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We are excited to announce that earlier this month, a satellite-based internet connection called Starlink was installed at the Lilla outstation in the Watarrka National Park thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Rotary Club of Moorabbin, long-time friends and donors of the Watarrka Foundation. 

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, an American spacecraft and satellite communications corporation founded by the world's second richest man, Elon Musk. 

Starlink consists of a constellation of low-orbiting, small satellites which communicate with ground transceivers to transmit an internet connection to remote and underserved areas of the planet which would otherwise have poor to no internet access, such as the Watarrka region. 

Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of Moorabbin, a Starlink system has been installed at the Lilla outstation, and a 12-month subscription to the service has been funded, enabling the community of Lilla to access a fast and secure internet connection. 

The Rotary Club of Moorabbin

The Rotary Club of Moorabbin is based in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It is a small club, one of 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world. Rotary began as a business network over 110 years ago and has since evolved into an international service organisation which seeks to provide humanitarian aid and promote good will and peace throughout the world.

Moorabbin Rotary contributes to a diverse range of causes. For over 50 years, the club has supported sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and research projects which target prevention and treatment for the chronic and painful disease. The club helped build a speciality home for sufferers of MS, and funds a Telelink expert panel of specialists so people with MS who live in regional Victoria can talk to experts and share their experience with others affected by the disease. 

The Rotary Club of Moorabbin also supports several projects in the bayside area of Melbourne for mothers and children’s safety and well-being who are homeless because of family violence or other reasons. The club raises funds by hosting an annual Charity Golf Day, as well as the weekly Bentleigh Sunday Market, a bric-a-brac community market most famous for boasting a range of cheap nursery plants. 

Moorabbin Rotary and the Watarrka School

In 2019, the Rotary Club of Moorabbin became involved with the Watarrka Foundation through their support of the Watarrka School in Lilla, first through the funding of desktop computers for the new classroom, and later through the joint funding of a much-needed air-conditioning system. Geoff Gray, former president, current community director and long-time member of the Rotary Club of Moorabbin, attended the opening ceremony of the second classroom of the Watarrka School.

Above: Geoff Gray (Moorabbin Rotary Club) presenting a cheque to Christine Munro (Teacher at the Watarrka School) in 2019.

 

In 2022, the Watarrka School in Lilla was closed for the unforeseeable future, a decision made by the Northern Territory Department of Education in response to the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, namely the shortage of teachers and the movement of local communities to urban areas, particularily Alice Springs. 

The Rotary Club of Moorabbin chose to fund the Starlink system for Lilla as an extension of their ongoing support for the Watarrka School at Lilla, with the hope that the school will soon re-open with the return of community. 

It is our hope that Starlink will encourage students and community to come back to the Lilla outstation. - Geoff Gray

Starlink internet system will enable children living in the Lilla region to access online education by School of the Air, as well as provide the community access to online medical support, tertiary educational opportunities and employment opportunities. 

On behalf of all of us at the Watarrka Foundation, a huge thank you to the Rotary Club of Moorabbin for their generous ongoing support.

Going forward, the Watarrka Foundation aims to fund and establish Starlink systems at the Wanmarra and Ulpanyali outstations.

To learn more about the Rotary Club of Moorabbin: https://rotarymoorabbin.org.au/

To learn more about Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/technology

To support the Foundation and our projects within the Northern Territory, make a donation at www.givenow.com.au/watarrkafoundation