Of interest to me because 1980-83 I was in charge of Mornington Island Police Station (Gulf of Carpentaria) (Aboriginal Community) within the Mount Isla Police District. The District Headquarters was at Mount Isa. Mornington Island was a two officer station and I had five aboriginal police under my control. Myself and family including of three young girls (then) lived next to the police station and the girls attended the local primary school - approx. 250 aboriginal children. Our food came by barge from Cairns around Cape York monthly. There was no television and no telephone. Our contact with the mainland was via radio. The flying doctor attended. Night evacuations were undertaken by placing diesel filled paint cans with rag in up the sides of the airstrip and lighting them to guide the flying doctor in. When the flying doctor was about to cross the mainland I would climb a large tower and turn on a large revolving blue light to guide the flying doctor. Being Officer in Charge I also performed many other duties apart from investigations, arrests, general policing - eg. Watchouse Keeper, Prosecutor, Clerk of the Court and may other extraneous duties. When myself and family left we were given a huge farewell by locals and I can only say we have the fondest memories and were afforded the highest respect by the community - in often very difficult and hard to imagine circumstances. We also have the highest respect for the Lardil and Bentnick Island people of Mornington Island. Kind Regards Allan
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:42:28 +0000
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