The crew of HMAS Warramunga has arrived in the in-land Northern Territory town of Tennant Creek to spend the weekend with the ship’s namesake Aboriginal tribe, the Warumungu People.
Sixty-six Sailors and Officers from the Anzac Class Frigate have travelled to the remote township to continue building on the strong relationship shared by crew of the Western Australia based Warship and the Indigenous Australian tribe.
The visit kicked off yesterday with an official ‘Welcome to Country’ performed by the local Warumungu People, followed by an AFL Football match featuring the ship’s crew and members of the Tennant Creek indigenous community.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Warramunga , Commander Michael Turner, said Australian Rules Football was a passion commonly shared between the two groups.
“Most of my crew are big football fans by virtue of the fact that they live in Western Australia. But, more importantly, football has been used to great affect in Tennant Creek to help keep kids in education. It has lead to significant positive progress in this community.’
“Through sport, we have further strengthened the deep bond shared between the Warumungu People, and the crew of HMAS Warramunga. This relationship is something we are very proud of, and this visit to our friends in the tribe means a lot to all of us,” said Commander Turner.
Today the visit will continue when the Warumungu People take members of the ship’s company ‘out bush’, to teach them how to hunt and gather, cook bush tucker, and treat ailments with bush medicine.
The visit represents a ‘fish out of water’ experience for the Navy crew, who are gaining a rare and privileged glimpse into Aboriginal culture through the eyes of the Warumungu People.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, September 24, 2012; Image: Australian Navy