Northeast Arnhem Land Gapuwiyak community waves goodbye to AACAP soldiers

A landmark program that shares knowledge and skills between remote NT communities and the Australian Defence Force is celebrating its 25th year. Read how it is changing lives for the better.

About 500km east of Darwin, ADF soldiers will be soon saying goodbye to a community they have called home for about five months.

Gapuwiyak, also known as Lake Evella, is the 48th community to participate in the 25-year Army Aboriginal community Assistance Program.

As a way of sharing skill, knowledge and culture AACAP soldiers are invited into a community for an extended period of time to help in any way the community requests.

The centrepiece, a lasting legacy, of the ADF’s time spent in the Gapuwiyak community is the new independent youth centre – a recreational space.

Gapuwiyak children play by Lake Evella, which sits on the edge of the community, in northeast Arnhem Land.

But community members are not the only ones benefiting from the army help.

Margaret Marrkula said ADF members were taught how to hunt, harvest bush medicine, find bush food and also shared storytelling.

“They’re like my friends, like my brother or sister,” the Gapuwiyak woman said.

“It’s going to be a very very sad day, we will miss them, we loved them and cared for them when they were here.”

Gapuwiyak woman Margaret Marrkula says she will miss the ADF soldiers being in the community because they became her friends. She stands in front of Lake Evella. Picture: Floss Adams.

She said the new local hub would become a place where kids could spend time off the streets and stay out of trouble.

“Gapuwiyak has to be a good place to live, for our children for the future,” Ms Marrkula said.

The ADF leaving the community marked the program’s silver jubilee.

The exchange of skills and culture between the two groups of people in Gapuwiyak and the undying bond left behind epitomises the value of it.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said the core purpose was to listen to the needs and desires of the community and help achieve its goals.

Lieutenant General Simon Stuart spoke about the success of the 25 year long program AACAP. Picture: Floss Adams.

“It’s brought people together. It’s soldiers together with parts of the community we serve,” Lieutenant Stuart said.

“They leave as richer people with a much deeper understanding of Indigenous culture.

“I’m incredibly proud of our people, they’ve made a real connection here, they’ve been welcomed into the family and that’s a huge privilege.”

Kara Munyarryun and Jamsie Gurruwiwi with their daughter Kyriesha stand in the nearly finished independent Youth Centre which their daughter will use. Picture: Floss Adams.

Throughout its 25 years, the project has delivered vital infrastructure such as health clinics, roads and housing.

In the Arnhem Land community, beside the picturesque Lake Evella, Indigenous community members and AACAP soldiers have worked long hours to build the local youth centre.

Harlowe Arden runs the new child and family intensive support program which has recently been funded for the community.

She says she is “really impressed” with how the army built relationships and worked with the community.

East Arnhem Regional Council Trauma Informed Care Coordinator Harlowe Arden runs a child and family support program in the Gapuwiyak community. Picture: Floss Adams.

“It’s been really positive,” the East Arnhem Regional Council Trauma Informed Care Coordinator said.

“They’ve been really willing to jump in and help with unexpected things when they’ve been available to so people have really appreciated that, but the community functioned before they were here and it’ll keep functioning.

“I’m sure people will miss them because lots of people made some good friendships with them.”

See the gallery below

Gapuwiyak children play by Lake Evella, which sits on the edge of the community, in northeast Arnhem Land.

Gapuwiyak children play by Lake Evella, which sits on the edge of the community, in northeast Arnhem Land.

A generic image of the Lake Evella where the Gapuwiyak community exists on its shores. Picture: Floss Adams.

Defence members inspect Camp Birt, the temporary sleeping and recreation quarters the ADF established in Gapuwiyak for AACAP. Picture: Floss Adams.

Camp Birt can sleep up to 130 personnel. Picture: Floss Adams.

ADF sapper Selwyn Anderson stands under the roof of the independent Youth Centre he and his team have been working on. Picture: Floss Adams.

Captain Jordan Locke participated in AACAP in Gapuwiyak. Picture: Floss Adams.

Defence and distinguished guests view the soon-to-be independent Youth Centre in Gapuwiyak NT. Picture: Floss Adams.

Gapuwiyak community exists on its shores the shores of Lake Evalla. Picture: Floss Adams.

Major Donald Robertson has led the AACAP operation in the Gapuwiyak community. Picture: Floss Adams.

Gapuwiyak boy Abraham Ganambarr holding a File Snake at the AACAP closing ceremony. Picture: Floss Adams.

Sergeant Mark Carrington and his son Ben touching a snake Gapuwiyak boy Abraham Ganambarr caught. Picture: Floss Adams.

Gapuwiyak boy Abraham Ganambarr holding a File Snake at the AACAP closing ceremony. Picture: Floss Adams.

Leiutent General Simon Stuart and NIAA’s Group Manager for the Truth Telling Taskforce Andrea Kelly sign a memorandum of understanding between NIAA and Defence that will continue AACAP into the future. Picture: Floss Adams.

Sen Acpo Manuel Niki, constable Tania Boiteau and sergeant Mark Carrington in Gapuwiyak NT. Picture: Floss Adams.

Jennifer Marrkula, Margaret Marrkula, Sgt Lisa Stone and Albina Marrkula at the AACAP closing ceremony. Picture: Floss Adams.

Sapper Andrew Taylor watches the closing AACAP ceremony take place. Picture: Floss Adams.

The ADF band plays at the closing ceremony of AACAP in Gapuwiyak. Picture: Floss Adams.

Gapuwiyak woman Jennifer Marrkula and Sgt Lisa Stone sitting together for the closing ceremony of AACAP in the community. Picture: Floss Adams

A camp dog in Gapuwiyak with ADF soldiers involved in the AACAP program standing in the background. Picture: Floss Adams

Gapuwiyak children play by Lake Evella, which sits on the edge of the community, in northeast Arnhem Land. Picture: Floss Adams.

Gapuwiyak children play by Lake Evella, which sits on the edge of the community, in northeast Arnhem Land. Picture: Floss Adams

Lance Corporal Jacob Fitton at Camp Birt where more than 100 soldiers slept in Gapuwiyak. Picture: Floss Adams.