Kununurra Sun
PAGES 6-7
Well, well, well…
How the hell is it March/April already? Feels like I just got back, and now the year’s flying by.
I was recently in Broome for the Australian North West Tourism Conference—sustainability, shoulder seasons, and the heat were hot topics (literally). Everyone was talking about how brutal the Wet is, but honestly, I feel lucky to be in Kununurra. Yeah, it’s hot, but we get the lush greenery and epic waterfalls. Someone suggested renaming the Wet to “Green Season” (like Cairns), but here, we embrace it—hell, we print it on merch: *The Wetter, The Better!*
night, we're opting for an early morning bird-watching sesh (twitchers unite!) and getting our garden in order, because why not?
We’ve also got some big events on the horizon. We sat down with the organisers of Dam 2 Dam, plus Lime Cordiale—this year’s headliner for Nexus Airline Kimberley Moon—to chat music, nature, and the new it word: sustainability.
Oh, and Kununurra Sun turns three this month! How CRAZY is that?! It hasn’t always been easy, but every issue proves how many untold stories and hidden gems this region has. Thanks for reading, sharing, and keeping this little mag growing.
Cheers, Sunnies!
Oh Dam, The Return of The Longest Dinghy Race
But even we have our limits. The Dry is finally rolling in, and I, for one, am ready to stop sweating. Dry season means camping trips, chafe-free weather, and getting out and about. This year, we're mixing things up. Instead of late nights at Hotel Kununurra on a Friday PAGE 16-17
Oops, I Killed It Again: Guide to Gardening in KNX
Ngoojaleng ginayin dawanga gelengoo. The country is green now
Ngoondoogaleng ginayin dawanga yarriyangeng wani mageny Our country is beautiful at this time of year
Lime Cordiale: Sydney Shores to Kimberley Moon PAGE 22-24
Great Migrations: Kununurra Style
Kimberley Creative: Tom Forrest
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.
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:
JESS BUCHAN & SEBASTIAN TASI
PHOTOGRAPHY:
JESS BUCHAN & SEBASTIAN TASI
EDITORIAL:
ELIZA PARRY-OKEDEN, RACHELLE EISENTRAGER, JESSICA BAKER, DARCY MACCARTIE, CANDICE LINTON-SMITH
GRAPHIC DESIGN:
SEBASTIAN TASI & JESS BUCHAN
We are always looking for new people to join our team, contact hello@kununurrasun.com
A Nod to Those Who Keep the Sun Shining
We remain steadfast in this mission. We rely on businesses and organisations in the Kununurra region to help keep the Sun shining. We'd like to acknowledge our current sponsors and thank them for their continued support. If you'd like to become a sponsor of the Sun, please reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities. Let's follow the Sun, together.
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley (the Shire) is the northernmost local government area in Western Australia, extending from the Northern Territory border to the northern tip of WA.
It serves as the eastern gateway to the Kimberley and the northern gateway to Western Australia, encompassing the towns of Wyndham and Kununurra, along with numerous small Aboriginal communities, the largest being Kalumburu.
The Shire has been our number one supporter since the birth of the magazine, ensuring we are able to continue to shine light to all that our community has to offer.
SWEK.WA.GOV.AU
Wayfinder Pathways provides support to people living with a disability throughout the East Kimberley. As a registered NDIS Provider, the organisation provides a high-quality service by empowering participants to write their own story. Wayfinder's provision of supports embraces a person-centred approach, involving family and care networks. Wayfinder also offers grant funded programs that provide capacity building opportunities to enable improved access and connection within the local community.
Wayfinder strives to align with the needs of the Kununurra community and the people that live here. The team are looking forward to sharing stories in the Kununurra Sun.
JOBPATHWAYS.ORG.AU/NDIS-SERVICES
Local
& fresh
Kununurra Sun emerged with a vision to uplift, educate, and connect the Kununurra community.
Dam Dam Australia s Longest Dinghy Race Returns
WORDS BY DARCY MACCARTIE
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE THE TACKLEWORLD DAM 2 DAM IS JUST ABOUT READY TO KICK OFF FOR ITS 44TH YEAR. COMPETITORS, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERSTATE, ARE MAKING THE TRIP TO TEST THEIR DINGHIES OUT IN THIS ICONIC RACE.
A quick introduction to D2D for those who may be new to town. The race has been a yearly tradition enjoyed by many who venture to this unique part of the world. It has the claim to fame of being Australia’s longest dinghy race, up and back from the Lake Argyle dam wall to the Diversion Dam wall. This is no mean feat covering a total of 110 km!
There are a total of 6 classes competitors can enter, usually in teams of 2. These include 15hp, 25hp, 30hp standard, 30hp super standard, 30hp modified and mini jet. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, don’t worry, it’s basically little boats that go really, really fast.
To get the inside scoop, I got on the ringer with George Jannings, the President of the Kununurra Ski Club and event organiser. This year George informed me that the race is hosting 70 competitors in 35 boats from WA, NT, QLD, and SA, making it a true national event.
The teams of two race in two positions on the boat with one skipper and a navigator, reaching speeds of up to 75 km. Competitors can either race the route of up and back to the dam wall or down from the dam wall, finishing by running across the finish line and slapping the desk at Ski Beach.
The race promises to add plenty of great stories to D2D history with George recalling a time where two competitors flipped their tinny in front of Ski Beach causing it to sink, only to retrieve it with an anchor and the ‘help’ of some enthusiastic partygoers later that evening.
If you want to get amongst the action, the Ski Club will be putting on a show for the spectators with food trucks, drinks, music, and much more! This is a must-see event and what we’re calling, the official-unofficial start to the busy season. Tickets are only $10 and it’s a guaranteed great day out for all.
The race this year will also feature some amazing women who are aiming to conquer the course, right on time for International Women’s Day!
Kayln Fletcher is a true Kununurra local, having grown up here. Watching her Dad and brother race, she decided to have a crack and signed up with her mate Jesse for the first time last year. Kalyn shared some sage advice for other women keen to give the race a go.
‘Laugh, embrace the adrenaline rush, and enjoy the stunning Ord River. This race shatters stereotypes and builds confidence that extends far beyond motorsports’.
Hannah Conley is another Kununurra local having a crack at D2D for the first time. Being proud to be part of a growing number of women entering the sport, she is encouraging other women to get involved.
‘Kununurra is an amazing place to learn, with a huge, open lake to get comfortable in and a strong community of experienced skippers and drivers who are more than happy to help newcomers.'
Sounds like a calling for other women to get their adrenaline rush on and give it a go! It’s fantastic to see how small communities such as ours are on the forefront of pushing boundaries and embracing change. Just what we love to see.
For all the latest on D2D, visit the Kununurra Ski Club website or Facebook page. There’s a tonne of information about the day, and whilst tickets are sold out to compete in the big race, there’s always next year to grab your mate, find a tinny, tune up an outboard, and get racing.
A big thank you to the Ski Club committee who are organising this year’s race, events like this couldn’t happen without the people on the ground doing the hard work.
Can’t wait to see everyone out there!
Scan the QR for tickets to attend Dam 2 Dam or for the Champagne Cruise.
Kununurra Sun
Lime Cordiale s Journey of Music Nature and Sustainability ' ,
INTERVIEWED BY TOM FORREST
EVERY YEAR THE KIMBERLEY MOON EXPERIENCE BRINGS SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S FINEST MUSICAL ACTS TO PERFORM RIGHT HERE IN OUR HOMETOWN. THE 2025 LINE UP INCLUDES SOME SERIOUS BIG NAMES AND THE ANNOUCEMENT HAS GOT TOWN TALKING.
Come the 24th of May, we’ll be treated to performances from Lime Cordiale, Thelma Plum, Mark Seymour and the Undertow, and more local acts! We caught up with Lime Cordiale ahead of their first visit to the Kimberley.
The band, made up of two brothers, Oliver and Louis have been strong in the music scene for some years now, but this hasn’t stopped the pair from delivering some of the country's most beloved music, time and time again.
They’ve taken home a countless amount of awards,
amassed millions of streams, headlined festivals, toured the world and last year were announced as the most played artist on youth broadcasting radio station, Triple J.
So Oli, as keen as we are to have you up here, what else are you working on in 2025?
We've been working on a documentary about sustainability, it’s something we’ve been working on for a long time now and we're hoping to be completely finished by the end of year! It’s been following our journey over a three year period, but it also kind of shows our whole life. We'll be in post production and sort of wrapping up that journey, so that's like a big project we're excited to get done!
And on the recording side of things, it’s our fourth album, so we’re just keen to get into some new territory and maybe release a bit more frequently.
Is sustainability something you fellas are quite passionate
about?
We’re on the coast of Sydney's Northern Beaches, most of Australia is pretty close to the coast, and we started out with our first few shows playing gigs for some sort of local “get plastic off the beaches” type fundraisers. That was a good excuse to get in front of an audience for us and it was also something that we were super passionate about, growing up on a little island that was boat access only.
We’re keen to show you what Kununurra has on offer, is getting out bush something you enjoy?
We've been surrounded by nature and we have such love and care for what we have. We want to care for nature. It's something that we always come back to, because when you're in a band, you can accidentally get selfish for a little while. You need to think about your project and work on that, and in music it can be so hard to get ahead of that, like you can't think of anything else.
We got to this point where we felt like we had some good successes and we've got a big audience, then we were like “hey we need to really get back and look at what we first believed in".
We’re just as set on looking after this place as you are! Now Oli this will be your first time in the Kimberley, tell us what the Kimberley Moon as an audience can expect? What sort of show are you and the band going to put on?
This is kind of an exciting one for us because it's just brandnew territory. We like going places for the first time, we're going to be giddy and excited, but we've also got about 50 shows to play before we get there!
We’ll just be so ready for a bit of nature, a bit of the Australian outdoors because after being in the USA, the best
thing you could be doing is going to regional Australia. So this is gonna be it! It's just like a bucket list thing for us for sure. I'd rather be playing in the Kimberley than say Brazil at the moment, you know, you’ve got to go to Kununurra first!
Is there anything in particular you are excited to see here in the East Kimberley and in Kununurra?
Well that's kind of the most appealing thing, I was like “Kununurra? Where's that?”
I typed it into Google Maps and was like “Are you kidding me?” I sent it around to everyone and more people were like “100% you’re doing this, like this is an offer of a lifetime!”
I'm super keen on the gig, because a lot of the time when you play somewhere like this, people are often the most enthusiastic you can get out of an audience.
Australian audiences are already pretty great, but sometimes you might play in Los Angeles or London or maybe New York, places where they’re too spoiled for their own good and judgemental or something.
You go somewhere like Kununurra and it's just like the party of a lifetime you know. Other than that, it’s getting out to see the great outdoors really, and barramundi fishing, take me away!
You heard it here first, Kununurra. If you’re heading to the Kimberley Moon this year, make sure to give Lime Cordiale a welcome they’ll remember!
Tickets available online at ordvalleymuster.com.au
Kununurra Sun Kununurra Sun
SAT 17 MAY | 3PM
The Great Migration
AMID THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THIS REMOTE TOWN, WHERE LIFE IS BUSINESS AS USUAL, THE ANCIENT HIGHWAYS OF MIGRATORY BIRDS PLAY OUT IN THE SKIES ABOVE AND WETLANDS AROUND US.
They may not be the most physically striking birds (like the jabiru) or have the plumage of the coucal pheasant, but they have mind boggling evolutionary traits, with the functional purpose of travelling extraordinary distances every single year.
Here are just a few that may give you (as it did for me) a newfound awe for these creatures, and a desire to purchase an extremely long lensed camera to cosplay as a twitcher.
Bar-Tailed God Wit
These incredible birds circumnavigate the entire world. They depart from Kununurra in March, stopover in the Yellow Sea vicinity, then breed in Alaska and Siberia from May to September. Once their chicks are raised, they return to Kununurra via New Zealand, making this a round trip. To store fat as fuel, they shrink their digestive organs prior to their long flights. Sometimes they fly for 8-11 days non stop. They do this by doubling their body weight, shrinking some internal organs to store more fat, and flying in an
aerodynamic V formation. They use unihemispheric slow wave sleep, meaning one half of their brain can rest whilst the other stays awake to maintain flights. They hold the world record for the longest bird flight ever recorded (13,560 km, in 2023).
Their extended beak finds buried prey in the mudflats. A sensitive beak tip, with specific nerve endings, detects the vibrations of their soon to be food.
The Oriental Plover
Don’t confuse these for the runny egg looking plovers that relentlessly swoop you in the park. This plover has bigger fish to fry. It leaves Kununurra in Feb/April, departing to Mongolia and Northern China, and returns to Kununurra in Sep/ November.
They stopover in Indonesia, South China and the Philippines on their journey. Usually seen in dry grasslands and open plains (or airstrips), they time their journey just as the snow melts in Mongolia and food reaches peak abundance. A nifty trick to support their long distance flight is to molt their plumage, ensuring they use only the highest quality feathers to fly.
Safety in numbers, they sometimes fly in flocks of thousands. When hunting, they will sprint short distances before quickly snatching up their prey (insects).
This waterbird has a less rigid schedule, although travels far and wide nonetheless. They arrive in Kununurra in Oct/Nov for breeding, then depart in April/May, heading to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. They let their journey be ruled by wetland conditions and food availability rather than traditional routes, following monsoonal rains that bring all their favourite delicacies - like insects and crustaceans. The nests they build will float in shallow water (around Lake Argyle and Ord River Floodplains).
The Whiskered Tern style of migration is like this; structural efficiency of their wings (broad and pointed) allows for minimal energy use during flight, as they can glide to conserve energy. Being opportunistic, they feed on insects and small fish along the way, so they don’t need to store fat for their journey. They take ample rest breaks and delay flying when there’s unfavourable wind patterns. They’re called ‘whiskered’ due to the fine feathers that grow on their face during breeding season.
Another one for the plover lovers, this Pacific Golden Plover links Kununurra with the arctic tundra of Siberia, Alaska and Canada. Arriving in Kununurra in August, ready for Wet Season, it leaves in April, stopping over in places like Hawaii, West Coast of US and even Argentina. Storing fat prior to their long journeys, they have a streamlined body and strong steady flaps of the wings to keep them going.
They (somehow?) time their flights with jet streams, even flying 4 days non stop across open ocean. Lone wolves, the Pacific Golden Plovers will fly solo, relying on their own navigation skills and not needing teamwork to get them there.
Let this just be a small foray into your exploration into the completely insane world of migratory birds. Next time you spot one of these unassuming creatures, by the river or god forbid on the road, just know they just might be better travelled and more highly evolved than you.
Kununurra
WORDS BY CANDICE LINTON-SMITH
The Whiskered Tern
The Pacific Golden Plover
Bar-Tailed God Wit
The Oriental Plover
The Whiskered Tern
The Pacific Golden Plover
Oops I Killed It Again A Beginners Guide to Gardening in Kununurra : ,
DO YOU EVER FINISH YOUR SHOPPING AT COLES AND DROP YOUR BAG IN SHOCK WHEN YOU SEE THE BILL? MAYBE IN THAT MOMENT YOU THINK, ‘SHOULD I GET INTO GROWING MY OWN FOOD?’ WELL, IN THIS GUIDE, WE’LL EXPLORE SOME TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A TROPICAL GARDEN THAT IS GUARANTEED TO ROCK YOUR SPACE, PLUS MIGHT EVEN SAVE YOU A LITTLE ON THAT GROCERY BILL.
Now I must confess, I am no green thumb, however, I did enlist the help of some local gurus to guide this article to what it is.
Meet Mandy and Eli, two of our community's finest. Together, they run the Kununurra Community Garden and are doing a great job not only in growing fresh food for people but also education on how to work with our tropical environment.
Marion and Dane are our other gardening gurus - they are Kununurra locals and have an absolute beauty of a garden.
1. Take a moment to observe before planting. Mandy explained this well, and it makes a lot of sense. Look around at your space. Do you have a small garden, a big garden, a couple of square metres, or a few acres? Then think to yourself, how much time am I going to be able to dedicate to this creation? Because at the end of the day, gardens require care and maintenance. In the wise words of Marion, ‘You get out what you put in.’
Once you have done that, it’s time to dive right into the dirt, which brings us to tip number 2.
2. Begin with perennials (plants that live longer than two years)
Yes, it’s not all about planting a mass of herbs and veggies straight away. Perennials make a great start for any tropical garden, and there is a raft of species you can get started with. The best part about perennials is they are often more hardy, so if you lose interest, they’ll likely persist, giving you at least some hope to cling to...
Some perennials (out of the many hundreds) that grow well in our climate include lemongrass - great for cooking and teas, and ginger/galangal - a tough, hardy perennial that is always a handy addition in the kitchen. Birdseye chillis, which quite literally grow like weeds up here and are awesome for spicing up any dish. Barbados Cherry, a cherry that grows in the tropics however you just might have to fight the birds for them. Finally, pawpaw and banana are easy to grow and mean you can have fresh fruit right off the tree!
Essentially, these are good introduction species that give you some hands-on work but will also continue to provide you with produce throughout the year.
Alright, once you have started with some perennials and thought, "Hmm yeah, gardening might actually be for me", we can go for tip number 3.
3. Stories.
No, not a kid’s book. I’m talking about growing gardens from high to low. For this, I got some inspiration from Marion and her slice of tropical paradise. Being able to utilise your garden's natural sunlight is key, and that depends on what is already growing and what you plan to grow.
The best part of this is that tropical gardens are versatile, and that is exactly what Marion has done. You have your overstory, with your taller species that naturally seek sunlight. But under them, you can use that shaded space to plant other species.
The Community Garden also has some amazing examples of this and can turn a small space into something big. Some great combos to think about are bananas on the top; basil, eggplant, sweet potatoes, and pineapples on the bottom. Alternatively, you could go pawpaw on the top, melons, tomatoes, and eggplants on the bottom.
Tropical gardens are like big thriving ecosystems; it’s important to work with what wants to grow, as well as what you want to grow. Please note, it doesn’t have to be edible species; there are many great options, such as palms, cycads, and frangipanis, that work very well as well.
4. Know your water and how to retain it.
This is another gardening life lesson from both Marion and Mandy. Water (obviously) is essential to maintaining a good garden, but we can’t always rely on it like we can over the wet. So, what are some ways to help retain that moisture without watching the water bill skyrocket through the roof?
Firstly, invest in your soil, get a compost bin, and use it. Composting is the easiest way to add nutrients to your soil, but it also goes a long way in adding soil structure, meaning when you do, it doesn’t evaporate straight away. Secondly, put down some mulch, straw, hay, or just some pulled-out weeds on bare surfaces. This is a great way to create a barrier between that harsh old sun and the soil below.
Finally, this is a tip we’ve already covered, but by planting those large perennials and shading plants, you are already keeping the sunlight off and creating a nice micro-ecosystem. It’s amazing how much cooler it is when you step under the shade of some trees.
5. Keep good company
I couldn’t help but add this, but when meeting Cisco the border collie I couldn’t resist. Get yourself a gardening buddy in the form of a dog, chickens, ducks, or whatever you like! Makes the days out in the garden all the more enjoyable. Plus, chickens are great scratchers and bug removalists.
Dig Deep and Grow Strong
Grab your gardening gloves, your sun hat and a positive attitude. I hope this gives you some inspiration to get that garden of yours going in 2025.
Big thanks to Marion, Dane, Eli, and Mandy for their help with this article. Happy planting! P.S The community garden welcomes new members if anyone is interested. Visit their
Kununurra
WORDS BY DARCY MACCARTIE
An example of how stories create shaded areas in a space, captured in the community garden.
Mandy and Eli from the community garden.
Barbados cherry from Marions, a great plant to add and creates some dense foliage in your garden - high in vitamin C.
Banana, cassava, mango, and much more are thriving together in the community garden.
Cisco and his best bud Curly. The ultimate gardening companions.
People, Place W& ide Open Spaces
STATION LIFE ATTRACTS FOLKS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. WHETHER THEY GREW UP IN THE CITY OR FOLLOWED THEIR PARENTS FOOTSTEPS NORTH, THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE GREAT OUTDOORS THAT DRAWS A CERTAIN CROWD. WHILE THEIR BACKGROUNDS MAY DIFFER, A COMMON THREAD INTERTWINES - A LOVE FOR THE LAND AND LIFESTYLE, NATURE’S BEAUTY, AND WIDE-OPEN SPACES.
Despite the tough work and long hours, those who work on cattle stations around the country can’t get enough of it, with many staying on for years longer than they originally planned. We wanted to know if there was something in the water on these stations that kept people coming back for more. Here’s what some of them had to say.
COURTNEY HORNABROOK
I grew up on the Gold Coast having the best of both worlds; beach days during the school term and holidays with cousins or grandparents out in Western Queensland and New South Wales. I’ve always had a love for the land, so once graduation came around, the car was packed and I headed to the Barkly region, Northern Territory. I completed three years with a fantastic (but hard) boss and am grateful for the lessons he taught me. Going on 9 years as a cowgirl now and I’ve never looked back.
I work at… Spring Creek Station with my partner, Will Shaw. It’s about 150 kms from Kununurra down the Duncan Highway (just below Lake Argyle). It’s such a picture-perfect place and the cattle are looking really good after all the rain.
My job title is… I guess I’m the ‘head all-rounder’! I’ve learnt to adapt quickly, tackling many different roles throughout my days. Will and I also run a contracting camp that we take out for a few months of the year once we have Spring Creek sorted. It’s a great addition to the year and keeps it exciting!
I’ve worked on stations for… About 9 years now, but have been in this particular position for about 4.
A day in my office looks like… Honestly no two days are the same. From March until April we will be bike/chopper fencing, making sure all paddocks are up and ready for the mustering season to begin. Once mustering kicks off, it’s all systems go until December. It’s a wild and hectic lifestyle at times, but so rewarding!
The highlight of my job… Would have to be seeing first-hand the improvement, skills and confidence the crew gain over a few months. It’s so rewarding watching them all work together like a well-oiled machine. The happiness it brings to both Will and myself to walk a fresh mob of cattle away
without fault is pure bliss. I believe it’s moments like this when the young ringers realise that they are getting paid for something the rest of the world would only dream of.
This year… We are actually trialling out a different schedule this season and on top of that, we have a fully new crew which have all just arrived. So a refreshing change with lots to be pumped about. I believe 2025 has good things in store!
I came to the Kimberley because… The old boss I used to work for had multiple stations across Australia, so we were fortunate enough to move around the states. Half the year was spent in the Kimberly region and I actually found myself working next door to my now partner, Will. He bombed me in the helicopter while I was fencing one day, and I had to know “who the hell would have done that”. Clearly I thought he was alright.
My advice is… To just give it a real good crack. No one is expecting you to know everything but if you keep showing up with the willingness to learn and try, you will undoubtedly outdo the person who shrugs their shoulders and says “I already know how to do that.” I believe it’s the building blocks to a great outlook on life.
JAKE HICKS
I’m Jake Hicks, originally from Hay, New South Wales and I have been in the northern pastoral industry since 2013 when I first left school. I was originally coming up for a year to tick it off the bucket list and had plans to go back south to start a building apprenticeship. Plans changed quickly when I realised my passion for the industry. I’m now heading into my 13th year up here in the North.
I work at… Auvergne Station, Northern Territory.
I am a… Station Manager. A manager’s role consists of… Coordinating work programs, managing a large cattle herd, organising supplies and services, managing finances of the business and overseeing all general operations to ensure a profitable and sustainable business. All while providing a safe and healthy work culture for the crew!
This is my… First year in this role at Auvergne and I have two years previous experience in the same role at a different property.
My day starts with… An early breakfast, ensuring the crew are ready for their work schedule ahead and that everything is going to plan, aligning with the work program. It then consists of a few hours in the office to check emails, catch up on any outstanding tasks generally to do with capital projects or ordering of supplies, make any adjustments to bookings needed for general services such as helicopters for mustering purposes or trucks to cart cattle. Once this is completed, I then attend to any operational jobs required out in the paddock to ensure things run smoothly.
The highlight of my job is… The people I work with and helping them develop and gain as much experience as possible. It’s a very humbling feeling to see first year ringers with minimal experience, having never worked cattle or able to ride a horse, soon evolve into senior roles such as headstock persons through to Managers. I take a lot of pride in being able to help people get to these stages in their working career, also resulting in better staff retention.
This year I am looking forward to beginning the year at a new property. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity this place has to continue enhancing the performance of the breeding herd, resulting in more profit for the business.
I came to the Kimberley because I first worked in the Kimberley when I moved to Carlton Hill station as a Headstockman in 2016 and 2017. I returned to Legune Station as Headstockman in 2019. During this period, I always enjoyed the Kimberley lifestyle, country and the community within it. I had always been keen to move back over towards Kununurra, so when the opportunity came up to move back here with my role at Auvergne station, I was sure to take it on.
My advice for anyone who is interested in working on a station is There’s plenty of work around and plenty of opportunity within the industry, so if you’re at all keen, reach out and apply. If you do start working in the industry, keep your options open and work hard. It’s a very small world in the northern cattle industry and everyone knows everyone, so you never know where the experience might take you.
MEG EVERETT
My name is Meg Everett, I was born in Queensland, however I have called the Northern Territory home for the majority of my life. In 2007, Mum and Dad packed their whole lives up and two little kids, moving from Western Queensland to Eva Downs. From there, we went on to live at Brunette Downs, where most of that time was spent on the black soil flats at camp.
For the first-year, Dad was Headstockman of Bullock camp and Mum was camp cook. She was also our school teacher and took on all the other jobs that come with camp life.
We then moved to Commercial and Weaner Camp. We also lived at Montejinni Station, Maryfield and Waterloo Station as kids. We were certainly blessed for the lifestyle we had growing up; all we had to worry about was how fast we could finish in the classroom, so we could join in with whatever was happening on the station.
In 2018, our little family was turned upside down when my little sister took her own life, due to relentless bullying at school. I dropped out of school that year. With only year 11 and 12 to go, began my own business Medooka Performance Horses, starting young horses for company stations and contracting camps. I was also contract mustering and filling in larger contracting teams when they needed an extra person. This took me from one side of the Northern Territory to the other, along with many long days spent on the floodplains in the wet season.
Working with horses, cattle and the ever-changing scenery gave me purpose and was a way of processing and dealing with grief. While in these contracting camps, I developed a love for photography. My sister was artistic and creative too, so photography became my creative outlet. I captured many of the simple everyday moments, just a snapshot of life. Looking back, it was a way to create a memory. You never know how precious a photo is until it’s all you have.
Together with Mum and Dad, we established Dolly’s Dream. A legacy to Dolly. A charity that addresses
bullying, offering workshops in schools and stations to educate people on the toll bullying has. The charity also has a 24-hour helpline, something that resonates with me as I know how it feels being remote and geographically isolated. This should never get in the way of reaching out for help. For more information go to www.dollysdream.org.
au
Where do you work? I now work in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
What is your job title? have just completed my dream of becoming a Commercial Helicopter Pilot, so I guess my job is Junior Pilot. To which I will be keeping to my roots of station life except now it will be from the air instead of from horseback or bike.
How would you describe that to someone who’s never been on a cattle station? Cattle stations in the north are thousands of square kilometres. The scale is huge compared to Southern Australia. With thousands of head of cattle across a vast county, contractors and or station staff are employed to muster the cattle on horses and bikes to the yards for processing. This process usually has teams camped out moving methodically across stations, working daylight to dark. It is by no means for the faint hearted. Helicopters play a vital role in station operations. They are predominately used for mustering operations as they can see more, cover more country in shorter periods of time which allows stations to have cleaner musters and ability of having cattle in the yards quicker
How long have you been in that position? I am currently in my first year flying, but have spent all my life doing this job from the ground.
What does a day in your office look like? Like all jobs in the bush, no two days are the same, and it’s not always the fun stuff. Each day is unique - on any given day I might be helping in the hanger, cleaning helicopters, tidying sheds up and keeping grounds maintained, or flying to different jobs and camping wherever that takes me.
What is a highlight of your job? When you want to be a pilot for so long, the highlight is flying. I get to see so much beautiful country knowing so many won’t ever see it.
What are you looking forward to in the year ahead? am looking forward to growing as a pilot, gaining more experience in both R22’s and R44’s. Wherever opportunities take me!
How did you end up in the Kimberley? I ended up in the Kimberley because I have always wanted to live here and the land is unique compared to other parts of the North. We are so lucky to have places to go swimming, adventuring, fishing, sightseeing etc. right on our back doorstep here in Kununurra. It's somewhere that never gets old.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be interested in working on a station? There are many many things I could say, but take the opportunities, have an open mind and be willing to learn from different people. You will still learn something no matter what the situation is, even if it's what you shouldn’t do. Honesty and kindness goes a long way. Don’t be afraid to try new things, because you never know where you may end up, but never ever give up on your dreams and goals. Always remember to speak up and ask for help, it doesn't matter what aspect of life it is, there will be someone who will help you.
Tom Forrest
MEET TOM FORREST, AKA 'OUTBACK TOM', A JOURNALIST AND CONTENT CREATOR FROM WYNDHAM, SHARING KIMBERLEY LIFE THROUGH STORYTELLING, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND TV.
TOM, THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR KIMBERLEY CREATIVE THIS EDITION! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE GROWING UP IN WYNDHAM?
Well for starters, I’m so fortunate to call this little part of the world home! I grew up in Wyndham for most of my childhood, and have fond memories of heading out bush with the family, fishing on the King River, swimming at the spillway and being surrounded by a great community of friends and family. We still had strong ties to Kununurra, from weekends in town spending most of it at the skatepark, or regularly attending and participating at the Kununurra speedway and motocross as kids as well, it was something me and my cousins looked forward to each month, and we had plenty of room to practise in Wyndham!
I’ve been a journalist for the best part of 7 years, but my first TV appearance was right here in Kununurra, being a cast member on the ABC Me program My Year 12 Life back in 2017, which feels like forever ago now. My journalism career started not long after.
When I’m not trying to find stories from across the region and country, I go by “Outback Tom”, a name I accidentally gained after filming videos with my grandfather in the bush, cooking
on the campfire and showing the world what we get up to in the Kimberley. Three years in and those silly little videos are now what I do full-time!
HOW HAS YOUR UPBRINGING IN THE EAST KIMBERLEY REGION INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER AND CONTENT CREATION?
Whenever I’m travelling the country or the world, something I always find myself telling strangers is just how much the Kimberley represents what the word ‘community’ really is.
It’s dropping into the cafe and running into a close friend, a previous school teacher, a family member, or every now and then a stranger! This is my favourite part of the Kimberley, it’s having someone to call when you’re faced with challenges, and having the support to get something up and running, or just keep something going!
From all the walks of life I’ve met growing up here, and continue to do now, I grow as a person myself, and I now have the opportunity to share that with people across the world, it’s really the community that’s inspired that.
WE LOVE YOUR VIDEO SERIES WITH GRANDAD - WHAT INSPIRED THIS SERIES AND WHAT’S IT LIKE HAVING THE COOLEST GRANDAD IN THE KIMBERLEY?
I must admit, he is a pretty cool Grandad! When I was 18 and living in
Kununurra, I would often put the food channel on after working a shift at the pizza shop. It sort of inspired me, sending me a journey to try and get some of the basics down! I even got a pressure cooker for my 19th!
I recalled countless camping trips with friends who seemed to always forget things like a frypan, or the eggs, or only bringing out sausages. I would often think, “if only we brought four more ingredients, we could have a delicious curry to feed us all.”
I came up with a rough TV show idea called “The Kimberley Cook”, something that would teach young people how to cook basic, yet delicious meals whilst out camping. I wasn’t quite in the position to be pitching TV shows and going into productions. So one day I said to Grandad, “Hey we should film a cooking video TikTok this afternoon”. He agreed and we’ve been going ever since.
AS A YORTA YORTA MAN, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO INCORPORATE YOUR ABORIGINAL HERITAGE INTO YOUR CONTENT?
Although I was raised in the Kimberley, I grew up with a disconnection to my Aboriginal heritage, due to my father's incarceration, something I’ve openly talked about. As a teenager, I went on a journey to find that lost piece of the puzzle, and found my Aboriginal grandfather in a small town, located in regional Victoria. He told me the tribe we were from is of the Yorta Yorta people, and that he was an artist, as was his father.
I believe it was finding those roots that played a big role in who I am today. For the past three years I worked for ABC Indigenous,
dedicating those days to finding, spotlighting and playing a role in sharing First Nations stories across the country. It’s something I’m very passionate and proud of.
YOU’VE AMASSED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS ACROSS INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK. WHAT ARE SOME HIGHS AND LOWS OF HAVING SUCH A SIGNIFICANT AUDIENCE FOLLOWING YOUR ADVENTURES?
We’ve absolutely loved the audience we’ve been able to build over the past three years. It’s given us countless opportunities, so much travel and an array of great times!
In doing social media, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and befriend some exceptional people who work in the same industry; actors, musicians, artists and so on, but most importantly, it’s given me the chance to foster new and genuine friendships with like minded people.
Social media can be rough, you can open yourself up to criticism for millions of people online, you can receive negative and hateful comments and perhaps when videos don’t perform as well, it can be taxing on the creator. But for me it depends what you’re in it for.
When Grandad and I started, we were just filming videos. We had no intention in “going viral”, and has no idea it would become what it has now. And still to this day, the main reason I love doing this is for the art of filmmaking, storytelling and the friendships along the way.
Kununurra Sun
KIMBERLEY CREATIVE
My favourite part of the day is filming a video in the afternoon with my Grandad, cooking on a fire, and just being so excited to edit it up into something good.
The “going viral” bit is far less important, but we’ve been fortunate in making a fulltime job!
YOUR MEDIA CAREER IS SUPER IMPRESSIVE! TRIPLE J, BACKROADS, PLAYSCHOOL! WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST FAVOURITE PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON SO FAR?
My goodness there have been a fair few microphones and cameras put in front of me. I’m so pleased I’ve enjoyed it enough to do it long term!
Presenting Playschool was definitely right up there in terms of fun! But one of the best programs to present has to be ABC Back Roads! I first appeared in an episode as a guest, showing the presenter around Wyndham, and now I get to host the show alongside some other brilliant presenters.
We go to the most remote towns in the country, and find some of the best stories from these little communities. Meeting the people, exploring the place and setting up camp for 10 days.
By the end of it you’re having dinner with the locals, know most of them by name and have a good reason to come back.
WE’RE SURE YOU HAVE LOTS OF TOP SECRET SPOTS ACROSS THE KIMBERLEY YOU LIKE TO FREQUENT. WE
WON’T GET YOU TO DIVULGE YOUR SECRETS, BUT WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE FOR A CUPPA?
Honestly my favourite spot has nothing there really, and that’s why I love it so much. I like to go out on the marsh when it’s dry, just behind the old meat works in Wyndham.
You have a great view of the bastion, often there’s drift wood to sit on whilst you cook some food and you get to see the sun cross the horizon, it’s beautiful!
WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR OUTBACK TOM? ARE THERE ANY NEW PROJECTS OR COLLABS COMING UP THIS YEAR?
We’ve already hit the ground running this year!
Each week we deliver a long-form video to YouTube, accompanied by some shorter ones for social media.
I’m currently getting my plane license which we plan to fully incorporate into our bush adventures, and let's just say we’ve got something going to print at the moment that I can chat about more later in the year.
There’s lots on, but honestly I’m just glad to be here for a Kimberley dry season, and can’t wait to get out bush more once it cools down.
Follow Tom and Grandad's adventures on all the socials@outbacktom
Colour It In
Under the Kimberley Stars The Future of KNX Picture Gardens :
FOR 62 YEARS, KUNUNURRA PICTURE GARDENS (KPG) HAS BEEN A CHERISHED PART OF THE EAST KIMBERLEY, PROVIDING A PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GATHER, CONNECT, AND ENJOY FILMS UNDER THE OPEN SKY.
ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY DAYS OF KUNUNURRA, IT HAS REMAINED A VOLUNTEER-RUN INSTITUTION, SHAPED BY THE DEDICATION OF LOCALS WHO HAVE KEPT IT ALIVE FOR GENERATIONS.
While KPG has long been a space for entertainment, it has also evolved into a cultural hub, hosting events like NAIDOC Festival, Taste of the Kimberley, live performances, and fundraisers. It is more than just an outdoor cinema—it is a community space with a deep connection to Kununurra’s history and a role in shaping its future.
As the town grows and changes, so too must KPG. To ensure its continued success, a long term strategic plan has been developed, outlining a vision for improvement, sustainability, and expansion as a key community venue. The future of KPG is about building on its legacy while making sure it remains a thriving, accessible, and engaging space for years to come.
Looking Ahead: A Plan for the Future
KPG is at an exciting turning point. While its history is rich, the focus is now firmly on ensuring it remains relevant, sustainable, and well-equipped to meet the needs of the next generation. The Five-Year Strategic Plan provides a
roadmap for key improvements, aiming to create a venue that is better equipped, more comfortable, and financially secure while still preserving the charm that makes KPG special.
Improving the Experience
KPG’s infrastructure is undergoing essential upgrades to enhance visitor experience and maintain the cinema’s unique appeal. Plans include:
• A new digital projector, ensuring sharper, brighter, and higher-quality screenings for audiences.
• An upgraded ablution block, making the space more accessible and comfortable for all visitors.
• Kiosk improvements, increasing efficiency and expanding offerings to better serve moviegoers.
• Stage upgrades, allowing for more diverse community events and live performances.
• New lighting and electrical systems, improving safety and energy efficiency across the venue.
These upgrades will modernise KPG while retaining its character, ensuring it remains a place that locals love and visitors remember.
Strengthening KPG’s Role in the Community
Beyond physical improvements, KPG’s future is about strengthening its role as a key community asset. The goal is to create a space that supports cultural events, local storytelling, and shared experiences—not just through films
but through its role as a gathering place for Kununurra. With the introduction of a museum and historical display, KPG will also become a place to preserve and share its own story, showcasing the people, events, and milestones that have shaped its legacy over the past 62 years.
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
For KPG to thrive into the future, financial sustainability is crucial. While it has survived through volunteer efforts and community generosity, securing funding for long-term growth is a priority.
This includes:
• Expanding community partnerships and sponsorship opportunities.
• Growing volunteer numbers, ensuring the workload is shared and sustainable.
• Diversifying income streams, including fundraising efforts like the GoFundMe campaign for a new projector. Community support remains essential. Donations, ticket sales, and business sponsorships will all play a role in ensuring KPG remains financially stable and able to continue improving.
First Screening of 2025 – Save the Date
KPG is officially reopening on Saturday, 29 March 2025, marking the beginning of another exciting season. The first movie screening will kick off the year in celebration
of the Picture Gardens' rich history and exciting future, welcoming the community back for another year of films under the stars.
More details on the screening will be announced soon— stay updated via www.kpg.org.au and KPG’s social media channels.
How You Can Support KPG
• KPG is built on community support, and there are plenty of ways to get involved - volunteer, help with movie nights, maintenance, or committee roles.
• Attend screenings – every ticket sold helps keep KPG running.
• Donate or Sponsor
• Support the Picture Gardens’ future through financial contributions. Help fund a new projector by contributing to their GoFundMe account.
For over six decades, KPG has been a place where stories are shared, memories are made, and the community comes together. With a clear plan for the future and the continued support of the people of Kununurra, it is set to remain a thriving part of the town’s culture and identity for many years to come.
See you at the Picture Gardens!
Kununurra Sun
Breathe Move and Heal with Yoga , ,
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO STRETCH, BREATHE, AND FIND YOUR FLOW IS COMING TO KUNUNURRA THIS MARCH AND APRIL! YOGA FACILITATOR JANA, AN 800HOUR TRAINED INSTRUCTOR, IS BRINGING HER SEVENWEEK YOGA SERIES TO THE KUNUNURRA LEISURE CENTRE, OFFERING THREE CLASSES A WEEK.
Jana’s sessions will guide participants through a dynamic vinyasa practice, seamlessly linking breath to movement while exploring the body’s subtle energy centers, known as chakras. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out, this is a chance to reconnect with yourself in a welcoming space.
Jana runs Trauma Sensitive Space, a travelling yoga practice that blends Trauma-Sensitive Yoga by TCTSY and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping.
Grounded in research by leading experts like Bessel van der Kolk and David Emerson, these methods have been shown to support those experiencing complex trauma and PTSD.
Tapping, which involves stimulating meridian points while using positive affirmations, is another powerful tool Jana incorporates into her practice.
When she’s not leading classes, Jana loves to explore remote landscapes and capture their beauty through mindfulness drone videos. Her latest creation, available on her website, showcases the breathtaking Mirima National Park from a bird’s-eye perspective, accompanied by the calls of Kununurra’s vibrant rainbow lorikeets at sunset, a familiar sound near the Kununurra Leisure Centre.
Jana believes true healing happens when we connect with ourselves, our breath, and the natural world around us. She invites you to step onto the mat and experience the power of movement, mindfulness, and spoken word.
Website: traumasensitivespace.com Book a class at KLC: klcyoga.as.me
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19):
March and April will have you hopping from one adventure to the next—just don’t end up roadkill in the chaos. You’re feeling bold, but remember, not every challenge needs to be tackled head-on. Take a breath, cool off with a Mango Town, and maybe let someone else have a turn at the karaoke mic.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20):
You’re all about the good life— sunset swims, coffee dates, and avoiding any task that involves actual effort. This month, your patience will be tested, likely by someone who doesn’t know how to reverse a boat trailer. Stay grounded like a well-rooted boab and avoid drama, unless it involves a really good story.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20):
Unpredictable as the year’s wet season rains, you’ll be shaking things up this season. One minute, you’re planning a three-day camping trip; the next, you’re in a full-blown existential crisis over whether to move back to the big smoke. Keep an eye on your energy levels—burnout is real, and no, a latte from the Kimberley Cafe won’t fix it.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22):
Home is your sanctuary, but this month, you might find yourself roped into one too many social events. It is almost the dry season after all. You’ll need to balance your craving for peace with the undeniable FOMO of missing a ripper Friday night at the pub. Your best bet? Host a backyard BBQ—then you can kick everyone out at 9pm because you need your beauty sleep.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22):
You’re strutting through March and April like you own the place, and honestly, who’s going to tell you otherwise? Maybe you’ve been throwing around heavier weights at The Betterment Centre, or perhaps kicking butt at work, whatever you’re doing— it’s working. Just don’t let it turn into arrogance—no one likes a queen with an attitude. Share the limelight and remember: even the biggest legends still need sunscreen.
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22):
Life feels like a messier-than-usual camping trip—sand in your swag, mozzie bites, and someone forgot to pack toilet paper. While you love order dear Virgo, you might have to roll with the chaos. Not everything needs to be planned to perfection; sometimes, just chuck the esky in the back of the car and see how the night ends up.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22):
You’re chasing balance like a local chasing a car park at Coles in dry season. Romance and good vibes are high on your wishlist, but don’t let indecision keep you from grabbing the opportunities floating by. Whether it’s love, work, or what to order at Thai 2 U, make a choice and own it!
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21):
Passionate, intense, and probably holding onto a grudge from a night at the pub two years ago, you’re a force to be reckoned with. But remember, not every battle is worth fighting—especially if it’s over what song DJ Scotty is going to play next. Play it cool our little Scorpio friend, and you might just find yourself on the winning side.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21):
Adventure is calling, and you’re already halfway out the door, esky packed with a few bags of chips. Just don’t forget that planning exists for a reason—unless you fancy spending a night in the middle of nowhere because you ran out of fuel. Embrace the thrill, but remember common sense. You don’t want to become the talk of the town for being flown out by helicopter.
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19):
Capricorn, you’re hustling harder than a backpacker trying to extend their visa, but don’t let ambition rob you of a good time. March and April are begging you to loosen up—chuck a sickie, go for a swim, and let yourself have a bloody break. We don’t live in this beautiful region to stare at a computer all day. No one ever said "I wish worked more" on their deathbed.
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18):
Your brain is moving at lightning speed, full of wild ideas and deep thoughts (probably trying to coordinate how to fit all the dry season events in your calendar). Just don’t get lost in dreamland—someone has to actually do the things you’re planning. And by someone, we mean you! Reel it in and make those big ideas happen.
PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20):
You’re floating through September and October like a freshie up the river, Pisces. Your emotions are all over the place, but you wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a great time to connect with others, but don’t drag them too deep into your dreamy waters. It’s always great to embrace your mystical side, but remember to snap back to Earth occasionally.
International Women s Day '
THIS YEAR, THE EAST KIMBERLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND KUNUNURRA NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE HOSTED THREE FABULOUS EVENTS TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
The events were all centred around the 2025 theme of ‘March Forward’. This powerful theme served as a call to action, urging individuals to challenge the status quo, uplift each other, and take bold steps toward a more equal future.
The day began with Morning Mindfulness with Nicole from NJD Wellbeing and Krystal from Wild Warrior Yoga. The session sparked deep conversations, empowering women to feel strong, both mentally and physically. Blak Tapas provided some delicious nibbles after the session.
The day continued at Lily Lagoon Resort for a long lunch featuring a fabulous panel session with Cathy Ward, Margot McTaggart, Katrina Jowett and Sophie Cooke. Ladies were also treated to a runway show of unique designs of East Kimberleybased creators.
The celebrations carried on into the evening at the Sip & Shop at Neighbourhood House. The Wild Brumby Line Dancers had everyone boot-scooting, while the Kununurra Choir performed songs and the dancers from Monsoon Nights shimmied through a mesmerising belly dancing performance.
The day was a resounding success, thanks to all the hard work put in and support from sponsors. We look forward to the next one!
Kununurra
Mel Gray
Mel Gray is a Kununurra local who has lived here all her life. She does heaps for the soccer club but her official role is as treasurer. In an interview with Mel we discuss what the Kununurra Junior Soccer Association is really about.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CLUB, AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
I joined about three years ago. I’ve got three boys who all love sport and soccer, so it made sense to get involved.
WHEN DOES THE SOCCER SEASON START AND END?
Our soccer season runs in Term 1 and Term 3. Games are played every Friday from 5-6 PM.
HOW MANY AGE GROUPS OR DIVISIONS DOES THE CLUB HAVE, AND HOW MANY KIDS PARTICIPATE?
We have four main divisions: Pre-Primary, Years 2-3, Years 4-6, and High School. We estimate that around 120 to 150 kids are involved, making it one of the most popular sports in town.
WHAT ARE THERE FOR KIDS TO COMPETE ELSEWHERE?
There are definitely opportunities, but they are quite far away. Last year, the closest competition was in Karratha, but we haven’t sent a team there in the last three years.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND MORE KIDS JOIN THE CLUB? IF SO, HOW CAN THEY SIGN UP?
Absolutely! We love welcoming new players. Some divisions have room, while others are at capacity. Anyone interested can contact our secretary, Leanne, to check availability and sign up.
Touchdown with Tomiets
Welcome to Touchdowns with Tomiets, where we dive into the local sporting scene and highlight the incredible people behind the game. In this edition, we chat with two key figures from the Kununurra Junior Soccer Association to get an inside look at the club’s impact, challenges, and the passion driving the sport forward.
Nathan Dyer
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE CLUB FACES?
Our biggest challenge is having enough coaches. Each team needs at least two, and while we are lucky to have a great group of parents and volunteers, more help is always appreciated.
WHO ARE SOME KEY CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CLUB?
We have a great committee who do a lot for our club, as well as our group coordinators, and team coaches. Nathan Dwyer (president), Rob Leary (vice president), Ness Black (equipment and uniform officer), Leane Wykes (treasurer), and myself are the team on the committee, plus we have about 35 other parents who coordinate, coach, and set up. We’re really fortunate to have so many parents and community members stepping up to help.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS IN TOWN?
Extremely important. Sport keeps kids active, outdoors, and engaged in a healthy way. It benefits both their physical and mental well-being, so we fully support any initiatives that promote active lifestyles.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT BEING INVOLVED IN THE CLUB?
Watching the kids play and seeing their enjoyment. Whether it's my own three boys or any of the other players, seeing their smiles when they come off the field makes it all worth it.
Nathan Dwyer is the president of the Kununurra Junior Soccer Association. In this interview, we chat about the club's growth, and the role it plays in the local community.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE KUNUNURRA JUNIOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION, AND WHAT MADE YOU TAKE ON THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT?
I’ve been involved for several years now. I first joined as a parent volunteer, and as time went on, I took on more responsibilities. I stepped into the president role because I wanted to help build and sustain a strong sporting culture for the kids in our town.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CLUB?
The club is thriving! We have a great number of kids participating across different age groups, and there’s a real enthusiasm for the game. The challenge now is ensuring we have enough resources—coaches, volunteers, and funding—to keep things running smoothly.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THE CLUB FACES?
Our biggest challenge is having enough coaches and volunteers to support all the teams. We also face logistical challenges, such as finding enough field space and ensuring we have the right equipment for all players.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS TO COMPETE OUTSIDE OF KUNUNURRA?
Yes, there are opportunities, but distance is a major challenge.
The closest competition is often in Karratha, which makes travel difficult. That said, we’re always looking for ways to give players the chance to experience higher levels of competition. For example, this year we’ve had three older high school boys who were too old to play in the junior comp last year, step up to be coaches. So now the high school comp (year 7 to year 10) is completely run and coached by those three boys, Lorenzo Palazzolo, Benny Ta, and Digby Fenell. It’s been really rewarding to see those boys step up into that leadership role, and they should be very proud of themselves.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CLUB?
Seeing the kids enjoy the game and develop their skills. There’s nothing better than watching them grow in confidence, make friends, and have fun on the field. The atmosphere on a Friday afternoon with 150 kids running around on the picturesque Ingrid Harvey Oval is amazing, you’ve got the sunset in the background and the majestic view of Kelly’s Knob (Thegoowiyang), and frankly, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to be a part of that.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES COMMUNITY SPORT SO IMPORTANT?
It gives kids a healthy outlet, teaches them teamwork and discipline, and builds a sense of community. Sport plays a crucial role in bringing people together and providing positive experiences for young people.
SPORTS STORIES BY TOMIETS KABILU
Between the Lines
STORM CHILD BY MICHAEL ROBOTHAM
REVIEWED BY EMMA DAY, KUNUNURRA SCHOOL & COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Michael Robotham is a master at weaving riveting and absorbing tales - cancel-your-social-plans and ignore-yourfamily kind of books and this one is no exception.
Storm Child came out last year and whilst I was reading it, I kept having to look and check that it was actually a fiction book and not a non-fiction one, because events happening at the time with migrant boats crossing the English Channel so closely resembled the story it was uncanny.
The story delves into the mystery of Evie Cormac’s background which has followed her into adulthood. As a child, she was discovered hiding in a secret room where a man had been tortured to death. Many of her captors and abusers escaped justice, unseen but not forgotten. Now, on a hot summer’s day, the past drags Evie back as she watches the bodies of seventeen migrants wash up on a Lincolnshire beach.
There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells
police their small boat was deliberately rammed and sunk.
Psychologist Cyrus Haven is recruited by the police to investigate the murders—but recognizes immediately that Evie has some link to the tragedy. By solving this crime, he could finally unlock the secrets of her past. But what dark forces will he set loose? And who will pay the price?
An absolutely fabulous read and I’m really excited to announce that after many years of trying, Michael is coming to this year’s Kimberley Writers Festival on 1st, 2nd and 3rd August. His new book “The White Crow” (his 20th novel) is due out the week before and we’re happy to announce that he will be launching it at the Festival.
Look out for our Festival programme to find out when Michael is speaking and make sure you book your tickets for the Gourmet Camp Oven experience where you will dine “Under the Stars with the Stars” and take a literary brunch cruise with them all up the Ord River.
KUNUNURRA SUN KITCHEN
As the partner of a fishing enthusiast, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are only two good things about fishing - 1. I get the house to myself while he sweats it out on the Lower Ord and 2. Barra tacos.
On the occasion that a barramundi makes it all the way to our fridge, the go-to people pleaser meal is always barra tacos. It’s simple, delicious and ultimately, is the perfect way for my partner to continue talking about his fishing trip. We are cheating slightly and using a packaged seasoning (because it’s so damn delicious) however a little flour, pepper, lemon and butter also works a treat.
METHOD
1. Add slaw ingredients together in a bowl, add a big squirt of chipotle aioli and squeeze of lime juice. Mix to combine.
2. Mix avocados and cherry tomatoes together and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix salsa ingredients together and add a squeeze of lime juice.
4. Put seasoning in a large bowl and roll barra fillets around in it until coated.
5. Add butter to fry pan and cook on a high heat until
INGREDIENTS
Barra bites
• Barramundi fillets (fresh is best, however any frozen white fish will do), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 x packet Tandaco
Seasoning Mix (green and yellow packet)
• Squeeze of lemon
• Butter
• Small tortilla wraps
Salsa
• Pineapple or mango, chopped
• 1 x red onion, chopped
• Handful of mint, roughly chopped
• 1 x small chilli, finely chopped
• 1 x lime
6.
7. Wrap taco shells in paper towels and
8. Divide the tortillas among plates. Top with barra fillets, slaw, salsa and avo.
9. Best enjoyed with a margarita!
Barra Tacos
THU 01 MAY
Gathering
FOOD . ENTERTAINMENT . STALLS . KIDS ACTIVITIES . SPLASH PARK OPEN*
Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
Located at the grass area in front of the Splash Park (between Aus Post and the Kununurra Visitor Centre)
*Splash Park will be open - subject to usual entry requirements