In late April, the Lockhart River community came together for the regular Joint Services event hosted by Cape York Employment (CYE). Held over multiple days, the event brought essential government and community services under one roof – helping locals access IDs, licences, health support and job-readiness tools in one convenient location.
CYE saw a strong turnout of locals seeking practical support to improve their lives by securing employment, obtaining identification and more. Whether it involved sorting out birth certificates, applying for a learner’s licence, or receiving flu vaccinations, community members took full advantage of the services on offer.
For Samuwella Donahau and Violet Sakawai, it was their first time attending a Joint Services event and it won’t be the last. Both passed their learner’s licence test and Samuwella updated her birth certificate on-site.
“Everyone was very helpful,” she said. “I’ve been trying to go to the police station to do it, but I needed to change my birth certificate. I can’t actually wait to start driving.”
Others, like Shenika Butcher, came in for one reason and left with much more. After arriving to go for her learner’s licence, Shenika also opted to get a flu vaccination.
“The staff made it all very easy so I would tell anyone to go down. It’s important to get protected against the flu,” she said.
For Gernita Creek, the event was just another step forward in what’s already been a big year. After walking into the CYE office looking for work, she landed a role at the local health centre within a week. She then passed her driving test during the event and says support from CYE has been a game-changer.
“They are pretty good in here,” she said.
The service is never disappointing and is always satisfying. It would have been much more difficult to get the job I have and my licence if CYE was not here helping in the community.
Lockhart River resident Gernita Creek
Solomon Accoom, a former member of the CYE Yard Crew, used his experience to land a role at the local supermarket and is now working towards a job in the mines.
“This is much better than living off Centrelink. It is helping me pay things off,” he said. “CYE is really good and they helped me by giving me a job just to start me off.”
Solomon took full advantage of Joint Services to begin sorting his licence out so he can start searching for his job in the mines.
Jahanee Gordon, another Yard Crew worker, is on a mission to bring more young people into the fold.
“Mowing the grass and cleaning up is good for the community,” he said. “I’m trying to get a lot of young boys to come in and sign up, instead of wasting their time and stuff like that .”
Long-time yard crew member Dennis Claudie joined Jahanee at the recent joint services event and traded their usual tools for some tongs and spatulates as they cooked sausages for the community to enjoy.
Feedback from service providers was equally positive. The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) flew into Lockhart with a Queensland Health immunisation nurse to deliver flu shots and mental health support, invited by CYE’s Aunty .
The April Joint Services event proved that when services come to Country, community turns up and moves forward together. From new licences and updated IDs to fresh jobs and flu shots, locals left better equipped for the road ahead.
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