Pirlangimpi, or Garden Point, is one of two communities on Melville Island and comprises approximately 350 people.
Facilities include a primary school, a police station, a small supermarket, a creche, a clinic, a social club and an airport and the Munupi Art Centre. Freight barges come twice a week via Auriga and there are regular flights to and from Darwin on Fly Tiwi, twice a day Monday to Friday and once a day Saturday and Sundays.
The Club is open four days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30, light and mid strength beer only.
Things to do!
Check out the amazing arts, crafts and other works by Pirlangimpi community members!
Munupi Arts & Crafts Association
Munupi Arts & Crafts Association is located along Melville Islands north-western coastline at Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) and is the most recently formed art centre on the Tiwi Islands. In 1990 the Yikikini Women’s Centre and Pirlangimpi Pottery were incorporated under the name Munupi Arts and Crafts Association giving local artists an opportunity to proudly celebrate Tiwi culture through both traditional and contemporary mediums.
Drawing inspiration from their natural lush environment and Tiwi creation stories, Munupi artists employ ochres, gouache and acrylic paint. Munupi Arts and Crafts are also highly regarded for the diversity of their range of works including painting, pottery, carving, weaving, screen prints, etchings, linocut prints, lithographs and screen printed textiles.
To see more amazing art check out their Instagram page!
TITEB Women's Centre
The TITEB Women’s Coordinator in Pirlangimpi, Deborah Rasmussen, is making sure women are being trained up in what they want to do, skills that are beneficial to them and the community. “It’s not at the point yet where it’s self-sufficient, but that’s the eventual goal,” she said.
Sewing is a big focus. Women sew a lot of clothes and it saves them a lot of money. They love their skirts and handbags, they make babies’ clothes and clothes for their families, clothes for funerals. They do a discounted price for Tiwis, or women can come in and help make their own.
Once the shop is selling more, the women will get the customer service and money-handling skills. They would like to get computers so they can learn online ordering and finance. Eventually, they’d like a beauty area for hair and make-up.
The Women’s Centre is about having a hub where everyone feels comfortable and has some fun. All the money they make goes back to the Women’s Centre so it’s a good incentive. The more people they have making and selling things, the more money they have to take people to the Darwin Art Fair, or the Fashion Show.