Haasts Bluff is 227 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The community lies on a rough dirt road leading to nowhere in particular. But something good is happening at Haasts Bluff.

Two Yirara students were commissioned to paint for local territory member Ms Robyn Lambley MLA.

International Year of Youth Ambassador for the United Nations and movie celebrity, Ms Monique Coleman gave a short presentation to Yirara College students during her recent national tour.

Chief Administrator for the Northern Territory, The Honourable Mr Tom Pauling and his wife, toured Yirara College during a recent visit to open the parliamentary sitting in Alice Springs.

Josiah Jackson completed Year 12 in 2010 while boarding at Yirara College.

Alex has gained employment at Birrendudu Station (near WA border) through the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association.

Twenty women from Aileron, Alice Springs, Docker River, Ilamarta, Imanpa, Mutitjulu, Ntaria and Utju attended the second FRM course at Ampiyata Outstation on the weekend of 15–17 April.

The first Big Course for 2011 was held at Yirara College from 8–13 May. About forty people attended the course, including ten women (the biggest attendance yet for women).

Pastor Ray Morris, field worker for the Anmatjere and Alyawarra people, gives us a taste of his ‘day at the office’ as he travels to desert communities supporting Word and Sacrament ministry.

So many Aboriginal central Australians, including Lutherans, struggle with the challenge of alcohol addiction. The life-destroying effect of alcohol in central Australia has been well documented.