Golf has a reputation for being expensive and exclusive -- but on this island in Bass Strait, things are a bit more relaxed.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images of a person who has died. It was 2013, and a public meeting was drawing to a close in one of Australia's most remote communities -- Truwana / Cape Barren Island , in Bass Strait.
Truwana/Cape Barren Island sits off the north coast of Tasmania and is home to about 80 people, most of whom are Indigenous.The local Aboriginal community had been independently running the island since 2005, when the Tasmanian government handed the land back.But when Furley raised the idea at that meeting, John remembers every hand shooting up in support.With permission from the local Aboriginal Association Inc and the Aboriginal Land Council, John got mowing.John's mother was not a keen golfer herself, but Furley was thrilled to see her idea come to fruition.The views on these remote fairways rival those of any prestigious course in the country.There are no tailored trousers or neatly pressed polo shirts.John cares for the course as a volunteer, and describes himself as "greenkeeper, organiser, manager, player -- everything"."It's a place to come and nobody worries about anything but the golf ... we don't have any carry-on," he said.John insists his course doesn't promote drugs, but he likes that the name on the sign makes people chuckle when they say it out loud.he said.But like the land it sits on, Marra Wunna golf course is not designed with rich tourists in mind.Marra Wunna's weekly hole-in-one competition sees players put forward a few dollars each to create a prize money pool.Luana Towney is a regular. Like many people on the island, the first time she played golf was on this course. "It doesn't matter if you're good at golf or not, people support you and people laugh at each other,"One of the best players on the island is Tim Maynard.But Tim is not in it for the glory. "I reckon it feels better when someone else gets a good shot in and you can celebrate it, join in it," he said.Unconventionally, John has even added backboards on the greens to give people a better shot. Buck Brown, a senior ranger on the island, remembers when football was played on the grass at Marra Wunna.Buck said while golf was not a "traditional" sport for Aboriginal people, it had become a key part of life on the island."One of the strongest things I've seen in this community, to actually pull the community together, has been this golf club, " Buck said. "I've seen it get a lot of people out of the houses in the community ... and out walking on Country, that's what it's all about."John is thrilled people enjoy the place he puts so much work into, and he gets a lot of joy from maintaining it, too. "Especially the day after I've mowed, there's a certain smell out here then, you've got fresh-cut grass," he said.Analysis by Gareth Hutchens
Truwana John Gairdner Marra Wunna Cape Barren Island Cape Barren Island Golf Course Marra Wunna Golf Course Remote Island Bass Strait Island Golf Course
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