Kununurra Sun - April 2023

Kununurra Sun

HELLO

Isn’t it just the most wonderful time of the year?

Yes okay, let’s forget about the fact Kununurra was an island for a decent while during the past few months. The shelves were bare and we’re pretty certain there were a number of people willing to sell their first born in return for some fresh fruit and veggies. A bag of spinach would be lovely, and don’t even tease us with the thought of some basil or coriander.

But, HOW ‘BOUT THOSE WATERFALLS?

This year's wet season has been off the charts, and we’ve been soaking up every opportunity to bask in the watery goodness that is the wet season in the East Kimberley. It truly is the best time of the year. We’ve got the area to ourselves to explore every nook and cranny and if you’re one of the unfortunate few (like us here at KNX Sun) who don’t own a boat, that’s not a problem –there’s still plenty to dive into.

So, while we’re sitting here reminiscing on the magnificent wet season that was, we’re also excitedly anticipating the upcoming dry season. Look, we even made a list!

- Less humidity

- Still plenty of water around (don’t tell the tourists our secret spots though)

- More camping

- More freedom to get out there on the open road

- Did we mention less humidity?

We’re also slightly biased because April is our first birthday – yep that’s right, one whole year of KNX Sun in your lives. And, who doesn’t love a birthday bash? We’ll be off to the PumpHouse to celebrate a year in print, and look forward to the next 12 months keeping the sun shining.

Here’s to the dry.

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Wining & Dining at the PumpHouse

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Thrills and Spills: Dam To Dam

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Comedy with a Purpose: Steph Tisdell

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A New Lease on Life: Marie Minga

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Kununurra Sun turns One!

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Kimberley CreativeDonny Imberlong

Local & fresh

Come in and try the wide range of great tasting food choices including sandwiches, wraps and salads. Also, did you know Subway Kununurra sell subway pizzas? Subway, Eat Fresh!

(opposite Aus Post Office)

Captured in KNX

We want to see how you enjoy all the East Kimberley has to offer! Share your adventures with us by using #knxsun across Instagram to be featured.

Team KNX Sun

CREATIVE DIRECTORS:

ROSIE DUFFY & JESS BUCHAN

PHOTOGRAPHY:

JESS BUCHAN (unless stated otherwise)

EDITORIAL:

ROSIE DUFFY, JESS BUCHAN, ELIZA PARRY-OKEDEN

GRAPHIC DESIGN:

SEBASTIAN TASI

The paper we choose to print Kununurra Sun on has a positive impact on forests people and wildlife. FSC certified forests have to meet our rigorous standards. This means FSC certified forests are healthy, and benefit local communities as well as providing jobs for workers. FSC certification tracks the wood from the forest to the shelf. So when you see the FSC label on our magazine, you can be sure this paper came from responsible sources.

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Whats On

KUNUNURRA HOME HARDWARE ANNUAL DAM TO DAM

Saturday 1st April 2023

The Kununurra Waterski Club are currently in the process of preparing the 42nd Annual Dam to Dam Event. Each year the Kununurra Water Ski club hosts the Dam to Dam dinghy race which starts at Lake Argyle Dam Wall & finishes at Ski Beach

Time : All day

Venue : Kununurra Ski Club

Cost : Gold coin donation

20K

IN A DAY

Saturday 15th April 2023

The Shire is hosting a 20 km swim event on Saturday 15 April 2023 at the Kununurra Leisure Centre. Registration is now open!

Teams of minimum 4 and maximum 10 swimmers can compete in this event, with a minimum age of 12 years old. Registration is $250 per lane (team). A minimum of 4 swimmers’ details must be given at registration and more may be added until 8 April 2023. Team Registration is due by 30 March, first come first served – only 8 teams available!

An entry pack and BBQ lunch is included in the registration fee, bring your family to support the teams for a fun day! For more information, or to register, contact the Kununurra Leisure Centre on 9168 2120.

Time : 7am - 3pm

Venue: Kununurra Leisure Centre

Cost: $250 per team

KUNUNURRA MARKETS

Saturday 15th April 2023

The Kununurra Markets are back! Held each Saturday morning, from April to September, in Whitegum Park, 8am until 12noon.

The markets provide an opportunity to purchase locally made arts and crafts and fresh fruit/veg supplied by famers from around the district.

Grab yourself some funky jewellery, gorgeous zebra rock or ribbon stone, rough diamonds, boab pendants and earrings, wooden toys, soaps, clothing, scented candles, local photography, pens, dream catchers, pot plants, second hand books, second hand clothes and locally sourced honey.

Time: 8am - 12pm

Venue: Whitegum Park

Cost: Free

KUNUNURRA ANZAC DAY SERVICE

Tuesday 25th April 2023

The Kununurra ANZAC Dawn Service commences at 5am on ANZAC Hill. The ceremony is followed by a gunshot breakfast put on by Kununurra Rotary thanks to donations from local businesses. The town service will commence at 9am at the Kununurra Cenotaph.

WYNDHAM ANZAC DAY TOWN SERVICE

Tuesday 25th April 2023

Anzac Day Dawn Service followed by a BBQ Breakfast donated and put on by the community.

Venue: The Bastian Lookout Wyndham

Time: 5am

Kununurra Sun acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands throughout the Kimberley and in particular the Miriwoong and Gajirrawoong people of Kununurra and surrounding areas where we live, work and welcome visitors from afar.

Wining & Dining at the PumpHouse

It’s Friday afternoon and you’ve had a big week at work. The weekend is calling and so is a refreshing cold drink with friends. It’s time to say ‘cheers’ to the week that was, while looking forward to a weekend full of adventures.

So where does one head? The PumpHouse Kununurra of course.

Kununurra Sun have been lucky enough to enjoy a sunset cocktail at the iconic venue since it reopened in the last couple of weeks, and if the talk around town is anything to go by, everyone seems happy to have the PumpHouse open again.

It’s no mean feat to get a venue like the PumpHouse up and running. After more than 12 months with its doors closed, getting this iconic Kununurra venue up to scratch required a mammoth team effort, and gosh, have the team done well.

We thought it was time to celebrate those who have worked incredibly hard to get the PumpHouse ‘pumping’ again and give you an understanding of the thought process behind the delectable meals and beverages you’ve all been devouring.

The PumpHouse was purchased by the HMC Group, an award-winning and locally-owned collection of tourism

and aviation businesses, including Aviair, HeliSpirit and Freshwater East Kimberley Apartments.

Long-term local Ebony Muirson, in her role as General Manager, leads the team at the PumpHouse Kununurra.

She’s joined by two hospitality superstars in Laura Drinkwater, as Restaurant Manager and Steve Bennett, the Head Chef, to ensure the PumpHouse runs to the highest standard, all while offering that renowned Kimberley service.

If you could describe someone as sunshine, Laura fits that bill. She’s friendly and warm and it would be hard to wipe the smile off her face. It’s clear to see she has a genuine commitment to ensuring anyone who walks through that wooden gate has a memorable experience, and she somehow does this all with an air of ease about her. (Laura, please tell us your secrets).

Laura has an extensive background in hospitality and has worked at some of the most luxurious lodges in Australia, including El Questro Homestead and Berkeley River Lodge. She now calls Kununurra home and is the one responsible for putting together the new PumpHouse drink menu.

Yes, that’s right – the one everyone in town has been talking

about. Those wines…. Gosh, don’t get us started. She’s also ensuring the previous owner's legacy lives on behind the bar, creating the ‘Dom & Tom’ cocktail with Makers Mark whiskey. I think we’re onto a winner here.

As the sun sets over the Ord, you’ve knocked back a cold one and your tummy is telling you it’s time to start thinking about ordering some food.

This is where Head Chef Steve Bennett comes into the picture. Let’s be honest, some chefs can be a bit daunting. They can get a little hot under the collar in the kitchen and well, given I can’t even boil an egg, can be quite intimidating. Steve breaks that stereotype, in fact, he smashes it out of the park.

Like Laura, he’s inviting, friendly and committed to ensuring anyone who dines at the PumpHouse leaves full, satisfied and already thinking about what they will be ordering next time around.

With more than 40 years’ experience as a chef, including running his own restaurants in Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania, Kununurra is very lucky to have him!

His menu is inspired from the local produce of the region, and he plans to work with local custodians on country to forage for native ingredients to further develop his menu.

Our favourites so far have been the barramundi and the mushroom soba noodle salad. Don’t get us started on the dessert menu - they are designed to share, however we can confirm within the KNX Sun fam, no sharing has been involved.

Steve made the move over from Tassie with his lovely wife Leslie, or as Steve often refers to her ‘the ying to his yang’, and has fallen in love with our little community.

Steve and Laura are supported by a dedicated, hardworking and friendly team. Many who have travelled away

from their friends and families in Vanuatu and Fiji. These guys are amazing, they have been willing to leave their homes to travel to a remote town like Kununurra to ensure our hospitality venues can stay open whilst still operating at the highest standards.

You can tell from their diligent customer service that they know exactly what they are doing, many of them having worked in five star resorts and hotels across the South Pacific. Their friendly smiles and excellent customer service is the icing on the cake to the PumpHouse’s operations.

Not long after the PumpHouse had opened, we were lucky enough to be on the deck watching a sunset with Steve while he took a quick break from prepping. The sky was a kaleidoscope of colours and the water was perfectly still. A flock of magpie geese flew past and Elephant Rock glowed in the afternoon sun. Steve looks out onto the river, opens his arm and grins from ear to ear.

‘Now THIS is what I’m talking about!’

And Steve, we agree. The PumpHouse Kununurra – it’s what everyone’s talking about.

Bookings for the PumpHouse can be made on their website: pumphousekununurra.com.au.

Dam to Dam

Do you like the thrills, but without the spills? Well, have we got the perfect day out for you!

This year’s Dam To Dam marks the 42nd annual event held at Ski Beach, Kununurra and for those who like to be close to the action, this spectacle on the water guarantees a day packed full of it.

Taking place on Saturday 1st April, the Dam To Dam is the biggest event on the Kununurra Water Ski Club (KWSC) calendar.

Although nominations to participate in the exhilarating 55km race are closed, KWSC would love to see you down at the Ski Club to join in the fun and cheer on the competitors.

For those who are new to town, or have never been along to Dam To Dam before, here’s the key info you need to know.

The Dam to Dam event sees local and interstate competitors race each other along the majestic Ord River, from the dam wall of Lake Argyle right through to the Kununurra Ski Club located near the Diversion Dam.

Competitors can choose from multiple classes to suit their vessel and engine size and it's not all about speed, as the best dressed boats are acknowledged as well.

The main race hosts a variety of classes from a standard 15hp

motor all the way up to a 300cc or 30hp modified, and it is as competitive as you make it.

It’s not just about the main race, there are a few different categories competitors can enter:

ENDURANCE BOAT RACE - from the ski club, to the dam wall and back

MOTOR CLASS BOAT RACE - starts in waves depending on your boat class/engine size from Lake Argyle dam wall, finishing at the ski club

SHORT COURSE RACES - fun ones that happen out the front of the ski club – great for spectators

THE PUMPHOUSE DRAG SPRINT RACE - quick race that starts at the PumpHouse and ends at the Ski Club

From a spectators point of view, the short course events are where it’s at.

With thrilling events such as the barrel race and sprint race on offer, you’ll be in the thick of the action to determine whose boat is truly the fastest of them all.

And don’t worry, even if you’re not racing, you’ll still be in it to win it with a $1,000 Yeti/KWSC prize pack raffled off on the day as the ‘lucky draw prize’

Of course, events like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of some amazing local sponsors.

Photos: KNX Ski Club

Kununurra Water Ski Club President Jono Tuckey said the support from local business has been integral to the success of the event for several years.

“The Shire have provided us with a $10k event grant which is huge monetary support of the club and wouldn't be able to run the event without the support of SWEK,” Tuckey said.

“I really want to say a big thank you to Kununurra Home Hardware as well for sponsoring the main event, they provided a huge monetary sponsorship donation and we wouldn't be able to run the event without their support.

“Unfortunately, we had to cancel the event last year due to Covid-19, so we’re so excited to have it back and get everyone down to join in the fun.

“All profits raised on the day will go directly back into the club and help us continue to upgrade our facilities at Ski Beach.

While the race down the spectacular Ord River is the main event, there will be plenty going on to keep everyone entertained.

Short course races, a champagne cruise, live music, kids activities and an open Bar from 10.30am means it will be a great day out with family and friends.

The gates open for spectators at 8am, Saturday 1st April. And if you can’t make it to the Dam to Dam, the KWSC host plenty of other activities throughout the year.

“We have our night markets scheduled for the July school holidays where we will have some ‘trick’ water skiers/ barefooters flying up from Perth to run a clinic and ski demo.” Tuckey said.

“We would really like to increase our member numbers and increase member participation at club events.

“This is the fastest way the club can generate funds to invest into the club’s future projects (facilities upgrades, amenities, equipment etc).

“We really want to see the club evolve into a place for locals to go on a Sunday afternoon, enjoy a beer, sunset and swim.

“It's probably the best location in Kununurra to enjoy the sunset and isn't being used to its full potential.”

Memberships range from $30 Social, $90 Single, $125 Family & $400 Corporate. For more info head to the Kununurra Water Ski Club page on Facebook.

Who Run the World? Girls!

Kununurra Sun is a female led magazine, so as you can imagine we loved nothing more than celebrating all the wonderful women (and men who champion women!) in our lives on International Women’s Day.

Joined by our fabulous colleagues and friends we attended the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry event held at The Cambridge. Over 59 women and one male (what a wonderful supporter!) came together to support and celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity.

We heard from two powerful guest speakers, Frauke Bolten-Boshammer and Keda Bond. Frauke and Keda shared their stories about triumphing despite adversity and shared their journey to becoming the strong female leaders they now are. What an honour it was to be able to sit and listen to them, they were so open and honest with what they shared.

Across town, Neighbourhood House celebrated International Women's Day on March 12 with a casual event that brought together women from different backgrounds and walks of life.

The event featured music, dancing, inspiring talks and friendly chats among the attendees. It was a great opportunity to connect with other amazing women in our community and to enjoy the facilities of the new House, which was built in 2020.

The event was part of the House's mission to provide a nurturing environment for the whole community to share, dream, be inspired, grow and laugh.

#EMBRACEEQUITY

DID YOU KNOW:

Although there is still plenty of progress yet to be made…

- The average superannuation balance for women (60-64 years old) is only 58% that of men.

- Australia's national gender pay gap is 13.3 %, so for every dollar on average that men earn, a woman earns 87 cents.

- Mothers spent an average of 3 hours and 34 minutes participating in childcare activities a day, while fathers spent 2 hours and 19 minutes.

- Women only make up ¼ of Boards of ASX listed companies.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Photos supplied

Steph Tisdell

AUSTRALIA'S BRIGHTEST COMEDY STAR MAKING WAVES FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS

It was a steamy Thursday afternoon at the start of February and I sat down at my coffee table to make a phone call I didn’t think I’d ever envisioned making when we first conceptualised Kununurra Sun. The phone number I was dialling was Steph Tisdell’s - arguably one of Australia’s brightest comedic stars.

I tapped in the numbers nervously and waited in a sweaty clamour (in my air-conditioned living room) as the phone rang two or three times. I had never really interviewed anyone properly before, let alone a person who regularly appears on prime time television.

“Hello!” a bright voice on the end of the line answered, followed by a loud squawk. It appeared I would not only be interviewing Steph, but also her two birds Michael Parkinson and Eddie.

From there, my list of questions flew out the window and Steph and I spent the first ten minutes of the conversation discussing her love for birds. Especially birds of the outback, of which I assured her that there are plenty here to see in Kununurra when she comes up for the Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster in May.

She was particularly delighted in the chance to see a Gouldian Finch - a promise I couldn’t make, however a cracking opportunity for an avid twitcher to showcase their birding know-how.

As the conversation moved on, my nerves dissolved and it was clear there was a lot more to Steph than a good punchline. Her down-to-earthness was apparent, even over the phone, and her open-book attitude was refreshing and put this nervous interviewer at ease.

Steph was born in Mt Isa but spent her childhood between Brisbane, Mt Isa and the Atherton Tablelands. This probably sparked her love for driving, especially long journeys. She always drives herself to gigs, even going as far as buying a new car to make the journey to Kununurra this year.

Originally having studied law and journalism, it took Steph a couple of years to realise it wasn’t the path she wanted to go down. Anxiety put her in a stranglehold, to the point where she couldn’t even leave the house. However she developed a ‘rip it off like a band-aid’ approach to her anxiety that sounds daunting but was a big part in how she got to where she is today.

“If everything is scary in the world, to even open the door and go outside, then why not jump out of a plane? If everything is scary, then nothing is scary. It requires the same amount of bravery so just take the bravery to the next level. I’m always using my anxiety to give myself a lot of courage and do things that make me feel uncomfortable. If everything is uncomfortable then just push it, you know?”

And that's what got her into comedy.

In a dark moment, when she decided law and journalism wasn’t on her path, Steph opened that metaphorical plane door and leapt head first into a spontaneous backpacking trip around Europe, which fatefully coincided with her preamble into the world of comedy.

One night in a pub in Dublin, Steph found herself surrounded by a group of friends who embraced her ‘just do it’ attitude and encouraged her to do an impromptu stand up comedy performance. Steph, despite her fears, stood up on a chair and shared hilarious yarns which earned her plenty of pints and new-found passion for comedy. Back home in Brissy, she booked her first real gig and from there, the rest is history.

From that small pub in Dublin, to a regular seat on mainstream TV shows such as The Project and Hughsey We Have A Problem, Steph’s natural warmth and wit radiates from within, and has landed her some pretty incredible accolades, such as the winner of the 2014 Deadly Funny National Grand Final and the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival John Pinder Award.

While she always has an idea of what she wants to say, Steph hasn't written a piece down in years. As an avid writer, she says she gets too caught up in the writing process, which she insists loses the hilarious side.

"Comedy is intuitive, there is a formula and you have to read the room to nail the joke." she says

"Comedy audiences, they kind of understand there is a

formula as well. You can almost sit with the audience and they feel when the punchline is coming and you share energy and read each other.”

She calls it serendipitous, however Steph's comical outlook on important issues such as race, equality and representation is what makes her stand out from the crowd.

Guilty white people are her favourite part of society to poke fun at.

“Mostly because I think I want guilty white people in on the joke and to make them understand that actually guilt is doing nothing and we need to be doing more than that. We need to stop just being guilty and watching, it's about actually advocating and understanding and challenging your ignorance.

It's always been my favourite because I think guilty white people are where our strength lies moving forward but where our weaknesses are currently.”

Making people feel uncomfortable is not something Steph likes to do. However she realises using her platform for change is a small step towards more productive conversations in this space.

"I don’t feel comfortable talking about a lot of the stuff that I talk about, however I recognise that if I have the opportunity that I have to use it, because otherwise it gets shut down" she says.

As a proud Ydinji woman, Steph is passionate about sharing her experience and what her culture means to her. She hopes that her visibility will empower other Aboriginal artists to come forward and to showcase their comedic talents.

“I’m trying to create spaces and opportunities and petition these people in these positions to broaden their search and have diversity of indigenous voices instead of tokenizing a couple of profiles”

The First Nations Talent Agency (FNTA) was born from this.

Partnering with Artie Lang, CEO of A-List Entertainment, Steph conceived the idea of FNTA after she was approached by an organisation who asked to help put them in touch with other speakers when she was unable to take part in their project.

“The Australian media landscape wants to see black fellas that are talking knowledgeably about things but also have black fellas that are ‘real’ black fellas.

It’s about getting voices into corporate spaces and saying stop tokenizing people and really listen to people who might not agree with you, who might not say what you want to hear but that’s what we need to be doing. That’s the actual first step of reconciliation - giving people that freedom of speech within that space.”

With two artists on the books full time and 20 more freelance artists they have access to, the agency is all about connecting people with opportunity and giving First Nations people a chance to speak in a space they relate to.

"We need to have a diversity of Aboriginal voices because I can only speak on my own experience, not the Aboriginal experience as a whole.”

For young Indigenous kids looking to get into the industry, Steph says it's not just about being funny, but taking the initiative to set up a room where you can perform and work hard at it.

“Bring a group of people who support you and make you feel comfortable. You have to make your own opportunities, however also reach out to people that can help, and the First Nations Talent Agency is a great stepping stone to bigger stages.”

Steph is also casting for the first Aboriginal stunt school, after noticing a gap in the market for Indigenous people trained as stunt people. She was filming the TV show Total Control and the stunt double for the Aboriginal teenager was a tiny 50-year old Greek man.

‘There has never been a call out for Aboriginal stunt workers, so I hope [the stunt school] will give real life opportunities to work in the industry. They get a scholarship to professionally train as a stunt double.’

You can bet your bottom dollar that Steph will be keeping an eye out for potential applications while she is in Kununurra.

“I’m looking for First Nations people that are athletic and love trying new stuff out. You don’t need to be trained in anything - just willing to learn skills and give them a go.

“I want fellas from remote towns to apply and potentially go on to bigger and better things.”

Steph’s migration from comedy into acting has been something that she had always wanted to do since she was a little girl but never thought she would actually make it there.

‘It’s the strangest industry but I just love it. You go away for months at a time, become a little family with the people you work with and you can’t tell anyone back home about what you are working on.’

Her latest foray into acting is the new series ‘Class of 07’ on Amazon Prime alongside standout Aussie actors including Emily Browning, Megan Smart and Caitlin Stasey. I asked Steph if she ever feels nervous meeting other actors or famous people.

‘I always get starstruck. I cried when I met Deb Mailmansame as when I first met Jessica Mauboy. But it's so weird because they’re just people, you have this idea that they’re untouchable but they’re really not.’

I won’t lie, it was reassuring that even stars get starstruck.

As we closed out our conversation, Michael Parkinson and Eddie chirped away impatiently in the background. I clearly had been taking the attention away from them for too long.

We laughed about how our lives were controlled by our pets and said our goodbyes. And while I couldn't promise her that she would see a Gouldian Finch in the wild, I have a feeling she will find a way somehow.

Steph will be performing at Comedy in the Park at the Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster on 24th May 2023. Joining her on the line up is Chris Franklin, Bev Killick and Fabian Woods. Tickets available through the Ord Valley Muster website: ordvalleymuster.com.au

A New Lease on Life

WORDS BY ELIZA PARRY-OKEDEN

It’s a sticky Sunday morning in November, and I’m meeting up with Marie Minga and Chelsea Boe outside the Cornerside Cafe. It’s thirsty weather and I’ve not long rolled out of bed, so brain cells are thin on the ground; I waste no time ordering a coffeeand Chelsea follows suit.

Marie, on the other hand, is poring over the menu. “I’ll have a juice,” she says after a bit, “anything with mango in it”.

While we wait for our drinks, the three of us chat amongst ourselves. Marie tells Chelsea and I about the trip she’s planning to Red Hill community near Halls Creek to visit her family, and the prawns she’s going to catch to eat at Christmas time. She tells us about a fishing spot that’s her son’s favourite – I ask her if it's a good spot, and whether it happens to be a secret… she pauses, squints a bit, and

continues chatting through a sly grin, breezing past my brazen attempt to catch her unawares. Fair enough.

The drinks arrive, chatter ensues, and Marie shakes her glass without reserve and often and the ice chinks loudly in accordance. She slurps the mango with delight.

Incidentally, and completely unbeknownst to me, this is a momentous occasion for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Marie has just received a kidney transplant; a triumph in itself, but more so when you consider that 2022 was her thirteenth year on dialysis. Chelsea is a renal nurse at Kimberley Renal Services; the two formed a bond during Marie’s many dialysis days, and it was Chelsea who approached us about a story in the Kununurra Sun.

Secondly, patients on dialysis are on strict fluid restrictions –this means no liquids, and limited fruit, no matter how thirsty you get in the Kimberley heat; no matter how raspy your throat feels, or how often you dream of cool water on your tongue. Certainly no juice with mango in it just for fun.

And thirdly, while on dialysis, Marie had to be at the Kununurra Renal Clinic every second day for three to four hours for thirteen years. It’s no wonder then, that a fishing trip dropped into casual conversation is akin to shouting “freedom” at the top of your lungs, and planning a couple of days out of town for the holidays is on par with busting out of Alcatraz.

Marie grew up in the East Kimberley, spending time in both Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, before a routine check-up at the Fitzroy Community Clinic forced her to relocate to Kununurra permanently, over a decade ago.

“The dialysis nurse came into the community - into the camp - and said, ‘Are you ready for dialysis?’ and I said ‘No’, because I didn't know what she was talking about.’

According to the National Kidney Foundation, dialysis is a treatment that helps your body remove extra fluid and waste products from your blood when your kidneys are not able to. Dialysis treatment is required to assist patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure. It’s a treatment that is startlingly commonplace in the Kimberley.

A study from 2012, which is quoted in the The WA Country Health Service’s current Kidney Disease Strategy, found that nearly one in five Aboriginal people has signs of CKD, and those in remote areas are five times more likely to have CKD than non-Aboriginal people. In comparison to urban areas, kidney patients in the bush are at a significant disadvantage due to the limited availability of specialist renal nurses and dialysis chairs in regional and remote communities.

While regular dialysis helps to keep you alive while your kidneys can’t, the only cure for kidney disease is a kidney transplant.

At the time of Marie’s diagnosis, there was no dialysis unit in Fitzroy Crossing, and there were no dialysis chairs available in the Kimberley, so Perth was the only option. Marie says that although whether or not to begin dialysis treatment was presented as a choice at the time, the full weight of the decision was not apparent from the get go.

“She [the nurse] said ‘Well you think about it first,’ but I was thinking about my son, so I rang him up and asked him,” she laughs.

“They didn't really explain that the options were dialysis, or you die – just make up your mind.”

“I said, ‘That’s alright, I’ll go down to Perth’”

Marie initially had reservations about the process –understandably, as at the time, there was limited information about dialysis being shared around the community, and many people on dialysis kept it to themselves.

“People don’t tell people things,” she says.

As it turns out, Marie’s sister and aunty were also receiving dialysis treatment; a discovery made when she was flown to Perth to begin dialysis and bumped into them at a hostel, which was home to a number of Aboriginal men and women seeking all sorts of medical treatment.

“We [my sister and I] shared the same room in the hostel in Perth.”

Unbeknownst to Marie, this quick trip to Perth to begin dialysis was the beginning of a thirteen year journey. The time spent there was positive, and she quickly got into the swing of things.

“My sister was there – it was relaxing then, and I got happy,” Marie says of Perth, “I saw all my family and countrymen in that ward. I didn’t know that there was a hostel for Aboriginal people there.”

After six months, Marie was asked if she would like to return to Fitzroy Crossing. Initially, it was posed as a quick visit home, then she was told that her dialysis wasn’t finished, and she’d have to continue getting treatment three times a week in the newly opened renal unit there.

“I didn’t realise that they wanted me to move back there [to Fitzroy Crossing]; I wanted to go back to Perth because my sister was in Perth, see? I left my sister back there.”

After spending a couple of months back in Fitzroy Crossing, Marie was transferred to Kununurra to keep receiving treatment.

The idea of a kidney transplant was tossed around in the following years, but it wasn’t until the introduction of a Transplant Coordinator to the Kimberley Renal Service (KRS) a few years ago that the wheels were set in motion and the rigorous ‘work-up’ or evaluation process began. After many trips to Perth, a number of preliminary medical procedures and checks, invasive testing, box-ticking and some dashed hopes along the way, that the phone call to end all others came out of the blue.

“They called me up one Sunday morning – early hours of the morning too, I was sleepy and rubbing my eyes,” recalls Marie.

“I picked up the phone and it was the Doctor – he said, ‘You ready now?’

‘What for?’ I said, ‘You what?’

‘Your kidney’s waiting for you.’

My heart was beating – I said, ‘Oh wow, I gotta go!’”

‘Out of the blue’ is a stretch though, and Chelsea is quick to burst my romanticism and assure me that there is more to a kidney transplant than patience and sheer luck.

“It was a real process that Marie, with the help of the transplant coordinator, worked hard to get through,” says Chelsea, “It’s not just that she was on dialysis for 13 years, and then got a phone call.”

Marie doesn’t bother voicing whether she feels it was all worth it, and she doesn’t have to; she radiates an effervescence that I imagine comes with a new lease on life.

Her reflections on the physical reality of the work-up process and procedure, and the connection she feels to an organ that once belonged to someone else but is hers now, are drenched in a quiet spirituality. She says that she can feel it moving; feel the kidney relaxing into her body. I’m in awe.

“When I came back, people said ‘You look different – you’re not the same Marie anymore… you’ve changed… you look bright.’”

It’s difficult to imagine that six months ago, I would have been chatting with a different woman.

“I feel free,” she says, with a small shrug that speaks volumes.

Today, there is a dialysis unit in Fitzroy, which opened in 2012, but there are only five chairs – they are currently full, which means that anyone in Fitzroy requiring dialysis needs to go elsewhere. There are renal facilities with dialysis treatment chairs in Kununurra, Broome and Derby that are similarly bursting, and patients are flown to Perth to begin treatment and to await the next available spot in the Kimberley.

Fortunately, there is a strong, passionate team working tirelessly behind the scenes, to ensure that the same opportunities are afforded to us all, regardless of geography or demographics. They are striving valiantly towards closing the gap, and levelling the playing field.

I’m still stuck on the ‘no fluids’ bit.

“You can have some ice when your mouth gets dry,” Marie assures me, “That’s what I do when I go fishing – I always suck on ice.”

Marie checks herself then, and laughs out loud, exclaiming “But now, I can do whatever I want!”

Kununurra Sun is One!

Kununurra Sun is turning one, so we thought we would take the time to reflect on the year that was.

To be honest, it only struck us halfway through putting this edition together that we realised it's been 12 months of Kununurra Sun shining a bright light in our lives.

If we’re really being honest, it was after a particularly tough conversation between the two of us about the challenges we have been facing – first as foremost as friends, colleagues and then business partners.

Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love the Sun, and more importantly, we love how much the community of Kununurra loves the Sun. But, it’s been a hard slog. We both hold busy full-time jobs, try to ensure we get some fresh air daily, have hobbies and a full social life, so adding Kununurra Sun to the mix has had its challenges.

We created Kununurra Sun as two friends looking for a creative outlet to celebrate the community we have decided to call home. But instead of friends catching up over wine, heading out on weekends for adventures and just enjoy being in each other’s company – the things that inspired us to want to start this magazine in the first place - somehow along the way we’ve found our conversations have been consumed about our full time jobs, what we’re writing for the next edition, fringe benefit taxes and who the hell is going to be sending the merchandise orders this week?

So, we had a tough conversation (that nobody ever likes)

and made some decisions on how we can both ‘come up for air’ every now and then, and not let our close friendship turn upside down.

And after that chat, we both went on with our day then realised it’d been a year since we started this journey. After messaging each other ‘OMG, it’s our one-year anniversary’ we decided we need to celebrate getting through the past 12 months with our volunteers and I think we’re back on track.

In saying that, we’d love some volunteers, so if you’re keen to contribute by writing, taking photos or distributing the mag, please yell out to us via kununurrasun@gmail.com.

If you don’t have the time to volunteer but want to support us, we’re always hopeful for sponsors or advertising. Those $$ make a huge difference to our operations.

It’s been a hell of a year and although we can’t say we have loved every minute of it (as above), we do truly love this little magazine of ours and we love that the community has gotten behind us.

Thank you to each and every one of you that has picked up a copy each month, purchased a piece of merchandise or advertising space or followed us on social media. It genuinely brightens our day more than we can put on paper.

We hope we’re doing our little bit to put Kununurra on the map as a diverse, inclusive, adventurous community and we're very excited to keep the Sun shining for another year!

We all know how epic our little town is. We’ve got amazing waterfalls, great fishing, some of the most awesome 4WD tracks and hikes. But our community is also rather great if I may say so. That’s what this is all about - the amazing people of Kununurra!

Over the next few editions, we’ll be getting to know some interesting individuals of the Kununurra community over a cup of hot beverage (or an iced one, but hey that’s a minor detail)! So, let me introduce you to…

DYLAN JONES-WOOD

When asking Dylan about his coffee order, he starts smiling like a little kid in a candy store. At the age of 16 he started drinking it.

‘First it was with 4 to 6 sugars in it, to make it drinkable. Now I can’t stand any sweetness in my coffee’ he says with a look of horror.

Dylan now enjoys a coffee beverage called a Magic; a double espresso shot with milk that is steamed but not too hot. Filled just below the rim of the cup.

However, his coffee order was not the only reason for me to sit down and have a chat with him. Dylan has done some amazing adventuring in his life.

How many people do you know that have packed everything they need on a mountain bike and taken six months of unpaid leave to do a bike-packing trip from Kununurra to Cairns, Queensland, before making his way back down south

to his stomping grounds of Mansfield, Victoria?

Well, after this story, you now know at least one!

His bike is not just a normal bike you can get in a shop. No, Dylan who is 6 '8 tall, has a special bike. The biggest frame there is, flown all the way here to Kununurra from Colorado, USA.

‘This is the first bike I ever owned that I don’t have to put the saddle up ALL the way’ Dylan tells me grinning.

Dylan started riding a pushbike back in school. ‘Part of a community thing, me and a mate decided to ride 500 kilometres. We raised money for the Cancer Council and after that I was sold. Growing up we did a lot of dumb stuff on the bike; I had 4 concussions in a short period of time and riding on the road or a gravel track is a lot safer to do.’

One of his adventures took place in France, where he rode

the Tour De France. Not inbetween Richie Porte, Michael Matthews, or Cadel Evans but with any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

‘You go with a tour operator, and you ride on the same stages as the pro’s do. Climbing a mountain for 4 to 5 hours. Stunning views and an amazing experience.’

Bike-packing is a holiday for Dylan. He looks at it like an adventure.

‘When you are on the road, it is an adventure. You see new things every day and meet new people. You can explore and not have to worry about fuel prices or if you are going to make the next servo.’

When the conversation goes to water, Dylan starts laughing;

‘I ran out of water once, 80 odd Ks to go. I just sat down next to the road in the shade when a bloke in an old Land Cruiser came by. Windows down, he was in his jocks. "Do you have any water?" I asked him. He pulls out of a fridge a 5-litre jug of water. Sometimes heroes ride in an old Land Cruiser in just their jocks.’

Even though he goes away from the East Kimberley on trips, he considers Kununurra home more than where he grew up in Mansfield.

Dylan starts smiling again and says: ‘Nah, Kununurra is home. I came here on the 4th of January in 2020. With the plan to stay 3 months.’

Like many of us, he stayed.

‘I was warned by my friend Mark after a couple of weeks. We were at the pub, and he came up to me and said: I know that look. You are not leaving. And yeah, he was right! Still here, loving my life, my job, and my group of friends.’

‘In a country town like Kununurra you become close friends with people very fast. Because you are so remote, your friends become your family. It is a lovely thing to experience.’

For new people in town, he has a piece of advice: ‘Join a sport. It is the fastest way to meet people throughout all layers of society and in all different lines of work.’

When we turn the conversation to the future, Dylan unfolds his master plan;

‘Riding my bike to the most Western point of Australia, and then the most Southern, Eastern and Northern points!’ he tells proudly and then quickly adds;

‘But I’ll come home though!’

COUNCIL CONNECT

SHIRE OF

WYNDHAM EAST KIMBERLEY

@ShireofWyndhamEastKimberley

Kununurra Leisure Centre to provide Fitness classes again

It’s been a hot minute, but the Kununurra Leisure Centre will be providing fitness classes again after being in hiatus for the last few years. We sat down with fitness instructor Merlee Stoldt to talk about her experience and all things fitness.

How long have you been in Kununurra?

I am a Kununurra local and was born here! I moved away to NSW for 2 years but I missed it to too much and I am back and ready to change lives!

How long have you been in the fitness industry and where have you worked before?

I have been in the industry for 10 years. I have managed Sport and Rec facilities for the past few years (Kununurra Leisure Centre and SportUNE in Armidale NSW). I am now a full time lifestyle coach, I am coaching clients all over the world! Plus classes and 1-1 PT’s in Kununurra.

What type of classes are you offering?

• Strength on Mondays 5:30am - 6:30am (resistance training class to build strength);

• Total Body Workout on Wednesdays (mixture of cardio and weights and targets entire body);

• Pilates on Wednesdays 6:30am - 7:30am (Mat-work class designed to improve mobility and flexibility);

• HIIT on Fridays 5:30am - 6:30am (Cardio class, this will get your heart pumping! Improve Fitness and burn calories).

What are your goals for these fitness classes?

My goal is to make fitness fun! I want people to enjoy working out and have an active lifestyle. I am keen to teach people all about health and fitness and get them on the right path to achieving their goals

What should you bring to class?

Bring a towel, Water bottle and closed in shoes. I will bring energy and good music.

Fitness classes are $12.50 for casual. If you are a Gold Member at the Kununurra Leisure Centre, is it part of your membership. Merlee also offers 1-1 personal training, specialises in weight-loss and can provides tailored programs for each individual. Contact her via merlee.stoldt@hotmail.com.

‘20K in Day’ is back...

With the annual Lake Argyle Swim just around the corner, the ‘20K in a Day’ event is the perfect practice event to attend before you plunge into the fresh waters of Lake Argyle.

Teams compete to be the fastest in swimming 20kms. A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 swimmers per team can compete in this event (minimum age 12). Registration is $250 per lane (team). Entry pack and BBQ breakfast are included in the registration.

There are only 4 team spots left so get in quick! For more information or to register, please contact the Kununurra Leisure Centre at 08 9168 4100.

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Kununurra Council Chambers

ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT 15 APR 2023

Donny Imberlong

KIMBERLEY CREATIVE

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU GOT INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?

When I was 10 years old, I saved up enough money to buy a small point and shoot Canon. My grandparents saw that I had a keen eye and were very encouraging to keep taking photos. Over time photography has complemented my deep love for country and now I get to share that with people far and wide.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN HALLS CREEK? HAVE ARE THERE ANY CREATIVES THAT INSPIRE YOU?

My family group is Jaru. We are from the Halls Creek area. Although my immediate family had moved to Kununurra in the 80s, I would still go back to Halls Creek to visit family and spend time out on country. There are a lot of awesome camping and fishing spots on the upper Ord River (east of Purnululu) that my Uncle takes me out to every now and then.

WHERE DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?

Just through trial and error, watching a lot of YouTube clips and

generally just mucking around with camera settings while I’m out bush. Similar to most people with a creative outlet I am my own tough critic and so that keeps me motivated and trying to find that next shot.

ARE THERE OTHER CREATIVES THAT YOU FIND INSPIRING/MOTIVATING?

My cousin Emile who is based in Broome @eb_shots. It's always good to have someone equally as keen as you are about getting out and about to snap some pics. Often leading up to a trip we might have a handful of certain shots in mind and that motivates and inspires us to both get a bit creative.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE?

I’ve actually never thought about this one before! MaybeObservational. I love sitting down in shady spot and watching the daily movements of the plants and animals and trying best to capture that in a single photo

Donny Imberlong, a Jaru man from Halls Creek has taken his love for country and passion for photography to capture beautiful imagery of the East Kimberley region. After his keen eye for photography was noticed by his grandparents, Donny has gone from strength to strength in his visual storytelling.

YOU RECENTLY WENT OFF GRID FOR A FEW WEEKS ON AN ADVENTURE DOWN THE FITZROY RIVER. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT?

Truly epic! Spent 13 days paddling roughly 300km down Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) as a part of an initiative to highlight the cultural and ecological importance of the river. Seeing the aftermath of the largest flood in recorded history was incredible and truly makes you appreciate just how powerful Mother Nature is.

HAVE YOU GOT A FAVORITE PHOTO? OR ONE THAT HOLDS A LOT OF MEANING FOR YOU?

In mid-May 2021 I hitched a ride on True North around from Wyndham to Drysdale River where I have a small property on the banks of the river. It had been the first time I'd been home since I left in 2017. I spent two weeks there by myself just cleaning the place up and enjoying my time off the grid. My favorite photo is a picture of my place that I took with my drone looking downstream in the beautiful afternoon glow. You can see a few of my houses perched on the banks of the river. My home out there means the world to me, and I feel like it's

perfectly captured in that photo.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE ASPIRATIONS WITH YOUR PHOTOS? IS THERE SOMEWHERE IN PARTICULAR YOU'D LOOK TO SHOOT?

Hoping to begin selling some photos so at the moment just looking through all the business side of that. I have a handful of places that I’ve been daydreaming about for years but the one at the top of that list is definitely Pantanal River in Mato Grosso, Brazil. To photograph Jaguars hunting Caimans!

You can find Donny's work on his Instagram @donnydrysdale or if you'd like to hear Donny speak on his new radio show 'Country Matters', focusing on local people across the Kimberley and how they interact with country. Donny speaks with researchers, policy makers and on country knowledge bearers, all working in their own fields to protect country and culture. Bringing an Aboriginal lens to conservation, land and water management practices, as well as development.

Hear 'Country Matters' on Waringarri Radio very soon!

Ready , Set , Swim !

The countdown is on to the Lake Argyle Swim and being avid ‘we’ll give it a goer’s' Kununurra Sun have wrangled some friends to enter a team.

We’ve been hitting the lanes down at the pool, and under the guidance of Kununurra Crocs Swim Club Coach Matt Smith, we’ve been training hard to ensure we can keep up with the pack. Although it slightly breaks our competitive spirit, we thought we'd do our community service and share some of the tips we’ve been learning while at swim club to ensure everyone has an even playing field.

We spoke to Matt who shared the below tips with us - we did notice he forgot the main one though - to have fun! For those who are needing the motivation for some last minute training come and join us at Swim Club on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30-6:30pm and Saturday mornings at 8:00-9:00am.

Head to the Kununurra Crocs Swim Club Facebook page for more info.

Goodluck to all our fellow competitors, be kind to your paddlers and skippers and we’ll see you at the bar for a cold one after the swim!

Between the Lines

BENEATH THE NIGHT: HOW THE STARS HAVE SHAPED THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND

REVIEW BY SARAH SEAR-JONES

Reading Beneath the Night was one of those rare books that changed how I see the world, and reminded me of the beauty of Earth, space, and humankind. We grew up being taught,that agriculture is what settled early humans and brought them together, but Dr. Clark challenges that notion by asking a question: what if it was the stars that made the connection?

From millions of years ago, to this very light-polluted day, Dr. Clark covers an extremely wide range on topics and explores why we are so fascinated with the cosmos, and what it has meant to us over millennia. While very Eurocentric, it’s a pleasant, easy read, that puts you in the shoes of people across time and makes you connect with them.

After all, we are still looking at the very same sky our ancestors did. Every human that has been born, every great figure in our history, every person in your bloodline has looked up at the stars and seen almost exactly what you see. Doesn’t that make you feel dizzy?

We are taken through the art, first tools, agriculture and settlements of our species’ early days, all the way to astronomy and astrology, law, music, medicine, mythology and religion, spacefaring, and where the relationship between us and the stars stands now.

BY STUART CLARK.

It’s an adventure through time, of things much older than we are, and will reinforce how incredible it is that we exist today.

By the time you finish the book, you may feel one of two ways: either extremely insignificant in the vastness of space, or deeply in awe of the universe in which we are fortunate enough to live. Either way, your perspective will shift, and when you next step out at night you will feel closer to humanity than before.

A word of warning: if you lend your copy of Beneath the Night, you will not get it back. Mine is still travelling from hand to hand as people share it to their friends and family.

Saturn enters Pisces, Mercury is in retrograde, and to top it all off. there is a solar eclipse to see out the month. Not to worry, the KNX Oracle is here to guide you through the chaos.

AQUARIUS – 20 JANUARY-18 FEBRUARY

The heightened celestial activity will have you feeling a bit antsy. You’re at risk of blowing things out to astronomical proportions. The wet season is over but April can feel like the build-up all over again. It’s not you going troppo, it’s the world.

PISCES – 19 FEBUARY-20 MARCH

Saturn enters Pisces after 26 years signalling a new phase in life. Structure, wisdom, and pragmatism conflict with your fantastical self. Channel the energy into new intellectual and creative pursuits. Take heed of your finances but remember you only live once, its okay to treat yourself sometimes.

ARIES - 21 MARCH-19 APRIL

You’re accustomed to jumping in head first, Aries. Mercury in retrograde signals time to slow down. The panic to be forever moving forward is over, the waterfalls trickle to a stop and its time to stop and smell the mulla mullas.

TAURUS – 20 APRIL- 20 MAY

The meaning of your words will be misunderstood impacting a relationship. Make this an opportunity to reflect on how much you value them. You’ll see who you can’t bear to lose and the dead weight you need to cut free. You can’t please everyone.

GEMINI – 21 MAY-20 JUNE

Your hard work in your career is finally going to pay off, or maybe it won’t. Regardless, optimism will rule your energy this month. Tap into your inquisitive nature. Feeling flirty? All this energy will catch the eye of another, go get it!

CANCER – 21 JUNE-22 JULY

Your usual sense of direction in life has come into question. Finding the right path will be a steep learning curve, but you’ll gain a higher perspective from the journey, and when you come back down to earth, Cancer, you’ll find compassion and new beginnings waiting for you

LEO – 23 JULY-22 AUGUST

You’ve been stepping out of your comfort zone lately and feeling self-assured in this new adventurous you. Expectations in a relationship will be strained. You can lay the foundations but it’s up to them to build the bridge and get over it!

VIRGO 23 AUGUST-22 SEPTEMBER

Ever practical Virgo, your pragmatism is so highly valued yet can be infuriating to those around you who might perceive this as lacking spark. Get your creative juices flowing by starting a dream journal. Find inspiration from unexpected places this month.

LIBRA - 23 SEPTEMBER-22 OCTOBER

Things don’t always go to plan this month, stop your usual overthinking and throw that checklist down the deepest depths of the Grotto. You may feel reckless and passionate however, now is not the time to alleviate your frustrations by being irresponsible.

SCORPIO - 23 OCTOBER-21 NOVEMBER

Caring can be tiring. There are too many mouths to feed, figuratively and literally, and not enough to go round. The solar eclipse will have you emerge re-energised. Let out your frustrations, howl it out to the moon as it passes between the earth and sun, go on, I dare you.

SAGITTARIUS – 22 NOVEMBER-21 DECEMBER

Intuition overrides intellect this month, Sagittarius. Let your feet and your heart guide decisions. You sacrifice yourself to please others too often. The time is nigh that you listen to your inner desires. Your loved ones will respond positively.

CAPRICORN - 22 DECEMBER-19 JANUARY

Love and sensuality rule your energy. Don’t be afraid to act on it this month. Outwardly show love to others. You’ll be back to your level headed self soon enough, enjoy the reckless abandon whilst it lasts.

Getting Quizzy With It

Tomato Barley Risotto with Roast Vegetables

RECIPE BY @OUTBACKOTTOLENGHI

It’s been a lean time for the past few months with food supplies, but you can still make delicious food with the few veggies that are normally (hopefully!) available. I’ve been using a lot of pumpkin and capsicum lately so I put together this risotto. You could swap out or use different veggies based on availability and roast using the same method. Barley is a bit different and such an underrated grain - you can find it at supermarkets where the dried legumes are. Hope this dish brings some heartiness to your lives!

INGREDIENTS

Roast Vegetables

- 500g kent pumpkin

- 1 capsicum

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- Salt and pepper

Tomato Barley Risotto

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 large brown onion chopped finely

- 3 cloves garlic crushed

- 1 small green chilli (or other chilli that you have/1 tsp chilli flakes)

- 1 cup barley

- 2.5 cups vegetable stock

- 1 x 400g can of tomatoes (I used Mutti cherry tomatoes as they are rich in flavour, but others would be fine)

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- 1 tbsp tomato paste

- 1 lemon: finely shave the skin to get 4 strips and juice half of the lemon for later

- Handful of parsley finely chopped

- Salt and black pepper

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 210 degrees.

2. Chop pumpkin into squares and season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for 30 mins or until soft and browned.

3. Cut capsicum into thick strips and season with olive oil and salt and pepper and bake for 30 mins or until soft and a little charred.

4. In a large pot at medium to high heat, cook the chopped onion with olive oil for 5 minutes. Then add the garlic and chilli and cook for another 5 or until soft and a little browned

5. Add barley and cook for a minute until fragrant

6. Add the stock and tin of tomatoes to the pot. At the same time add the paprika, tomato paste and peeled strips of lemon. Add a generous grind of black pepper and salt to season stir and cover for 35 - 40 minutes. Cook until the barley is tender and the water has evaporated to make a risotto-like consistency. Stir in half of the chopped parsley near the end.

7. Serve the barley in bowls, placing the roasted capsicum and pumpkin on top. Garnish with the remaining chopped parsley and drizzle over the lemon juice.

Balls ' n ' All

LAKE KUNUNURRA GOLF CLUB

It’s been another busy wet season for Kununurra Golf Club with Thursday ‘scroungers’ consistently seeing player numbers in the double-digits. March also sees the completion of the Summer Cup - with results unavailable at the time of printing. Keep an eye out for the results in the next edition. Their annual golf Open Day is on the 1st of April, all are welcome to come along. For more information on how to register for the six-hole, four player ambrose, head to their Facebook page or call President Scott Day on 0438 691 994.

KUNUNURRA TOUCH FOOTBALL

The Kununurra Touch Football Association has kicked off their 2023 Mixed Touch season with a couple of scratch matches before Round 1 on Monday 13th March. Numbers are again looking healthy this year but if you are looking for a game, it’s not too late with season and casual registrations available. Head down to the Town Oval from 5:15pm and hail down one of the friendly Kununurra Brumbies committee members to have a run.

EKFL

2023 has seen a split in the EKFL competition with the Warmun Eagles and Bow River Blues joining the Wyndham Crocs and Kununurra teams in the northern competition whilst the Halls Creek sides and ‘desert teams’ competing in the south. Saturday 18th March saw Warmun, Wyndham, Crows, Demons and Magpies compete in round-robin competition as a way to dust off the playing shirts and put their pre-season training to the test.

KUNUNURRA NETBALL ASSOCIATION

The 2023 Womens & Juniors Netball season commences on the 27th April. Womens team nominations close on Tuesday 4th April so make sure to get your team nominated in time. Head to their Facebook page for more information. See you on the courts!

Feel like we’ve missed someone?

As we use word of mouth and social media accounts to get most of our sporting news please feel free to reach out if you have any exciting sports stories we may have missed.

The Department of Communities works with families and young people at risk.

The work we do at Communities is complex, important and meaningful. We work with partners across government and the community services sector to deliver disability services, child protection and family support, housing and community and regional initiatives.

We also deliver on government priorities to support better outcomes for Aboriginal people in Western Australia.