Djamika Ganambarr grew up in the remote homeland community of GanGan. After completing his schooling through the Yirrkala Homelands School education system he commenced on a path that would ultimately lead him to find a job that enveloped his passions, skills and talents.
Djamika is a natural born leader of youth – his charisma is infectious and the children of GanGan adore him. He is today employed as a (Trainee) Youth Worker through Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation’s Youth Program, running daily activities with the young people in his homeland – role modelling the importance of physical, mental, social, emotional and cultural health whilst supporting a vision to build the confidence and knowledge of homelands youth to ensure they grow up with the skills to balance the two worlds – both the Yolngu world, and the mainstream dominant culture.
The homeland of GanGan is located in Northeast Arnhem Land, approximately three hours’ drive from the township of Nhulunbuy. GanGan is home to approximately 80 Yolngu, half of which are children or youth.
One of Djamika’s passions is football – Aussie Rules.
At the beginning of April 2018, in line with the local Gove AFL football season commencing, the boys and girls of GanGan, under Djamika’s careful guidance and support, built the ‘GanGan G’ – an open space in the community was mown by hand, cleared of rocks, bushes, old fence posts and termite mounds; bush goal posts were cut and erected – the photos say it all.
Since the ‘GanGan G’ has been built, AFLNT’s Andrew Wainwright has run a number of clinics in the community, which culminated in an inter-homelands showdown between the homeland of GanGan and Wandawuy in the July school holidays. Again, the photos speak for themselves!
The role Djamika plays in his community is both inspirational and greatly important. Through his work at GanGan, Djamika gives young people a reason to stay in their communities – ways of engaging them in positive activities, avoiding the draw of the bright city lights and the influences of town.
It is the wishes of the GanGan traditional owners that the Laynha Youth Program plays this role for their young people, whilst providing them with knowledge of the dominant culture so they can learn to walk in two worlds.
Thank you to AFLNT for their support of the GanGan youth and community; to Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation for their on-going support of the homeland communities and to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for their funding of the Laynha Youth Program
