His Royal Highness visits communities in Gove and Darwin

Published 09 April 2018

The Prince of Wales has visited Gove and Darwin on the penultimate day of the Royal visit to Australia.

To start the day, His Royal Highness visited an indigenous community in Nhulunbuy, which is on the Gove Peninsula. On arrival, The Prince was handed a woomera - a traditional spear-throwing device - as he was greeted by aboriginal leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu.

His Royal Highness went on to take part in a colourful welcome ceremony where he was presented with a feather-stringed headdress, called a Malka String, and a string basket known as a Bathi.

The Prince joined a procession and watched the singing and dancing of the Rirratjingu people atop sacred Nhulun Hill.

The Prince then went to the top of Roy Marika Lookout to find out about the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area.

The Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation was created to help facilitate protection, conservation and sustainability of the natural resources in the area. Many of the rangers are from the Rirratjingu Clan – one of the traditional owner clans in the area.

Next, The Prince of Wales visited the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre to learn about the rich culture and artistic heritage of the Gumatj Corporation. On a tour of the centre, which showcases the work of the area's indigenous people, The Prince took part in a Yidaki healing ceremony, where a didgeridoo was blown close to his chest.

World-renowned didgeridoo master Djalu Gurriwiwi performed the 30-second blessing, after which His Royal Highness smiled and said: "I feel better already!"

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Darwin in 1963 and today, The Prince of Wales had a chance to see a video of that moment, as well as go on a tour of the art being created and find out about work being done in the area - such as furniture making.

The Prince spoke to people whose work was displayed at the centre and admired their intricate pieces.

In the evening, His Royal Highness attended a Royal Flying Doctor reception in Darwin to celebrate the Northern Territory’s multicultural community. The Prince is Patron of the charity, which provides emergency medical and primary health care services to anyone who lives, works or travels in rural and remote Australia.