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Mayor Michael Yam Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council

Kowanyama means “place of many waters” in the Yir Yoront language. The community includes the Kokoberra, Yir Yoront [or Kokomenjen] and Kunjen clans, who each have language and other cultural differences.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire consists of beautiful and unique wetlands and delta mangroves in the north, extending to forest country of the central peninsula. Kowanyama is a remote indigenous community lying over 600kms northwest of Cairns. Road access is only available 4-5 months of the year during the dry season, at other times the community is only accessible by air. The community has a population of approximately 1,200 people of which over 95% identified as Indigenous and has a median age range of 26 years.

The community which is classified as being significantly disadvantaged, is ranked in the first decile of the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) and

has an unemployment rate of 11.9%, way above the Queensland average.

Kowanyama has had to cope with a large number of deaths, including suicides and a number of disasters in recent years, one was in 2016, which was a year of extreme sadness for our community and one we would gladly like to put behind us, with the very sad instance of a vehicle being driven through a funeral gathering, killing and maiming a number of community members.

The Kowanyama community has had a history of youth crime, school truancy, youth suicide and general disengagement of acceptable community standards. In our attempt to save our young

mayor's message

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from themselves we had to come up with a plan to keep them occupied. The nominated social precinct project gives social activities to all age groups within the community.

Kowanyama are continually striving to ensure all infrastructure projects are beneficial to the community. Currently we are in the process of developing Stage 1 of an airport terminal. Currently Kowanyama airport consists of a toilet block with no-where to sit out of the elements whilst waiting for your plane. Everyone knows, airports are a great networking spot. We are also in the process of developing a mens shed, womens meeting place and an arts and culture centre to enable community members to develop and display their artworks.

Receiving the Excellence Award with Deputy Mayor Territa Dick and Jacqui Cresswell.

Proud to represent the community, receiving the IPWEAQ Excellence Award.

Ride Safe Bike Path plan.