Busy term. Bright futures. ✨
- communityspiritfound
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Last week, SNAICC – the National Voice for our Children – released its annual Family Matters Report. The report reiterates what we already know – that investment should be made in families, not crisis, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled programming works.
It has been wonderful to reflect on 2025 as the year that we have stood up our own programs that aim to support strong, healthy families, and vibrant, resilient communities.
We have established a mobile laundry and healthy hair program in Wurrumiyanga, contributed to the development of a curriculum-aligned wellbeing program in Galiwin’ku, run an eight-week rugby tournament in Woorabinda and supported early years education in Palm Island and Woorabinda.
Each of these programs aims to address determinants that impact a child’s ability to access education. For example, if a student suffers from chronic skin conditions, has poor social and emotional wellbeing, or is engaged in anti-social behaviour because they lack access to pro-social activities, they will face barriers to attending school and thriving once they’re there.
These programs are on top of our legacy school engagement and retention programs that incentivise and celebrate school attendance and participation.
None of this would be possible without the partners and supporters who have believed in our vision and contributed to our work. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wishing you and your family all the best for a safe and happy festive season.
Shellee Strickland
Murrup CEO
Here's what we achieved in 2025 with your support:
Donate to Murrup this Christmas and you’ll support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in our four partner communities to be free to create the future of their dreams.
We thank you for your support.
Celebrating the future
Eleven students from across our four-partner remote Aboriginal communities have shown incredible hard work, resilience and determination to graduate Year 12 this year.
Each graduate demonstrates a powerful story of perseverance, and has been supported by their family, school, community and programs. These young leaders have overcome unique challenges to reach this milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.
To the graduates: congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment. We can’t wait to see what you do next, whether you continue your studies, step into the workforce, or give back to your community in your own meaningful ways.
Xavier Catholic College student, Cameron (pictured), is one of Wurrumiyanga’s Year 12 graduates. Cameron completed work experience with Murrup during the year and has already secured a job. Congratulations, Cameron!
More than a game … building community through sport
When our staff in Woorabinda identified a need for a local rugby event in Woorabinda, even they couldn’t have predicted the success of the Four Corners Tournament.
Each week, up to 50 children aged six to 12 laced up their boots and took to the field. But they got more than just improved technical skills. The Four Corners Tournament provided a safe, fun, and engaging activity that promoted health and wellbeing for the entire community. It also created weekly opportunities for Murrup staff to connect with participants and their families, offering support, guidance, and referrals to additional services where needed.
The tournament was delivered in partnership with PCYC and the Queensland Police service, and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who underwent a series of training modules.
Murrup’s Woorabinda Community Manager Khanita Sukaserm said she was so proud of the program.
‘There was always an amazing turn out; families, kids and community coming together for our social, cultural and wellbeing,’ she said.
‘And most importantly showing up for our kids so that they can have something fun to enjoy.’
Tiwi program serving new looks and healthy hair
A pop-up salon provided children and young people in Wurrumiyanga with more than just a glow-up; it was also an opportunity for lice treatments, skin health education, and health checks.
Across four huge days, it was all hands on deck for our Tiwi team, as 150 people received haircuts and colours by the Deadly Hair Dude, and almost every primary and high school student received lice treatments from Janine at Lice Docs Australia.
It was the first hair service on the Island in over three years.
Murrup teamed up with the local schools and the health clinic to complete student health checks.
A big thank you to Red Cross, the local schools, and the whole community for getting on board with the program.
This was part of Murrup’s Neighbourhood Support program, which aims to create spaces for connection, dignity and community pride.
Rewarding attendance and participation
As part of our School Engagement and Retention stream, we partner with seven schools across four remote communities to reward and incentivise attendance. This term we awarded 319 awards to some incredible young students:
✨19 awards in Wurrumiyanga
✨59 awards in Galiwin’ku
✨141 in Woorabinda
✨100 in Palm Island
These awards represent attendance and participation and we’re so proud of each and every awardee for their hard work and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to the families, teachers and communities who continue to inspire and support these young stars.
Youth groups providing safe spaces
Following the success of the Yangali Girls Nights in Wurrumiyanga, Murrup has developed the Numuriyaka Boys' Program, which provides a safe, inclusive space for 13- to 17-year-old men.
The program is designed to improve social and emotional health and wellbeing by providing:
Prosocial activities such as carving, fishing, music, art etc. chosen by participants
Mentoring and support
Discussions about healthy relationships
Referrals to health services
Pathways to our Pupuni Jarrumaka/Strong Transitions program
Provision of food and brokerage for other products
We look forward to continuing the program in 2026.
Driving towards bright futures
For some young people in Woorabinda - a remote community 170 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton - getting their 100 supervised driving hours can be tricky. So, we partnered with Moura Driving School to give them the experience they need to get their driver’s licence.
Every Monday and Tuesday during Term 4, 10 young people went straight from school to complete their driving hours. Happily, this has also led to an increase in school attendance too as they demonstrate commitment to their studies, and to gaining independence.
The road ahead is looking bright. 🌟
Walking in two worlds of wellbeing
In our partner community of Galiwin’ku, our local team is helping with an exciting new project. The project - called Limurruŋ Dhukarr (‘Our Path’ in Yolŋu matha) - aims to create a whole-of-school wellbeing curriculum, blending traditional Yolŋu culture and concepts with non-Yolŋu approaches. Topics will range from indentity and self care to healthy relationships, and it will be launched in early 2026.
Team leader Maggie Mutuwili has already received positive feedback:
“Working in wellbeing has been a great experience, and the kids having us in their classroom, (they’re) always asking when are we coming over for a wellbeing session? The shared values around wellbeing, openness and collaboration have made work effective and fulfiling.”
By creating a curriculum alongside Yolŋu people, the goal is for high engagement, leading to improved social and emotional wellbeing for the students. This will have a ripple effect onto a sense of connection to learning, increasing attendance numbers and giving older students more options to steer their future at the end of schooling.
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