GALIWINKU

formerly Elcho Island, island in the Arafura Sea, 2 miles (3 km) across Cadell Strait from Napier Peninsula, a part of Northern Territory, Australia, and of the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve. It is low-lying, 30 miles (48 km) long by 7 miles (11 km) wide, and is separated from the Wessel Islands (east) by Brown Strait. The town of Galiwinku, on the southwestern coast, which began as a Methodist mission (established 1947), is administered by an Aboriginal town council. It is the largest Arnhem Land Aboriginal community, with a population at times as large as 1,400. Rice and other tropical crops are grown. Pop. (1986) town, 1,026.