Lockhart River residents used this year’s Paytham Malkari Festival as a “vantage point” to look back on 100 years of the community and focus on the next century, according to council chief executive officer David Clarke. Photo: Black Star Radio.
Residents of Lockhart River have used last month’s Paytham Malkari Festival to mark 100 years of the eastern Cape York community and look towards the next century of its evolution and growth.
About 300 visitors made the journey to Lockhart River to join the community in its celebration, with the earlier date proving a recipe for success, according to Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive officer David Clarke.
“The festival was great,” he said.
“It was probably a step up from last year, admittedly though, that was in mid- to late-November last year, so there were more tourists here for it.
“It’s sort of a balancing act at the moment – we’re trying to work out where our capacity is numbers wise.”
With visiting dance groups from Pormpuraaw and Bamaga adding to the centenary celebration, Mr Clarke said the festival had been a “vantage point” to look back at the community’s history and determine what the future held for it.
“It gave a vantage point to look back and see where they’ve come from,” he said.
“We’ve had about 50 years at the old [Lockhart River Mission] site and 50 [years] or so at the new site, so it’s a different vantage point to look forward and see where we’re going for the next 100 years.
“Now as a mainstream local government, we’re in charge of our own destiny.”
As the community focuses on its future and unlocking economic development opportunities, Mr Clarke said next year’s festival would return in September to capitalise on dry season tourists and the school holidays.
“The target date will be the last week of September,” he said.
“Next year it may very well be a dance and music festival; we’ll see what the committee wants to do.”
