Overview
Kowanyama is an indigenous community of approximately twelve hundred people with landholdings encompassing the Mitchell River delta and the lower reaches of the Alice River located in the south-western region of Cape York Peninsula in North Queensland, Australia. The community comprises the direct descendants of the indigenous inhabitants of the lower Mitchell and Alice Rivers, and neighbouring areas now held by pastoral tenants. The Kowanyama Trust Area remains relatively untouched by growing population pressures and attendant activities of the east coast and other parts of urban and rural Australia. The Kowanyama Council has a land and resource Management Policy for trust lands, which will remain wildlife populations and allow the traditional lifestyle of the Aboriginal community to be practised.
Established and working in partnership with Apunipima Cape York Health Council since 2006, Apunipima has worked in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctors Service to deliver training to the Hat Teams in Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw.
Kowanyama has completed the initial programs that included: Good Governance,Building Effective Volunteer Community Committees & Holding Community Meetings, Strategic Planning & Evaluation, Community Development,Advocacy, Conflict Management, Communications, Submission Writing, Marketing & Promotion, Service Planning.
Health Action Team
Kowanyama Health Action Team meets Monthly with the Clinic to work on community issues and issues with service delivery and at other times when quick action is needed, they are involved in the recruitment of Clinic Staff.
Have also begun program planning around some of the important Health issues in Kowanyama. The Health Action Team recently held a community activities day called "silent voices" to promote the care and safety of our kids.
Our Health Action team members are;
- Mr. Thomas Hudson (Chairperson) Mayor
- Ms. Dalanne Zingle (Deputy Chairperson)
- Ms. Josie Creek (Secretary)
- Mr. Robbie Sands Jnr (Deputy Ceo)
- Mr. Bob Coakley (Supervisor CDEP)
- Ms. Evelyn Birchley (Health Worker)
- Ms. Pricilla Major (Coordinator Justice)
- Ms. Judith Brumby (Mothers & Babies)