Basketball court brings new life to flood ravaged community

By PETER ROWE

An amazing Indigenous-designed basketball court has emerged like a phoenix promoting new life in the northern WA community of Wangkatjungka.

With much of the area destroyed or damaged by severe flooding in January 2023 essential support was needed to assist so many flood-affected communities cities across the Fitzroy Valley.

In Wangkatjungka, a community 100km from Fitzroy Crossing, elders got together with community groups to transform the dilapidated basketball court.

The result is amazing, all brought about by the collaboration of several groups, including Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, the House of Darwin (through their Hoop Dreams Initiative), and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit Australia).

“We pulled together something really significant in a short period of time and the benefit to the community has already been evident. The principal of Wangkatjungka Remote Community School, Hamish Etheridge said.

“It’s inspiring to see children, teenagers, parents and Elders out on the courts playing basketball in the afternoons, the positive impact on everyone’s wellbeing is clear to see.”

Kurungal Council chief executive Catherine Ridley was also amazed at how it all came together.

“From the start of this project everyone came together with the focus of supporting Wangkatjungka community people,” she said.

“We have not had something as exciting and empowering as this for our community for some time and this sets the tone for bigger and better things to come for us.

“The positive impact for our community started even before the official opening as young people were so eager to try the refurbished court and rings out, on the inviting bright and colourful mural design of course.”

Zaccariah Cox, Executive Manager Integrated Support Services at KAMS, highlighted the importance of continued investment in Aboriginal communities and in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

“When we began working in Wangkatjungka, it quickly became clear that there were serious gaps in infrastructure and a lack of service investment,” he said.

“The community has shown that community strength, resilience, and empowerment are at the heart of creating lasting change.

“This initiative highlights the value of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations working on the ground in partnership with communities, setting a benchmark for what all levels of government should prioritise for delivery in remote Aboriginal communities.”

The refurbished basketball court is an important space for the Wangkatjungka community. It provides a place for young people to participate in recreational activities, express their cultural identity, and connect with others.

This initiative showcases the power of community-led approaches to promoting health and wellbeing and demonstrates the importance of continued investment in SEWB services across the Fitzroy Valley.