MAF – Supporting Future Generations in Arnhem Land
It’s April and the wet season is still in full swing here in Arnhem Land. November sees the start of the wet season and it usually ends in May. During this time the roads get boggy which renders transport by road challenging and sometimes impossible. This places a huge demand on MAF planes to be the link between the major communities of Gove, Elcho, Lake Evella, Ramingining, Milingimbi and the many homelands of Arnhem Land.
Mäpuru Christian School
Mäpuru is a small homeland south of Elcho Island with roughly 120 residents. During the dry season the school uses the road to transport goods and during the wet season they call upon MAF. This wet season has had very challenging conditions, which has resulted in an increased number of flights. From the 21st February until the 12th March this year, which is less than three weeks, MAF delivered 3670kg of food to Mäpuru Christian School alone.
It all started 10 years ago when there was a lack of affordable food for the residents of Mäpuru and so, under the initiative of and funding by Mäpuru’s elders, the Teacher in Charge, Jackie Ŋuluwiḏi, opened a shop to provide healthy food at affordable prices in the school. The students have now taken over the day to day running of the shop. They are using their English and maths lessons to complete stock takes, order goods over the telephone and write up invoices to provide a much needed service to the local residents, but to run the shop, supplies are needed!
The students were ready to unload MQI, their bikes and the troopy are on hand to get the food back to school.
MAF Pilot Scott Walmsley says “It’s such a great initiative, the Secondary students are totally responsible for the shop. They manage the accounts, make bookings and then we collect their order from the airport. The shop provides the students with practical application and when it comes to literacy, math and bookkeeping the school students are miles ahead of their counterparts”
Gäwa Christian School
In April pilot Scott Walmsley using MQI transported a number of visitors from Gäwa Christian School to Elcho Island. MAF are proud to support the Gäwa Christian School. It’s a great partnership and our pilots do all they can to support future generations.
MAF pilot Ian Purdey, recently flew a relief teacher into Gäwa and had about an hour or two wait before flying back another teacher who was supporting the school temporarily. Ian arrived at the school at lunchtime and the school offered Ian a school dinner in return for a short lesson with the Year 4 & 5 children. Ian happily accepted their offer and after lunch Ian went into the classroom to talk to the students. They asked questions about being a pilot and Ian showed the children what MAF pilots do! He demonstrated how to complete aircraft inspections, how to climb in, put their seatbelts on and get the aircraft ready for take-off. The Children had a great time and Ian did too.
Rachel Joy Herweynen – Teaching principal, GAWA Christian School
Thanks MAF!
MAF are one of our amazing partners, blessing us with their wings. It is always exciting seeing a MAF plane land on the Gäwa airstrip and anticipating which friendly pilot has come this time. This term, MAF flew in a total of 12 school visitors and flew out 3 staff families for a Nhulunbuy weekend break. They help keep us well connected throughout these remote parts of Arnhem Land. They are able to help with urgent medical help in town too. Mika, one of our young Mayawa students hitched a ride on a MAF plane with his family to get help for his swollen throat. We were also blessed to have MAF pilot Ian come into the classroom and teach the kids how he boards the plane and gets it ready for take-off. They had a go at Ian’s routine. “Clear Prop!” Our young ones are keen to get into the cockpit and have a go.
MAF Pilot Ian Purdey checking in his passengers at Gäwa.
Keeping MQI in the sky
MQI has just gone out to Darwin for a Check 2 inspection. A Check 2 is a routine inspection that covers a wing and a 100-hour engine inspection. Under new regulations we aren’t able to conduct these checks here. However, a project team has been established and they are working towards approval for us to complete maintenance on MQI in future. Once approved MAF will be able to conduct mandatory inspections and routine maintenance in Gove. Approval will also means that MQI won’t need to travel 3 hours to Darwin for inspections. Instead it can do more of what the plane does best; supporting future generations here in Arnhem Land!
