The air is feeling lighter, there’s a gentle breeze drifting through town, and the perspiration on my upper lip is now reserved for exercise - dare I say it - the dry season is well and truly here?
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.
Easter has come and gone, and the busy season is starting to pick up pace. The truckloads of tourists haven’t quite arrived yet, but we’re confident they’re on their way. After all, we do have the cheapest diesel in Australia (thanks, CGL!).
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.
While it might feel like an uncertain year, there’s still plenty to celebrate in our wonderful community. The East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted their annual Business Excellence Awards, recognising the incredible businesses in our region. The Gourmet Camp Oven Experience took out top honours at the Australian Tourism Awards, Kimberley Fine Diamonds is celebrating 35 years, and Kununurra has been named a finalist in the 7News Top Tourism Town Awards - not too bad for our little town.
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
Job Pathways is a leading Aboriginal employment and community development organisation working across the Kimberley. With services spanning employment programs, training, economic development initiatives and encompassing Revive and Wayfinder programs, the organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities that are meaningful, sustainable and grounded in community. Each year, Job Pathways supports more than 2,000 people to build skills, access training and find work, while also backing local enterprises and cultural projects. From innovative programs like the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy and Halls Creek Women’s Hub to supporting grassroots community events, Job Pathways is proud to walk alongside people on their journey to employment and empowerment.
Our events calendar is filling fast, with the Lake Argyle Swim and Ord Valley Muster kicking off this month. There are camping trips to plan, visitors to entertain, and new adventures waiting. Work might just have to fit in where it can.
We’re also excited to announce a new partnership with Alta1 Kimberley College. Keep an eye out in upcoming editions as we share stories about the important work they’re doing to support young people in our community.
Tivan is progressing the Speewah Project, Australia’s largest vanadium resource, just outside Kununurra. With a strong focus on clean energy and regional development, Tivan is committed to becoming part of the East Kimberley community by supporting local jobs, listening to Traditional Owners, and building lasting partnerships.
They’re not just investing in minerals, they’re investing in people and place.
As always, a huge thank you to our contributors who help bring each edition to life. We couldn’t do it without you.
We hope you love this edition as much as we loved putting it together.
JOBPATHWAYS.ORG.AU
As a major sponsor of the Kununurra Sun, Tivan is helping keep this beloved community magazine running and free, ensuring it continues to shine a light on local stories, voices, and spirit.
Thank you, Tivan, for helping keep the sun shining in more ways than one!
TIVAN.COM.AU
A heartfelt thank you to Bishops Transport Kununurra for their continued support and commitment in helping bring Kununurra Sun to the community, your generosity keeps local stories shining bright.
BISHOPSTRANSPORT.COM.AU
What's Inside This Edition
PAGES 6-7
Gourmet Camp Oven's
Golden Moment
PAGES 18-19
Kimberley Creative: The Bay Horse
PAGES 10-11
A Kununurra Gem: Kimberley Fine Diamonds Turns 35
PAGES 22-23
Reflections from Purnululu National Park
PAGES 14-15
Slow Down and See More with Silent Tours
PAGES 26-27
Boots, Hats & Big Cheers APA Graduates Steal the Show
Many people from everywhere come here at this time and they can see Miriwoong dancing. The men, women, and children who are good dancers all know how to dance.
MIRIWOONG TO ENGLISH TRANSLATION
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 Kununurra
We want to see how you enjoy all the East Kimberley has to offer! Share your adventures with us by using #kununurrasun across Instagram to be featured.
@WANDERINGWITHFAYTH
Team Kununurra Sun
CREATIVE DIRECTORS: EDITORIAL:
JESS BUCHAN & SEB TASI
PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN
JESS BUCHAN & SEB TASI
JESS BUCHAN, SEB TASI, DARCY MACCARTIE, EMMA MOSS, NICOLE MUIR, FAYTH BELL
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.
A Nod to Those Who Keep the Sun Shining
A Nod to Those Who Keep the Sun Shining
Kununurra Sun emerged with a vision to uplift, educate, and connect the Kununurra community.
with a
to
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 contributed 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.
and
Sun, please reach out to discuss collaboration opportunities. Let's follow the Sun, together.
The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley is the northernmost local government area in Western Australia, extending from the Northern Territory border to the northern tip of WA.
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.
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're able to continue to shine a light to all that our community has to offer.
SWEK.WA.GOV.AU
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
Job Pathways is a leading Aboriginal employment and community development organisation working across the Kimberley. With services spanning employment programs, training, economic development initiatives and encompassing Revive and Wayfinder programs, the organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities that are meaningful, sustainable and grounded in community. Each year, Job Pathways supports more than 2,000 people to build skills, access training and find work, while also backing local enterprises and cultural projects. From innovative programs like the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy and Halls Creek Women’s Hub to supporting grassroots community events, Job Pathways is proud to walk alongside people on their journey to employment and empowerment.
JOBPATHWAYS.ORG.AU
Tivan is progressing the Speewah Project, Australia's largest vanadium resource, just outside of Kununurra. With a strong focus on clean energy and regional development, Tivan is commited to becoming part of the East Kimberley community by supporting local jobs, listening to Traditional Owners, and building lasting partnerships. They're not just investing in minerals, they're investing in people an place.
Tivan is progressing the Speewah Project, Australia’s largest vanadium resource, just outside Kununurra. With a strong focus on clean energy and regional development, Tivan is committed to becoming part of the East Kimberley community by supporting local jobs, listening to Traditional Owners, and building lasting partnerships.
Job Pathways is a leading Aboriginal employment and community development organisation working across the Kimberley. With services spanning employment programs, training, economic development initiatives and encompassing Revive and Wayfinder programs, the organisation is dedicated to creating opportunities that are meaningul, sustainable and grounded in community. Each year, Job Pathways supports more than 2,000 people to build skills, access training and find work, while also backing local enterprises and cultural projects.
They’re not just investing in minerals, they’re investing in people and place.
As a major sponsor of the Kununurra Sun, Tivan is helping keep this beloved community magazine running and free, ensuring it continues to shine a light on local stories, voices, and spirit.
From innovative programs like the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy and Halls Creek Women's Hub, to supporting grassroots community events, Job Pathways is proud to walking alongside people on their journey to employment and empowerment.
Thank you, Tivan, for helping keep the sun shining in more ways than one!
JOBPATHWAYS.ORG.AU
TIVAN.COM.AU
A heartfelt thank you to Bishops Transport Kununurra for their continued support and commitment in helping bring Kununurra Sun to the community, your generosity keeps local stories shining bright.
BISHOPSTRANSPORT.COM.AU
As a sponsor of the Kununurra Sun, Tivan is helping keep this beloved community magazine running and free, ensuring it continues to shine a light on local stories, voices, and spirit.
Thank you Tivan, for helping keep the Sun shining in more wys than one!
TIVAN.COM.AU
Alta1 Kimberley College provides a supportive and flexible learning environment for girls in year 7-12 in Kununurra who find school overwhelming. As part of a network of campuses across Western Australia, the college delivers a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, relationship-based approach that combines education with wellbeing support to help students rebuild confidence, connection and a sense of purpose.
With small class sizes, personalised learning pathways and hands-on programs, Alta1 focuses on re-connecting students in learning while equipping them with practical skills and pathways for the future, all within a safe and inclusive community setting.
ALTA1.COM.AU
Kununurra Sun emerged
vision
uplift, educate, and connect the Kununurra community.
We remain steadfast in this mission. We rely on businesses
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
Gourmet Camp Oven’s Golden Moment & the Story Behind It
WORDS BY SEB TASI
The East Kimberley is continuing to make its mark on the national tourism stage, and Gourmet Camp Oven Experience is right at the centre of it.
The Gourmet Camp Oven Experience, created by local chef Josh Melville, has recently claimed gold in both the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category and the Excellence in Food Tourism category at the Australian Tourism Awards
It is a major achievement that not only recognises the business itself, but also highlights the region’s growing reputation for world-class tourism.
For Josh, the recognition is significant, but the journey to get there has been anything but conventional.
“It really started by just grabbing the
opportunity,” he says. “We’ve been winging it a bit from day one, but in a good way.”
What began as a small-scale dining experience for just nine guests has grown into a soughtafter offering hosting up to 24 people per sitting, running six days a week under the striking backdrop of Elephant Rock.
Long before Camp Gourmet Oven became an award-winning experience, Josh’s path was shaped by a mix of science, wildlife and a willingness to say yes.
Originally studying zoology and completing a first-class honours postgraduate degree in environmental science in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Josh’s early career saw him working
hands-on with animals, including training African grey parrots and macaws for outdoor shows at Rainbow Springs Wildlife Park.
“That was where I really saw how tourism and experience could come together,” he says. A quick online search for outdoor wildlife jobs led him to El Questro in 2012, where he started as a tour guide. Not long after, another pivotal moment came at Lake Argyle.
“I met Charlie Sharpe. He came on a tour and offered me a job on the spot,” Josh says. “Charlie was a huge help in getting things started.”
Lake Argyle also played another important role in Josh’s life. It is where he met his now-wife, Tamsyn.
The pair began as housemates before becoming close friends, and eventually partners. Twelve years on, they are married, tying the knot in Cyprus, and raising their two children, Finley and
Artie, in Kununurra.
“Being in town now makes a big difference,” Josh says. “With a family, having access to childcare and cafes changes everything.”
As the business has grown, so too has its structure. What was once a hands-on, all-in operation has expanded to include staff, allowing Tamsyn to step back from day-to-day duties and creating a more sustainable balance between work and family life.
At its heart, Camp Gourmet Oven is about more than just food. It is about connection. Guests are immersed in an open-air dining experience that delivers immediate feedback.
“You see it straight away,” Josh says. “That instant gratification from guests is pretty special.”
That connection is translating into loyalty, with repeat visitors becoming a defining feature of the business.
One guest, Josh notes, has returned ten times in four years, years. A testament to the experience’s impact.
A key ingredient in that success is collaboration. Camp Gourmet Oven works closely with local businesses including the Hoochery, Spinifex Brewery and Sips Sparkling. It also partners with Kimberley Fine Diamonds and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm for unique giveaways, from diamonds to pearls, reinforcing a strong commitment to supporting local.
Sustainability is equally central to the operation. The entire experience is solar powered, using solar generators and cooking with locally sourced sandalwood. The business is Eco Tourism certified and actively works to minimise waste, including donating food off-cuts to the community kitchen.
“We want to be leaders in environmental
tourism,” Josh says.
Looking ahead, the momentum shows no signs of slowing.
With the 2026 season kicking off on April 22, plans are already in motion to evolve the experience further, including the introduction of a six-course degustation menu.
For Josh, the recent awards are both a milestone and a signal of what is possible, not just for Camp Gourmet Oven, but for the East Kimberley as a whole.
“It’s not just about us,” he says. “It shows what this region can do.”
From humble beginnings to national recognition, Camp Gourmet Oven is proving that sometimes backing yourself and taking a chance is all it takes to put a place on the map.
A Kununurra Gem Kimberley Fine Diamonds Turns 35
WORDS BY NICOLE MUIR
For many of us, Kununurra wasn’t the plan. From afar, it can lack a little sparkle, its opportunities often buried. You arrive thinking it’s just a shortterm thing. For Frauke Bolten- Boshammer, it wasn’t supposed to be forever.
“My then-German husband, he was a farmer, he heard about this place, flew on his own here and fell in love. I mean, we have the wonderful soil, enough sun, enough water, there is a harbour, which was always for him very important.”
But not so much for Frauke. She says it was “very hard” to convince her to join. A home economics teacher from Germany. “He said, ‘Only for two years’.” Forty-five years later, she’s still here.
The stories are infamous, part of the social fabric of this town: a fine jewellery business that found its humble beginnings on a dusty veranda.
“I was 44. My youngest was just a year old, and I was still breastfeeding her. And I started. I never did this, you know? It was a challenge.”
From a handful of diamond rings and a few necklaces laid out at her Riverfarm Road home, the response was immediate. Early showcases sold out, helped along by Argyle mine tour groups stopping in for jewellery and homemade German baked goods. It was personal and unmistakably local.
“It was a sensation,” she remembers. “It was a sensation, yeah.”
Celebrating its 35th birthday this year, Kununurra Fine Diamonds has become one of town’s most enduring businesses.
There was no business plan, no certainty it would work. “I promised myself… if that wouldn’t go well, I’d close it and do something else.” she says. “But look at it now.”
By the early 1990s, the business had moved from the veranda to a small showcase in Brangles on Banksia Street, and then into its first proper shopfront on Papuana Street in April 1991.
Within a year, Frauke became an authorised Argyle
Diamonds agent, anchoring the business firmly to the region.
“I wanted the name ‘Kimberley Diamonds’, but that was already taken in the Derby mine. So, I added ‘Fine’,” explains Frauke. “It’s a bit long, but that's what that is.”
The name mattered. It tied the business to place – to the Kimberley and to the mine. Something people recognised.
At the time, Kununurra itself was still small(er) and close-knit.
“When we came here, about 3,000 people,” Frauke says. “We had one grocery shop… and when a new one opened, I was so delighted that I went twice a day shopping.”
There was a single shop where you could buy clothes, hats, shoes, and only a very small jewellery and giftware offering. It was a place where businesses had to be adaptable, and where locals noticed when something new appeared.
The rise of the Argyle Diamond Mine changed that landscape. It brought international attention and a sense that the region had something unique to offer. Frauke understood the opportunity.
“It’s the biggest diamond mine in the world,” Frauke ays. “And we are only one and a half hours away.”
As the mine grew, so did the business. By 1993,
an in-house jeweller had joined, allowing pieces to be made and repaired locally. By the mid-1990s, the original shop had been outgrown, and a larger premises was developed on Konkerberry Drive, reopening in 1996 with a full workshop and multiple jewellers.
Tourism and local demand worked together. Visitors came looking for Argyle diamonds, while locals marked engagements, anniversaries, and milestones with local gems, year after year.
Some of the most memorable moments were quiet.
A customer in “clean” overalls pulls out $2,500 in cash from the bib, “said he wanted something special”.
“I learned not to judge people at all,” she says. “You can’t.”
Other moments were loud, shaping the social scene of the town. Through the early and mid-1990s, Kimberley Fine Diamonds became known for its end-of-season parties and exhibitions, drawing locals together after the tourist rush had eased.
“If you got invited, you made it,” Frauke laughs.
Those gatherings reflected something deeper about doing business in Kununurra. It’s about relationships that build over time. “Without local people, you can’t do it,” Frauke says.
Helen Thorne, Manager at Kimberley Fine Diamonds, explains how local support is essential.
“Tourist businesses have that ebb and flow and are
Photos: Kimberley Fine Diamonds
set up for that,” she explains. “But a bricks and mortar shop needs to have local support in the season when we don’t have tourists walking through the door because our business isn’t set up for the internet.”
The local connection and sense of place became more important after the closure of the Argyle Diamond Mine in 2020.
“We don’t have to worry about that,” Helen says. “Frauke thought about that in the beginning and kept buying and buying as much as she could afford.”
Even now, customers come specifically looking for Argyle diamonds – particularly the rare pink stones that became synonymous with the region. “I think a lot of Australians are proud of it,” Frauke explains.
Helen agrees, “Just the premium of having that
Australian product, you know? They'll have a story: ‘Oh, my dad used to work there’ or ‘My uncle worked there’. So, it’s a real connection.
“They can get Halls Creek gold, a pearl from Cygnet Bay, a Coober Pedy opal, and an Argyle diamond and make an Australian piece. So, it’s special. It is… it’s beautiful.”
Connection and family – they’re also the building blocks inside the business.
“The family has come in and out of the business over the years,” revels Frauke. “My three daughters all have worked here. But at the moment, I think the most amount of family working here that ever worked here.”
“All of the staff that work for Frauke are treated like family,” insists Helen.
“They’re my day family,” Frauke laughs. “I spend
more time with them than with my real family.”
That sense of family has been shaped not just by work, but by life. Frauke speaks openly about loss – the death of her husband and her son – and the expectation from some that she might leave. Instead, she stayed.
“I came back here because the spirit … is here,” she says.
It speaks to something many locals understand.
Kununurra isn’t always easy, but it holds people in ways that are hard to explain from the outside.
Now, after 35 years in business, Frauke is still here, still working, still part of the daily rhythm of the shop.
“I love it. I need the interactions,” she says. “What would I do otherwise?”
Kimberley Fine Diamonds has grown alongside the town, cut by the same forces that shape everything in Kununurra – distance, opportunity, the people who choose to stay, and those who have always been here.
Like the place itself, it began small and found its way over time. A true diamond in the rough.
Slow Down and See More with Silent Tours
It’s a Tuesday morning and I should be at work. Instead, I’m cruising up the Ord River with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. It’s all part of Kununurra Sun's responsibility - do the things, then tell the people.
Today, I’m exploring the upper Ord River with Steve from Silent Tours. We’re onboard his immaculate Australian-made 5.3m Quintrex Bowrider - the only eco-accredited propelled tour boat on the Ord. Let’s just say, it's a mighty upgrade from the tinny we have at home.
Silent Tours is a locally owned and operated business offering small-group experiences across the Kununurra region, from Ord River cruises to 4WD adventures. At its core is a simple idea: slow things down and let the landscape speak for itself.
It’s a different way to explore, one that trades
packed itineraries for time, space and a more personal connection to nature.
Steve is the force behind Silent Tours. What started as a break from his work in the health sector has grown into something more intentional. Through Silent Tours, Steve focuses on helping people slow down and reconnect with the outdoors, something he saw was often missing, even in a place like Kununurra.
Since then, he’s become a qualified nature therapy guide, combining his interest in photography and four-wheel driving to create tours that encourage people to spend more time in nature.
Stepping onto Steve’s boat feels considered. Plenty of space and set up for quiet cruising. Even the two outboard motors have a purpose: one for getting there fast, one for slowing it all down. In a place known for big landscapes, Silent Tours leans into the small moments.
WORDS & PHOTOS BY JESS BUCHAN
As we cruised up the Ord, it was clear Steve is deeply passionate about wildlife and the landscape we were exploring. He pointed out birdlife we would’ve missed, subtle shifts in the rock face, and shared bits of history that felt personal, not practised.
Steve’s quiet, and that’s exactly where his tours shine. Silent Tours is built around that idea: less noise, less rushing, more time to take it in. There’s no rehearsed spiel or rigid schedule. He reads the moment, offering insight when it’s wanted and space when it’s not. Each tour is different and he says people react differently on his tours. Some immediately lean into the quiet nature of the experience, while others take awhile to wind down.
As a tinny owner, I’m well aware of how fortunate I am to have the freedom to explore the waterways that surround us. But for many of our visitors, the opportunity to travel slowly and experience the magic of the upper Ord by boat doesn’t come around. Let alone with someone who knows the region intimately.
Even though I’ve been up and down the river more times than I can remember, Steve showed us spots I didn’t know existed. Places we’d usually power past on the way to Jump Rock or Champagne Falls. It just goes to show what you can find when you slow down.
His tours are tailored to his guests - whether you’re into birdwatching or waterfalls - Steve shapes the experience to best suit their interests. If you have family or friends coming up to visit this season, send them Steve’s way. It’s a quieter way to experience the region, but one they won’t stay quiet about for long.
As for me, by the time we were heading back to the Celebrity Tree boat ramp, I felt noticeably calmer. I floated back to the office, sun-kissed and re-energised. I still had to get back to work, but it was a pretty good detour to get there.
SILENTTOURS.COM.AU
10 Steps To Becoming the Next Muster Idol Superstar
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM OUR REIGNING SINGING STAR KARLEE BROWN
STEP ONE — TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT KIND OF PERFORMER YOU’D SAY YOU ARE?
I’m 41 years old. I’ve been married for 17 years and have 2 boys. I work in education here in Kununurra. I’m outgoing and love having a bit of fun! I’d say I’m a storyteller and love to sing songs that are uplifting and good for the soul.
STEP TWO — WHAT MADE YOU ACTUALLY SIGN UP… WHAT PUSHED YOU OVER THE LINE?
The prizes! And some peer pressure from my work colleagues :) always more fun doing it with your friends.
A little bit of YOLO mindset helped too
STEP THREE — HOW DO YOU PICK THE PERFECT SONG FOR A COMP LIKE THIS?
I think it’s a combination of a few thingschoose a song that suits your vocal range, a song that you know the audience will love and is well known and a song that you know well and can sing with confidence.
STEP FOUR — HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE NERVES BEFORE GETTING UP ON STAGE AT THE PUB?
Don’t take yourself too seriously and have some fun. A few deep breaths help too!
STEP FIVE — ANY SNEAKY TIPS FOR WINNING OVER THE CROWD AT THE KUNUNURRA HOTEL?
The crowd are awesome. Just give them a good song that they can sing along too and have fun
STEP SIX — WHAT DO YOU RECKON SET YOU APART FROM EVERYONE ELSE ON THE NIGHT?
That’s a tricky one. There were other great singers on the night. I think I chose a crown pleaser of a song and one that suited my voice. Of course it could have also been my pretend bagpipe playing on the microphone too?
STEP 7 - WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE MOMENT WHEN YOU REALISE YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY WIN THIS THING?
Feel a bit sick!
STEP EIGHT — YOU WIN… NOW YOU’RE HEADING TO KIMBERLEY MOON — HOW DO YOU LEVEL UP FOR THAT STAGE?
That’s a whole other level! That was a bit scary as you have to sing with no lyrics which was a challenge. I went for a song that I was really comfortable with lyrically as I know that sometimes nerves can make you forget your lyrics!
STEP NINE — HOW DO YOU HANDLE FEELING LIKE A ROCKSTAR WITHOUT LETTING IT GET TO YOUR HEAD?
Well I try not to take myself too seriously but the truth is, there are so many talented people in the world. I feel very grateful to have won, but the world moves on pretty quickly and so do people so I enjoy it in the moment and then
move on :) no one likes or needs a big ego in town
FINAL STEP — YOUR ONE GOLDEN TIP FOR ANYONE THINKING OF BECOMING THE NEXT MUSTER IDOL?
Just have a go! The Kimberley offers so many amazing opportunities like this and being a smaller town, you might actually have a shot at winning!
At the end of the day the community love coming together and having a sing a long so even if you don’t win, you’ve done something fun for yourself and provided the community with some entertainment. Winning!
You heard it here first, folks! We look forward to seeing who will take our the Muster Idol crown this year!
Photos: Ord Valley Muster
KIMBERLEY CREATIVE
The Bay Horse
Rachel, the maker behind The Bay Horse, didn’t always imagine she’d be running her own business in Kununurra.
Originally from Longreach in Queensland, Rachel made her way north with her partner, known to most as Mulga, who worked up here for many years on stations. Like many people, what was meant to be temporary move turned into something more permanent.
Rachel and I actually went to the same school, The Glennie School in Toowoomba, with Rachel a year above me. Even back then, she had a creative streak and a well-known love for Taylor Swift that, by all accounts, has never faded.
The Bay Horse started in a pretty organic way. Rachel began by making neck scarves for friends working on stations.
Not long after, she made a pillowcase as a birthday gift for a friend, wanting to create
something a little different and personal. She shared a photo of it, had a few people ask for one of their own, and from there, things started to grow.
One of the biggest shifts for Rachel came after moving from full-time nursing into motherhood. Starting The Bay Horse became a way to hold onto something that was hers, a creative outlet that sat alongside being a mum, and something she could continue to grow and shape in her own way.
These days, her work includes the now recognisable pillowcases and blankets, often featuring western and cattle-inspired designs.
There is a real cleverness in the way Rachel brings her ideas to life, taking the patterns and turning them into something thoughtful, unique and genuinely beautiful.
Recently, she has been experimenting with patchwork style designs, creating cowboy boots
WORDS & PHOTOS BY EMMA MOSS
out of different pieces of fabric and stitching them onto T-shirts. She has since taken that a step further with a denim shirt version, which I am personally obsessed with and very excited to wear. It is the kind of design that looks effortless, but is anything but.
The process is incredibly detailed, and after spending so much time working on them, Rachel admits she might not be able to look at a cowboy boot pattern for a little while.
Inspiration does not always arrive neatly. Rachel says her ideas tend to come at random times, lying in bed or out on a walk, and once they arrive, they are hard to ignore. When she is in the middle of creating, her sewing room quickly turns into what she describes as a bit of a hurricane.
A typical day is a balance of both worlds. It starts early with a coffee and a quick run with the dogs before her son Wally wakes up. From there, it is straight outside for animals and a morning spent chasing a toddler. When Wally goes down for a sleep, Rachel grabs a cup of tea and heads to the sewing machine, before the afternoon shifts back to time outside with horses, dogs and family.
Like many small business owners, one of the biggest challenges has not been the making itself, but learning to back her own work. Letting go of worrying about what everyone else might think, and instead focusing on creating things she genuinely enjoys, has been a big part of the process.
Rachel is also just a genuinely beautiful person, and it shows in the life she has built. Together with Mulga and Wally, surrounded by their happy dogs and horses, there is a real sense of warmth and ease in everything they do. That same feeling carries through into her work.
Looking ahead, Rachel is continuing to build on what she has already created, with more of her signature pillowcases and blankets, and new designs, including cow patterns, on the way. What started as a simple gift has grown into something much bigger, shaped by creativity, confidence and a willingness to just give it a go.
Check out Rachel's beautiful handiwork on Instagram: @theb.ayhorse Website: thebayhorse.com.au
Bringing the Community Together, One BBQ at a Time
WORDS & PHOTOS BY SEB TASI
The smell of sausages on the barbecue, a footy spinning through the air and plenty of laughter echoing across the grounds made for a perfect afternoon in Kununurra at the East Kimberley Clontarf Family BBQ.
On the surface, it looked like a classic Kimberley get-together. Families catching up, kids running around, a few contested kicks of the footy. But there was something more going on beneath it all.
Hosted by the East Kimberley Clontarf Academy, the event brought together close to 50 boys, their families, teachers and a strong mix of local organisations including PCYC, Youth Policing, Garnduwa, OVAHS and Orange Sky.
It didn’t take long for the place to come alive. Kids moved from one activity to the next, families lined up for a feed, and there was no shortage of energy as games kicked off across the grounds. It was relaxed, welcoming and full of that easy Kimberley spirit.
For Clontarf, though, days like this are about more than just a good time.
“The purpose of the BBQ was to bring together as many families, academy boys, teachers and community groups as possible,” said Matt Arnold, Operations Officer. “It’s about having a fun afternoon, but also making sure families know the support that’s there for their boys.”
That sense of connection sits at the heart of the program.
While Clontarf is well known for helping boys stay in school and move into employment, what really drives its success is the network built around each student. Their family, their school and their community all play a role.
Events like the Family BBQ help strengthen those connections in a natural way. Parents can chat with staff, community groups can engage with families, and the boys can see just how many people are supporting them.
Across Australia, Clontarf supports around 12,500 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in more than 165 schools, focusing on building confidence, discipline and pathways into work and life beyond school.
In the East Kimberley, that impact has been building for years.
Since opening in 2007, the academy has become a respected part of the community. Many former students are now working locally and still connected to the program, often returning to share their experiences or lend a hand.
Those outcomes are built over time through routine, consistency and strong relationships. Much of that comes from everyday activities like early morning training, camps and sport.
“The boys’ love of sport is something we really tap into,” Mr Arnold said. “It helps get them up early, build routine and stay engaged.”
Those early starts are about more than just fitness. They help build habits that carry through to life after school, including commitment, responsibility and showing up each day.
There have been plenty of moments that highlight that progress. Staff versus student footy games continue to draw strong participation, while major milestones such as students earning their P plates reflect growing independence and confidence. The Family BBQ has now joined that list.
With a strong turnout, plenty of food and a relaxed atmosphere, it delivered exactly what it set out to do. It brought people together.
“The day ran smoothly, there was plenty of food, and most importantly everyone left smiling,” Mr Arnold said.
Looking ahead, the Clontarf program continues to grow across the Kimberley, with around 540 boys currently involved and ongoing efforts to reengage others back into school.
There is also a clear target to lift school attendance across the region to around 80 per cent.
It is an ambitious goal, but one that feels achievable with the level of support shown by families and the community.
Because in the end, Clontarf is not just about programs or statistics. It is about people. Families connecting with schools, boys building confidence, and a community coming together to support its young men.
And sometimes, it all starts with something simple. A barbecue, a footy and a good afternoon in the Kimberley sun.
Reflections from Purnululu National Park
Where have the past six months gone?
October 20th, we arrived in Kununurra and drove out to Purnululu. April 20th, we leave Purnululu to drive back to Kununurra. Exactly six months. Ask me where those six months went and I wouldn't know where to start. Out here the calendar becomes irrelevant quickly. You just live and then suddenly it's time to go.
This is my second wet season caretaking in Purnululu National Park, which means I have now spent a year of my life living out here, deep in one of Australia’s most ancient and extraordinary landscapes, with little company beyond my partner, a green tree frog and kingfisher that visits us every day. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.
People often ask what we do out here for six months with no tourists, no town, no routine besides the one you create for yourself. The honest answer is that you fall into the rhythm of the place. You watch the wet season build, the creek rise, the waterfalls come to life.
You start talking to the animals like they're people because, for long stretches, they're the only ones around. You eat all your chocolate within the first week and spend the next three wondering why you never learn to either buy more or pace yourself.
This year we recorded over 1200mm of rainfall, a very wet season compared to last season. The creek never ran dry, and even now as we prepare to leave, it is still quietly trickling over the rocks.
There were three consecutive weeks where the roads were completely impassable. A staph infection required an emergency hospital run. We bought a thirty dollar inflatable raft and floated down Bellburn Creek, lying back watching the busy birds fly above us. We floated the Frank River and looked up to find forty red-tailed black cockatoos watching us from the trees.
We caught black bream and discovered that it tastes remarkably like crab. Kingfishers nested, barred finches nested, baby children's pythons made themselves at home around the lodge, and the same family of green tree frogs emerged from the pipes onto the deck, right on schedule, just as they had the season before.
Christmas Eve, the creek flooded. So, on Christmas Day as it subsided, we set up a table right in the middle of it, with games, music, and floaties while the water flowed past our feet.
A bread maker arrived as a Christmas gift that week, and I cannot overstate what fresh bread every morning does for morale in a remote national park. My brother came to visit, including a memorable fall flat on his back on the walk into Cathedral Gorge, and still loved it enough to sign up for a job at the lodge for the coming tourist season. We take full credit.
Last year, we didn't meet many traditional owners during our time caretaking. It sat quietly with us, this awareness that we were living on country that belongs to the Gija and Jaru people. This year was different. My partner is a photographer
Photos: Kununurra Parkrun Facebook
WORDS & PHOTOS BY FAYTH BELL
and videographer working on a project supporting traditional owners returning to country, and what unfolded was one of the most meaningful experiences of our time out here.
We hosted bush camps at the lodge, primary school children from Frog Hollow community came out with elders, on country their families have called home for thousands of years.
High school students followed with different elders. Then people from Warmun Arts Centre came out too. By the end of the wet season, we had welcomed over 40 traditional owners back to Purnululu. We listened, and we learned more about this place than six months of solitude alone could have taught us.
Meeting the traditional owners of the country you are caretaking on deepened the experience here in ways that are hard to put into words.
After this season we can say with certainty that those connections were the most meaningful part of our six months here. We are grateful for every visit and every conversation shared and we hope these trips back onto country are only just beginning.
After cyclone Narelle passed, the season shifted almost like a switch. Cold desert nights crept in, the duvet back on the bed, wildflowers began to bloom, not a cloud in the sky and the creek slowed to a crystal clear trickle.
We were ticking off the final jobs on the caretaking list one by one, nearly ticked everything off and then the main water pump died.
You genuinely cannot make it up!
One last test before we go. The park is getting ready to welcome its tourist back, and we are getting ready to hand it over.
On April 20th we fly to Mitchell Plateau to begin a new season.
A full year of my life spent in Purnululu, and somehow it still doesn’t feel like enough time. We leave with full hearts and a deep gratitude for everything this wild, ancient, irreplaceable place has given us.
Until next time, Bungles.
A New Way to Study
FOR A LONG TIME IN KUNUNURRA, GOING TO UNIVERSITY HAS USUALLY MEANT ONE THING: LEAVING. LEAVING HOME, LEAVING FAMILY, AND OFTEN HEADING THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES AWAY TO PERTH OR BEYOND.
For some, that’s part of the appeal. It’s a chance to see something different, meet new people, and experience life outside the region. But for others, it’s a big ask, and sometimes it’s the reason study never happens at all.
That’s where the Pilbara Kimberley University Centre’s new Kununurra Study Hub is starting to change the picture. Because now, leaving isn’t the only option.
The new hub means locals can study university courses from Kununurra without packing up their lives, staying close to family, staying connected to community, and still getting a qualification. And in a place like this, that matters.
Life in the East Kimberley isn’t just about where you live, it’s about how you live. Early mornings, time outdoors, weekends on the river or out bush. For many people, that lifestyle is a big part of why they’re here.
Until now, going to university has often meant putting that on hold. The study hub offers a different way, one where people can keep that balance while working towards something new.
It also opens doors for people who might not fit the “school leaver heading to uni” mould.
For parents, it can be the difference between study being impossible and actually achievable. Instead of relocating a whole family or trying to juggle everything from afar, they can study locally, around school drop-offs, work commitments, and everything else that comes with day-to-day life.
For others, it’s a second chance. People who went straight into work, or who’ve been in the workforce for years, now have a way to upskill or change direction without starting over
somewhere else. That flexibility is a big part of what makes the hub different.
Students can enrol in courses from universities across Australia and complete them from Kununurra, with a proper place to study, reliable internet, and local support when they need it. It’s not about replacing the traditional university experience, it’s about offering another pathway alongside it, one that fits the reality of living in a regional and remote community.
There’s also a flow-on effect for the town itself. Kununurra, like many regional centres, faces ongoing challenges when it comes to filling skilled roles. Teachers, nurses, and other professionals are often brought in from elsewhere, and keeping them long term can be difficult.
The idea behind the study hub is simple: if people can train here, there’s a better chance they’ll stay here. Over time, that could mean more locals stepping into those roles, and more skills staying in the region.
It’s still early days for the Kununurra Study Hub, and it will take time to see how it’s used and who it reaches. But even now, it’s clear that something has shifted.
For a long time, the path to further education has pointed away from Kununurra. Now, it doesn’t have to.
You can still leave, and for many, that will always be the right choice. But for those who want to stay, keep their lifestyle, support their families, and study at the same time, there’s finally another option.
And that might open the door for more people than ever before.
Big Ideas, Strong Women: The Hub Begins with Community Voices
There was a powerful sense of connection, strength and possibility in the room on Friday, March 27, as the very first Kununurra Women’s Hub community consultation brought women together from across the region.
Around 60 women of all ages and backgrounds walked through the doors, coming together to share stories, ideas and hopes for what the Women’s Hub could become. From the very beginning, it was clear this was more than just a consultation; it was a space for women to be heard.
Delivered by Job Pathways in partnership with Maganda Makers and BBY, the session focused on listening. Creating a safe and open environment, the consultation gave women the opportunity to speak honestly about what they need, what matters most, and what will make the hub truly meaningful for the Kununurra community.
Throughout the day, powerful themes emerged. Women spoke about the importance of having a space where they feel safe, supported and heard. A place where young women can build independence and life skills, and where opportunities for growth, connection and empowerment are accessible to all.
The room was filled with laughter, honest
conversations, moments of reflection, and a shared sense of purpose.
Lily Atkinson from Job Pathways reflected on the day, saying, “Today’s community consultation was beautiful. We saw women connecting with women, sharing stories, sharing ideas, and just being heard. This is an exciting start for the KNX community, and I hope we can nurture and watch this project grow over the coming years.”
Events like this highlight the strength of community when women are given the space to come together, speak openly and shape their own future.
With the support of co-facilitators Maganda Makers and BBY, and catering by Blak Tapas, the consultation marked an important first step in codesigning a Women’s Hub that truly reflects the voices, needs and aspirations of local women. And this is only the beginning.
As momentum continues to build, community members are encouraged to keep an eye out for future consultations and opportunities to be involved in shaping the hub. The vision is clear, and it is being led by the voices of Kununurra women themselves.
If the first consultation was anything to go by, the future of the Women’s Hub is not only strong—but deeply connected, community-driven and full of possibility.
JOB PATHWAYS
Boots, Hats & Big Cheers: APA Grads Steal the Show
JOB PATHWAYS
There was plenty to celebrate on Friday, March 20, as the latest group of Aboriginal Pastoral Academy (APA) participants officially graduated, marking the end of an incredible journey and the start of an exciting new one.
Smiles were wide, families gathered proudly, and the room was filled with laughter and applause as graduates were recognised for their hard work, resilience and determination.
Delivered by Job Pathways in partnership with industry, community and government, the APA is all about creating real opportunities for young Aboriginal people to build careers on Country. Through hands-on training, mentoring and strong employment pathways, the program gives participants the skills and confidence to take their next steps in the pastoral industry, and beyond.
This year’s program was supported by key partners; HGH Contractors, Bina-Waji Nyurra-nga Aboriginal Corporation, and Mistake Creek Station, who each played an important role in shaping the journey. From practical, on-the-ground training to cultural guidance and support, these partnerships help bring the program to life.
And what a journey it has been.
Throughout the program, participants showed plenty of grit. They stepped outside their comfort zones, took on new challenges and backed themselves every step of the way. Along the journey, they built not only practical skills, but confidence, independence and a strong sense of pride in what they can achieve.
The graduation itself was more than just a ceremony; it was a celebration of community.
Family members, friends, employers, and supporters came together to recognise the achievements of the graduates, creating an atmosphere full of pride and encouragement. Moments like this highlight just how important programs like the APA are. It is not just about training, it is about opening doors, building confidence, and creating pathways that can change lives.
For the graduates, this milestone is only the beginning.
With new skills under their belts, strong support
networks behind them and big goals ahead, they are ready to take on whatever comes next.
Whether that means stepping straight into work on pastoral stations or continuing their training, the future is full of possibility.
And judging by the energy in the room on graduation day, one thing is certain, these young station workers are just getting started.
JOBPATHWAYS.COM.AU
Photos: Job Pathways
Stars, Stories & Standout Businesses
If you’re going to celebrate local business in the East Kimberley, you may as well do it properly. The East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EKCCI) did just that, hosting the 2026 Business Excellence Awards under a sky full of stars.
The Kununurra Sun was there on the night, and what a night it was. With a theme inspired by the upcoming 2028 Eclipse, the evening felt fitting while we sat beneath the stars, surrounded by the people who keep this region moving.
The Kununurra Sun were incredibly honoured to be nominated for the Community Purpose Award. A genuine thank you to whoever put our name forward.
The competition was strong, with Wyndham Aboriginal Youth Corporation (WYAC) taking home the award and also claiming Business of the Year. Double trouble.
But the night was far bigger than any single winner. It was a showcase of the resilience, creativity and strength of businesses across the East Kimberley.
This year’s winners included:
Innovation: Ord River District Co-operative Ltd
Community Purpose: Wyndham Aboriginal Youth Corporation
Business Person of the Year: Eloise Baker, The Kimberley General Store Business of the Year: Wyndham Aboriginal Youth Corporation
Beyond the awards themselves, one of the standout highlights of the night was the food — courtesy of Blak Tapas. And yes, it deserves its own paragraph. Rich, bold, and ridiculously good, it was the kind of meal that had people quietly
WORDS BY SEB TASI
reconsidering their table manners as they went back for seconds (and thirds).
More than anything, the evening carried a strong sense of perspective. The past few years have not been easy for the region. From the Fitzroy Crossing bridge to COVID and now the fuel challenges, there has been no shortage of obstacles. Yet the consistent message throughout the night was clear: There is real strength in this community when people come together.
That sentiment came through in speeches from EKCCI and was echoed by Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna. It is a reminder that progress here is rarely individual. It is built collectively.
For us at the Kununurra Sun, it made the night even more meaningful. As we move into our fourth year of publication, our focus remains the same. We are here to tell the stories of the East Kimberley and the people behind them.
It was a night to celebrate local business, but also to acknowledge the wider community that supports it. Every purchase, every recommendation, every bit of support helps shape a stronger region.
Under a Kimberley sky full of stars, it was a pretty special reminder of what we are all building together.
Photos: EKCCI
Canines of Kununurra
REACH
N AM E Sully
AGE: 3
BREED: Kelpie
WHAT’S YOUR JOB IN THE HOUSEHOLD?
Greeting people and their four-legged friends at Ivanhoe Café, otherwise I like to pretend I’m herding the chooks
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE KUNUNURRA HANGOUT?
Under the mango trees at the café, else joining my dog friends and their owners for a walk along the M1 channel
A REGULAR DAY FOR ME LOOKS LIKE...
Playing with my cat siblings until I have people around to give me a belly rub. Sometimes riding on the back of the ute when my Dad takes me to the farm or having a paddle in the pool or the channel
MY FAVOURITE TOY TO CHEW
An old but still soft Mike Wazowski plush (Sully <3 Mike)
WHAT'S MY HIDDEN TALENT?
I am a pro at one-dog soccer and can kick and nose a ball myself faster than any of my humans can!
There's A New Book Club in Town
Kununurra School & Community Library is excited to announce we have received generous funding support from Apex Kununurra, allowing the library to expand its collection to include book club sets for the community to enjoy.
Selected based on feedback from attendees at last November’s Novel Night Out, the new titles reflect what local readers are eager to dive into.
Even better, the collection includes two sets by authors attending this year’s Kimberley Writers Festival - perfect for readers wanting to engage with the festival.
Book clubs, made easy - each set includes with conversation cards and discussion notes - so you can focus on enjoying the story and sharing ideas.
The new titles include a range of genres and a diverse of authors:
• Enclave by Claire G. Coleman
• Weyward by Emilia Hart
• One Hundred Years of Betty by Debra Oswald
• My Friends by Fredrik Backman
• There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
• Greenwood by Michael Christie
• Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Are you a Book Club looking for a place to meet? Or perhaps you're looking for one to join. Get in touch with Ainslee at ainslee.wight@swek.wa.gov.au to find out how you can be part of Kununurra’s growing community of readers.
Book Review
SAFIYYAH'S WAR - HIBA NOOR KHAN REVIEW BY
OUR KIDS CORRESPONDENT - GRACE JONES
Some of the main characters in Safiyyah's War are Safiyyah, a young, brave, courageous girl who will do anything to stop war spreading into Paris.
Baba, Safiyyah’s dad, a brave monsieur who forges fake birth certificates and IDs for Jewish people in Paris. And finally, Hana, a girl who doesn’t speak much at first but then once warmed up, is filled with loads of great ideas, she is also Safiyyah’s cousin and one of her best friends.
When war spreads into Paris and innocent people are getting arrested Safiyyahs, family stands up, bringing hope, smiles and exciting/ terrifying adventures. This story feels very real and believable and is told from Safiyyah’s point of view.
This book is about sad times, war and destruction and then a light of hope, courage and a young girl who carries illegal messages
around Paris, relying solely on hope and her safe hijab. The characters in this book are cleverly crafted, and along the way you will be laughing, crying and feeling for them as they go through problems that could happen in the real world.
As well as feeling like you're best friends with the characters you can also feel as though you’re
there in the scene, as the wonderful words pull you into the depths of the storyline.
If you are interested in reading this book you can find it at the amazing local Kununurra library!
