Arnhem Land’s vast distances and scattered communities can challenge even the most determined, and air travel isn’t a luxury – it’s essential.
For Renelle Gandjitjiwuy Gondarra, a Community Support Worker at Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, MAF’s Regular Passenger Transport service (RPT) is a vital part of her work in public health and Social & Emotional Well Being (SEWB) services.
“I work with a couple of departments,” she says. “One is public health, and the other one is Social & Emotional Well Being Services. Two weeks I do with SEWB and another two weeks with public health, working with my own people.”
Based in Nhulunbuy town, Renelle regularly travels on health outreaches to communities like Yirrkala and Gunyaŋara, accessible by road, and Galiwin’ku, Elcho Island.
For Renelle, the choice for transport to Elcho Island is clear.
“I usually fly with MAF on the RPT and back. I wouldn’t go on a boat. I’d rather be in a big plane like MAF.”
Her homeland, Barrkira, is just a 10-minute flight from Gove, but a gruelling 2.5-hour drive. In remote Australia, those few minutes saved can mean more time delivering care, more consistent services, and a safer journey.
I wouldn’t go on a boat. I’d rather be in a big plane like MAF.
Miwatj Health is one of many Aboriginal-controlled health services supporting remote areas. With few hospitals and limited infrastructure in the region, Miwatj provides fixed-clinic care and outreach to homelands, made possible by reliable, scheduled air services.
Air travel, particularly scheduled and cost-effective shuttle flights, enables various health and social services to deploy people and resources efficiently, and it's also about safety and accessibility. For places like Galiwin’ku located on an island, traveling by boat isn’t always safe or reliable. The plane offers a secure, timely alternative.
Renelle favours the larger Cessna Caravans, such as VH-MFD, over the smaller, utilitarian GA8 Airvans.
“I was supposed to come on the small plane on Friday,” Renelle says, smiling. “But I said no. Can you put me on the big plane?”
In this part of the world, every flight is more than just a journey – it’s a connection, a service, and often, a lifeline.
