Last night Queensland State of Origin captain Johnathan Thurston voiced his support for the town of Aurukun, after ongoing unrest in the North Queensland community.
In post-match comments after his team’s win, the captain sent a message to Aurukun school children:
“I just want to say a quick hello to the Aurukun State School… There’s obviously been a lot of trouble up there, so to all the students there, I just want you to believe in yourselves and keep turning up to school.”
Aurukun Shire Council Mayor Dereck Walpo said Thurston was a hero for the community’s children.
“JT’s message was the talk of the town today and I hope it inspires Aurukun children to stick with their schooling.”
The town has been making headlines over the past week, following several violent incidents. The local principal was carjacked and threatened with weapons on two separate occasions.
This morning, Mayor Walpo released a statement, addressing the reports.
“In view of the many diverging views being expressed from afar, I wish to submit the following observations as the leader of the democratically elected local government Aurukun Shire Council (ASC),” the mayor said in the statement.
“ASC is the main service provider of essential services including airport, roads, bank, post office, sewerage, water, housing maintenance, garbage, aged care and child care.”
The mayor said the Council is looking to fix the area’s beleaguered education system: “ASC strongly favours a review of the direct instruction model provided by CYAAA [Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy]”.
“ASC is concerned that in the past five years there has been five principals, thus limiting the continuity of education in Aurukun.”
The Council said it is examining ways to tackle curb illegal behaviour and better engage its youth.
“ASC wishes a broad range of options to be explored for the positive engagement of the local disengaged youth, which number more than 50. ASC favours the local APN Ranger Program as an appropriate option in addition to the existing PCYC activities.
“ASC reiterates that the views of families, men’s and women’s groups plus elders must be taken on board. It is important that the whole community contributes positively to improving our problems.
“Of course, the necessity for discipline and better control at home is required to hopefully diminish the current status of illegal and anti-social behaviour.”
