By Order of Malta volunteer, Jocelyn Cull

On Sunday 13 October, ten volunteers from the St Vincent de Paul Society NT and the Order of Malta NT, gathered at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral. At 5.30am, the small convoy with vehicles loaded with supplies, set-off on a journey to Emu Point through some of the Territory’s most striking country.

Emu Point sits in the heart of the Daly River region, approximately 220 kilometres southwest of Darwin. The journey there starts on sealed roads, but these soon change to dusty, corrugated dirt tracks as you get closer to the community. During the wet season, flooding cuts off these roads completely, leaving Emu Point isolated for several months of the year.

The four-hour drive took the volunteers through a landscape where ancient escarpments rise dramatically and meet vast savannah woodlands. This visit marked another step in strengthening the longstanding connection with the Emu Point community.

As remarked by one of our wonderful volunteers, “this journey is not just about bringing supplies –  it is about strengthening our bonds with our brothers and sisters and showing that distance is no barrier to friendship and support. Every kilometre we travel reinforces our ongoing commitment to walking alongside them on their journey.”

Upon arrival, Fr Ched Mlokea celebrated Mass, bringing volunteers and community members together in shared faith. The morning unfolded naturally into conversation and connection, with children playing. Although the volunteers distributed clothing, food, and piety goods, the true value of the day lay in the relationships renewed and strengthened.

This collaboration between the Order of Malta and St Vincent the Paul Society NT exemplifies Catholic social teaching in action. It demonstrates how our faith community reaches out to and supports our brothers and sisters across the vast expanses of the Territory, regardless of distance or difficulty.