‘Kakadu is one of the best places on Earth’

COLIN Harris, 11, is the future of Jabiru. He is also among the town’s worried locals who are depending on government help

Jabiru locals Reuben Thurbon, Colin Harris and Gedgey sit in a golf buggy at the Jabiru Golf Club on Thursday, November1, 2018 Picture: Keri Megelus

ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD Colin Harris is the future of Jabiru.

The keen schoolboy golfer loves growing up in Jabiru and says he and his school chums love their town and would not want anything to happen to it.

When he hasn’t got his head in his schoolbooks you will find him swinging a club on Jabiru’s nine-hole golf course.

“It is a great place and living here is fun,” he said.

“I like being here and I like playing golf with everyone.”

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Reubon Thurbon has just turned 22 and is also loving life in Jabiru. He only moved there about three months ago.

“I moved to escape the Perth rat race,” he said.

“It is just so good living in this place and Kakadu is brilliant. Jabiru has such a great lifestyle and I have no plans to leave. I can see myself staying.”

Golfing buddy Gedgey gave up life in the Tweed Valley in New South Wales to start a new life in the north.

He arrived in 2004 and has been in the West Arnhem region ever since.

“Coming to the Northern Territory was the best decision I ever made,” he said.

“I spent a lot years teaching and training people in Gunbalanya in various trade areas.

“The people are wonderful and it was a great experience.

“They loved learning and getting new trade and construction skills and I loved being there.

“Now I am in Jabiru and working on the environment side of the mine rehabilitation which I also love.

“Jabiru is an absolute gem of a town.

“It’s a good community where everyone pretty much gets on without many problems.

“It could have a brilliant future if the Federal Government puts in money to the masterplan to reinvigorate the place.

“I can understand why tourism will be so big if the redevelopment happens.

“Kakadu is one of the best places on earth. Living here I have been able to get out and see everything that it has to offer. And there is plenty. But we need more tourists to keep this town going.

“We’re stuffed if the Prime Minister doesn’t help with funding.”