Story: Island Trumps Ingrid
A tiny community fights back after a cyclone destroys their school.
The tiny community of Minjilang on Croker Island, 200km northeast of Darwin, was one of the worst-hit areas when Cyclone Ingrid raged through the region at winds of up to 290 kph in March last year.
Fortunately no-one was injured; however the community’s buildings sustained some major damage, including the island’s Mamaruni School, which was destroyed.
“The community and the students had a hard year trying to rebuild their community and come to terms with the cyclone,” says Rainee Herron, one of the teachers at the school.
But together the island’s 300 residents have pieced their community back together, with the new school almost complete.
“ This year our students have all returned to school,” says Rainee, “and our numbers are the highest they have been in a long time.”
The staff and students worked hard to keep things going, with teachers running classes on the building site.
“I am proud to be apart of Mamaruni school and the successes we have achieved,” says Rainee.