aboriginal residents of Milingimbi.

The Island has its own airfield and Milingimbi is a site of the Bureau of Meteorology weather station. The noted didgeridoo maker and player Djalu Gurruwiwi was born at Milingimbi.

The name Milingimbi is probably Djina©¯ in origin; it is Mili©¯inbi, literally 'the place where the well is'. The island originally belonged to several Yan-nha©¯u speaking clans.

Key Features and Activities:

• First mission to be established by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM) amongst the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land (1925). Used as RAAF base during World War II.
• Main languages spoken are Gupapuyngu and Djambarrpuyngu 
• Linguistic work conducted by Beulah Lowe (MOM 1950-78) has formed the basis for all subsequent language-based education, community development and theological training. 
• Part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council. Regular fellowships held at night on church lawn. 
• Support is also provided to Gumurr-Rawarrang Homeland Ministry at nearby Langarra, (Howard Island).
  

Contact:

TBA

Minjilang, formerly Mission Bay, is the Aboriginal community located on Croker Island, some 235 km east northeast of Northern Territory's capital of Darwin. It is the only settlement of any size on Croker Island (besides Minjilang, there are only eight small family outstations). The island is just a few kilometres from Cobourg Peninsula on the mainland. The community of Minjilang is on the opposite, eastern side of the island on Mission Bay, a secluded bay.

At the 2006 census, Miljilang had a population of 271 primarily Aboriginals of the Yarmirr people. About 150 speak Iwaidja and are the only speakers of this language, but English, Gunwinggu and Maung are also spoken. Approximately 48% of the population is unemployed. Croker Island offered a safe haven to many children from the "Stolen Generation" (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.

Key Features and Activities:

• Established in 1942 by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM) to cater for part-Aboriginal children removed by Welfare Dept from their Aboriginal mothers.
• Main languages spoken are Iwaidja, Kunwinjku, and Maung. 
• Minjilang is a small congregation and holds regular Sunday Services. 
• It is part of the West Arnhem Area Ministry Council.
  

Contact:

Rev. Teubiti Tapera Tel (08) 8979 0036
Chairperson, Minjilang Congregation,
c/- Minjilang Community via DARWIN NT 0822

Ramingining is an Indigenous community in the Northern Territory, Australia, 560 km east of Darwin. It is on the edge of the Arafura Swamp in Arnhem Land. The population is approximately 800 people, associated with 16 different clan groups, though this fluctuates. Noticeably there is a significant housing shortage.

The community was established in the early 1970s, and became recognised as Aboriginal land with the passage of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1976. The village has an airstrip at Ramingining Airport, a general store, a school, a police station opened in January 2008, and a health clinic with four nurses and a fly in doctor every Tuesday/Wednesday from Nhulunbuy.

Djambarrpuyngu is the main language in Ramingining, though Gupapuyngu and Ganalbingu are also spoken. The village, along with near-by Murwangi, was also the source for many of the actors in the 2006 cinematic production Ten Canoes.

Key Features and Activities:

• Established in 1971 from Milingimbi mission.
• Main clans are Gupapuyngu, Ganalbingu, Liyagalawumirr and Djambarrpuyngu, as well as many smaller Djinang-speaking clan groups. 
• A congregation of NRCC since 1986, Ramingining is part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council. Pastoral care and leadership at fellowships provided by Elders.
  

Contact:

Chairperson
Ms. Matjarra Garrawurra (08) 8979 7951
Ramingining Congregation,
c/- Ramingining via DARWIN NT 0822

The community of Warruwi is situated on Goulburn Island in Arnhem Land about 250 km east of Darwin. It has a population of approx. 300 people.

Key Features and Activities:

• Established in 1915 by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM), the first mission in Arnhem Land.
• Main languages spoken are Maung and Kunwinjku. 
• Warruwi congregation is part of the West Arnhem Area Ministry Council.
  

Contact:

Chairperson
Mrs Nancy Ngalmindjalmag
Warruwi Congregation
c/- Warruwi Community via DARWIN NT 0822
(08) 8979 0211

The township of Yirrkala is located in Arnhem Land on the Gove peninsular about 600 km east of Darwin and 12 km south-east of the mining town of Nhulunbuy. It has a population of approx. 450 people with another 650 people residing in homeland communities serviced from Yirrkala.

Key Features and Activities:

• Originally established in 1935 by Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM).
• Clan elders signed the Bark Petition (1963) assisting the commencement Aboriginal Land Rights movement, and culminating in the rise of the first Homeland movement (1969). 
• Main languages spoken are Djapu, Gumatj and Rirratjingu 
• A congregation of NRCC since 1986, Yirrkala is part of the East Arnhem Area Ministry Council. 
• Recognised ministries have also been established at nearby homeland of Barrkira and in the Buyku homeland region.
  

Contact:

Chairperson
Yirrkala Congregation
c/- Yirrkala Community NT 0880
Tel: (08) 8987 3910

Rev Hala Tupou (support Minister - Yirrkala congregation)
Mr Dangatanga Gondarra - Community Minister, Barrkira.
Tel: (08)8987 3433