Rhonda Parry and Paul Cook (left) with supporters Megan Irving from Community Owned Enterprises (bottom centre) and Jacob Walsh, executive director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at Torres and Cape Hospital and Health service (far right) at Napranum’s Piccaninni Day. They’re pictured with other TCHHS staff, and community members. Photo: Supplied.
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware this article contains the name of a deceased person.
An important cultural, social, and creative space at Napranum on the Cape has sadly shut its doors after four years due to a lack of funding.
Na’Muk’A’Run Mob coordinator Rhonda Parry and Paul Cook shut the doors of the Na’Muk’A’Run Yarning Shed in the remote Indigenous community for the final time on Friday 11 September.
The Na’Muk’A’Run (No Mucking Around) Mob community initiative developed by the late Mr Budby ran the space, supported by other traditional owners and elders from Napranum, Weipa and Mapoon.
The Yarning Shed was designed to empower young people and provide them with opportunities to have a say about matters set to affect their future. More than 70 people were regular visitors and enjoyed the support of the shed.
“The Yarning Shed team extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone that helped make the shed such a vibrant and inclusive place,” a statement by not-for profit Community Owned Enterprises reads.
Rhonda Parry represented the Yarning Shed at community events like this careers expo, explaining the many things on offer at the shed. Photo: Community Owned Enterprises.
“While it’s disappointing that the lack of ongoing funding means the Yarning Shed cannot continue to support the community in the way they have been, the Na’Muk”A’Run Mob can be extremely proud of the impact they have achieved over the past four years.
“The friendships, confidence, cultural connections and community spirit developed through the Yarning Shed project will remain part of Napranum for many years to come.”
At first, up to three staff led by Jack Wipa mentored participants in local work projects and began to record and preserve the local Thaynakwith language.
The group secured its first grant and the Yarning Shed at the Kuku’nathi Services Hub in Napranum officially came to be.
Ms Parry said the shed was a drop-in space that became a trusted point of connection for community members looking for information, support, friendship, participation and belonging.
“The Yarning shed is all about bringing in the community and especially the young people in it,” she said.
“We want the community to see what we are doing and how we can create (opportunities) moving forward.
“To make them understand they are not alone, we are here.”
Community Owned Enterprises and Kuku’nathi Services partnered and won a Social Isolation and Loneliness Grant for the Na’Muk’A’Run Mob in 2023.
The money helped the Yarning Shed expand, with three permanent workers onboard. Additions included new games, an art room and a commercial washing machine and dryer.
‘Becc’ from Community Owned Enterprises often offered free community haircuts when visiting to support the Yarning Shed. Photo: Supplied.
Support providers and health organisations, as well other community organisations, took advantage of the space at Napranum and the number of people using the shed ballooned. More programs were offered due to the popularity of the space.
The shed was home of the Get Ready, Get Set, Go program in the community, funded through the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. The program involved 10 people building literacy, language, numeracy and digital skills.
Community Owned Enterprises project coordinator Rebecca-Jane Smith gave members of the community haircuts during visits to the shed, and a community band got its start during the Yarning Shed’s Big Jams.
Music proved to be a powerful tool for bringing people together at the shed and guitar, keyboard and bongo drum lessons helped build friendships.
The Big Jams led to the formation of the Yarning Shed Community Band, which performed at recent Piccinini Day community celebrations. Some in the band used to be quite isolated, but had become active and social.
The Yarning Shed band performing at Picaninni Day. Photo: Community Owned Enterprises.
Staff have regularly been seen out and about in the wider community, visiting elders, people with mobility challenges and carers.
Community Owned Enterprises said in a statement that the Yarning Shed enjoyed strong partnerships with local and state organisations including Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, Community Justice Groups, EMG Inclusive Supports, Apunipima, and Cape York Health.
