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Communities

Barunga is famous for the Barunga Festival, a 3-day celebration of Aboriginal culture, with traditional dance and music performances, art exhibitions, workshops, sports competitions and cultural talks.

At the 1988 Barunga Festival, the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke was presented with, and signed, The Barunga Statement. The statement called for the recognition of Indigenous land rights, the establishment of a Treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and the implementation of a national policy of self-determination for Indigenous Australians.

Between 1913 – 1945, the Maranboy Tin Mine was the centre of employment and a growing population. In 1947, the Government bought the area as Beswick Station and used it as a WWII Native Training Centre.

In 1991, the Jawoyn Association were given their lands back and hold the Native Title.

The Beswick Falls is a scared and beautiful waterfall where local mob fish alongside freshwater crocodiles.

As with Beswick, Manyallaluk was linked to the Maranboy Tin Mine. Alongside this in the 1940s, a cattle station was established, and local people were employed to catch wild buffalo.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Manyallaluk was well-known for its cultural tours and Arts Centre.

The town sits alongside the small community of Weemol and includes a school, health clinic, police station and an all-weather airstrip.

Bulman has an interesting claim to fame. The Hemsworth brothers spent some of their childhood there while their parents ran the community store!

The Binjari Community Aboriginal Corporation (BCAC) manages the interests of the local people and runs a health clinic, postal service, housing, transport and social services.